Disney insiders say Bob Iger seriously considered a run for the White House, and his decision to drop the idea is a big reason he ended up back at Disney.

• Iger's interest in running for president was an open secret inside Disney, and it took shape in recent years, not a decade or more ago.
• One likely reason he never ran: he could not count on backing from a political party.
• Plans he had lined up for life after Disney fell through, including bringing an NFL team to Los Angeles.
• With those doors closed, he reclaimed the CEO job — meaning Bob Chapek would probably still be running Disney if the politics had worked out.
• Iger is treated as the best dealmaker in media, having pulled off the Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and Fox deals that all looked risky at the time.

Outlook: Iger stays focused on Disney and the search for his successor rather than any political run.