Disney’s gaming leader Jay Ong files a discrimination lawsuit

Disney Executive Sues Company Over Discrimination Claims

The head of Disney’s gaming division, which produces well-known video games like Spider-Man and Star Wars, has initiated a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company, seeking $40 million in damages due to alleged discrimination.

Jay Ong, a prominent executive, asserts in court documents that the company negatively impacted him by cutting his bonuses and incentives.

These reductions followed Ong’s claims that human resources executives had reached out to executive coaches without his consent.

Ong alleges that Natalia Strauch, vice president of human resources for Disney Global Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, was attempting to “dig up dirt” on him. This accusation arose after a meeting in February 2025, where Strauch suggested that Ong was not a good “cultural” fit for the organization.

The 56-year-old gaming executive reports that his bonus dropped from $367,117 in 2024 to $325,000 in 2025, even though he generated $500 million in revenue. Additionally, his incentive bonus decreased from $770,000 to $620,000, according to the lawsuit.

Ong’s base salary remains at $550,000, contributing to a total compensation in the millions over 2024 and 2025.

Despite his performance being described as “extraordinary,” Ong claims he was informed that the bonus cuts were not performance-related, yet his salary was lowered nonetheless.

The documents highlight that, despite recognizing Mr. Ong’s impressive performance and the department’s strong profitability, the defendants retaliated by sending harmful messages and reducing his pay in an attempt to force him out.

Furthermore, the filing suggests that this behavior reflects a broader pattern of discrimination against the limited number of employees of Asian descent at Disney.

Ong is pursuing $40 million in damages.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he continues to work at Disney, overseeing games for Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Disney & Pixar.

He manages a global portfolio featuring some of the industry’s most iconic brands, including Spider-Man, Star Wars, Alien vs. Predator, Toy Story, and Avatar.