• New York Post, Tuesday, February 14, 2006 12 PM

Michael Eisner just can’t let go.  According to a story in today’s New York Post, the former Disney boss tried to foil Disney’s recent acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios by lobbying board members to vote against the $7.4 billion deal. His efforts failed and the deal went through, but not for lack of effort by Eisner, the Post said. Eisner remains one of Disney's largest individual shareholders: he owns about 14.6 million shares in the company, a stake worth close to $400 million. The Pixar acquisition was the first big deal for Eisner’s handpicked successor, Bob Iger, who Eisner appeared to undermine with his efforts to scuttle the plan.  The Post said such a deal could never have happened under Eisner’s tenure because the Disney boss had alienated Pixar chief Steve Jobs, who agreed to cut the deal only after Eisner has left the company.  A spokesman for Eisner said: "We don't comment on rumor, but Mr. Iger has Mr. Eisner's complete support in sustaining the growth of Disney."  Since stepping down from Disney in October--about a year earlier than originally planned--Eisner has been casting about for new opportunities.

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