Wide World of Sports to be ESPN Branded

[VillanovaBlue]

From the ESPN website...

Disney Sports Complex Rebranded by ESPN

"Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. is being rebranded with the ESPN brand.
Plans are still in the development stage, but initial concepts call for incorporating ESPN elements throughout the 220-acre complex, which is a leading venue for amatuer and professional sports.
"Our involvement in the Disney sports complex will provide greater opportunities for us to connect directly with athletes, coaches and fans in a highly immersive way," George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN Inc. and ABC Sports, and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks said. "Our involvement also provides us with a unique and exciting new media platform that will enable our advertisers and sponsors to reach new customers and bring their products and services to life.''
Nearly two million athletes, coaches and spectators come through the complex each year."



Discuss...

 

[dxwwf3]

I am REALLY surprised it has taken this long.

 

[imamouse]

^^ Same here - ESPN is a very strong brand, so this will be good for the complex and WDW in general.

 

[MousDad]

Makes sense to me.

 

[lpet11984]

I am REALLY surprised it has taken this long.

I'll second/third that. That's synergy for you.

 

[Fun2BFree]

Now I'm just waiting for the All Star ESPN Sports Resort. :lookaroun

I welcome this change: WWoS is fairly bland without some form of tie-in.

 

[jmuboy]

Actually, "Disney's ESPN Sports Resort" is a GREAT idea to freshen up this resort.

 

[wdwmagic]

A bit more information on this now at http://www.wdwmagic.com/around.htm

 

[Enderikari]

Great, good name change, I can get behind it. Now, for the love of all that is good and holy, build a bowling alley!

 

[donvincenzo]

Sounds good to me....

 

[MKCP 1985]

Wide World of Sports is sooo 20th Century! Who even remembers "the thrill of victory . . . the agony of defeat!" ?? :lookaroun :lol:

 

[Fun2BFree]

Wide World of Sports is sooo 20th Century! Who even remembers "the thrill of victory . . . the agony of defeat!" ?? :lookaroun :lol:

"Spanning the globe to give you the constant variety of sport!"

 

[imamouse]

I wonder if the ESPN Club will be relocated from the boardwalk? Or perhaps the other cafe at the sports facility will be rebranded into an ESPN Club? I'd hate to lose the one at the boardwalk.

 

[jt04]

Hmm, could it be they will add an ESPNZone to draw in the crowds and better put the place "on the map" for the average visitor (and easier to get to too). :shrug:

 

[RiversideBunny]

As long as they have Buffalo Wings to eat, it's all good.

 

[EpcotServo]

Boo! It shouldv'e been themed to the Spor Repor!

:lol:

 

[jt04]

Also this could raise "ESPN Weekends" to a whole new level all around the resort. The more I think about this the more I think this is a MAJOR addition to WDW.

 

[CommandoDisney]

is there anything to do at this place that benefits that average WDW vacationer? I've never been, but i havent felt theres any reason for me to go, other than just to see it

 

[bryPOD]

An ESPN Zone would be a perfect fit there, as I'm sure they will keep the ESPN Club where it currently resides...

 

[cooleo]

Wide World of Sports is sooo 20th Century! Who even remembers "the thrill of victory . . . the agony of defeat!" ?? :lookaroun :lol:

"Spanning the globe to give you the constant variety of sport!"

Now you see, this is what I immediately thought. But, I was thinking "ABC's Wide World of Sports". I know ESPN is more widely recognized, but ABC is the parent company of ESPN, aren't they? Either way, I think it's a good fit.