Penn Entertainment Overhauls Corporate Ranks Following End of ESPN Bet
Posted on: January 5, 2026, 07:11h.
Last updated on: January 5, 2026, 07:11h.
- Regional casino operator makes sweeping changes to its leadership team.
- Changes arrive two months after ESPN Bet relationship was eliminated.
- Two executive vice presidents are out.
Nearly two months to the day after the company announced the end of the ESPN Bet relationship, Penn Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) unveiled sweeping changes to its executive team.
The Pennsylvania-based regional casino operator said Executive Vice Presidents Todd George and Rich Primus, the latter of whom also served as chief information officer (CIO), are leaving the company and their positions will be eliminated.
PENN’s current Senior Vice Presidents of Regional Operations — Rafael Verde, Aaron Rosenthal and Justin Carter — will continue their regional oversight of PENN’s retail operations, with Mr. Verde and Mr. Rosenthal reporting to (CEO) Mr. (Jay) Snowden and Mr. Carter reporting to Mr. Verde,” said the gaming company in a statement.
Penn added Chief Market Officer Jennifer Weissman will also report to Snowden while working extensively with Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive Aaron LaBerge.
Penn Changes Bring Clarity on LaBerge Role
Some analysts believe the changes at Penn, while perhaps initially met with skepticism by some investors, are encouraging in that the alterations bring clarity about LaBerge’s role with the company. He joined Penn nearly two years ago following a two-decade stint at Walt Disney, including time at ESPN.
In a note to clients following Penn’s announcement, Stifel analyst Jeffrey Stantial points out the changes are “likely appropriate” and will allow the gaming company to hone its digital gaming efforts, which could prove crucial as it attempts to bolster theScore while supporting its on-the-rise iGaming platform.
“While Aaron & Todd are effective leaders and PENN recently added Interactive-related BoD governance, we have argued for some time that PENN would benefit from leadership with prior experience building & scaling profitable OSB/iCasino brands,” observes the analyst. “Hence, we are encouraged to see management opt to add the role despite strategic focus on rationalizing fixed costs.”
He rates the stock “buy” with a $21 price target, implying upside of 38.7% from where the shares closed today.
Penn Placing Emphasis on Tech Centralization
Another takeaway from Penn’s announcement is that technology is an increasingly prominent of the Ameristar’s game plan with the company noting LaBerge will oversee all of the corporation’s enterprise technology functions and that it is looking for digital chief operating officer (COO).
Penn added it’s examining other opportunities that could “streamline” operations, drive cost savings and boost free cash flow, though it didn’t elaborate on those efforts will take shape.
“While we await a more fulsome update at Q4, we believe leadership changes can be read favorably to execution on the broader Interactive fixed cost reduction opportunity discussed on the Q3 call and subsequent competitor sell-side conferences,” concludes Stantial.
Last Comment ( 1 )
“While we await a more fulsome update at Q4, we believe leadership changes can be read favorably to execution on the broader Interactive fixed cost reduction opportunity discussed on the Q3 call and subsequent competitor sell-side conferences,” concludes Stantial.” if it looks like BS, sounds like BS then it probably is ……..