Anaheim Sports

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This article is about Disney's Anaheim professional sports holding company. For primarily Walt Disney World based sports attraction unit, see
Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products
.
Anaheim Sports, Inc.
FormerlyDisney Sports Enterprises, Inc. (1986-1996)
Company typeSubsidiary of a public corporation
IndustrySports
Defunct2005
FateDissolved
Headquarters
Disney Ice

Anaheim Sports, Inc., formerly Disney Sports Enterprises, Inc. (DSE), was a fully owned subsidiary of

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim professional hockey
team.

History

Disney Sports Enterprises

Disney Sports Enterprises, Inc. was incorporated in California on December 12, 1986.[1]

Disney purchased a

Mighty Ducks after a Disney movie, The Mighty Ducks.[2] The movie and the team was due to Disney CEO Michael Eisner interest with hockey which stemmed from his sons playing the game. NHL executives considered it a "coup" and ESPN gave the NHL its best deal to date for TV rights, $600 million for 5 years.[3] As a Disney conglomerate unit, its president reported to Disney vice chairman Sandy Litvack while financial counting as a part of its parks and resorts segment.[4] With the record sales of Mighty Ducks licensed merchandising, the Los Angeles Dodgers in March 1995 turned to Disney to handle its merchandising operation.[5]

Following the Mighty Ducks movie/pro-team marketing formula, first Disney released in 1994

Anaheim Stadium and an increased share of the stadium's revenues.[6] DSE took operational control of the Angels in May 1996[7] which was renamed the Anaheim Angels.[8]

Anaheim Sports

In December 1996, Disney Sports Enterprises, Inc. was renamed to Anaheim Sports, Inc. for tax purposes and to align with the teams' names.[8] Anaheim Sports teams were then seen as an additional draw for people to visit Disneyland Resort and a key to a potential regional sports channel, ESPN West.[3]

By 1998, the two teams were losing money and the ESPN West channel never got off the ground, which could have justified keeping the teams. The two teams were put up for sale in 1999.[3] From 1995 to 1998, the Angels lost Anaheim on average $16.6 million while only being competitive in three out of five years. While the Ducks were a money maker in the beginning, the team was expected to lose money for its third season.[4] Broadcom Corporation had approached Disney about interactive broadcasting rights for the teams which would have allow viewers at home to purchase Anaheim tickets and merchandise via their remote controls. Instead, Disney offered to sell the Broadcom partners, Henry Samueli and Henry Nicholas, the two teams for $450 million.[3]

President

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Paul Pressler. At the time, it was planned that the ESPN Zone restaurant would increase promotional efforts with the two sports teams.[4]

The Lehman Bros. investment bank was hired to sell the two teams, separately or together, in 2002.

Disney Ice, the team's training facility, to Broadcom co-founder and billionaire Henry Samueli and his wife.[3] The company was later merged out.[1]

References

  1. ^
    California Secretary of State. Archived from the original
    on 2015-03-15. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Emmons, Steve (May 19, 1995). "Disney Makes an Offer to Add Angels to Its Lineup : Baseball: Firm agrees to buy 25% from Autrys and operate the team. It would get option to buy the rest later". Los Angeles Times. Times Mirror Company. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  3. ^
    Tribune Publishing
    . Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Shaikin, Bill (February 17, 2001). "Angels, Ducks Get a New Boss". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Turner, Tim; Shenot, Christine (September 17, 1995). "Disney Discovers Wonderful World Of Sports And Makes Plans To Conquer It". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. ProQuest 293381787
    .
  7. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (June 4, 1996). "Club Gags Over Disney's New Rule". Los Angeles Times. Times Mirror Company. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Norwood, Robin (December 5, 1996). "What's in a Name? Anaheim, Not Disney". Los Angeles Times. Times Mirror Company. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  9. Gannett Company
    . Retrieved January 21, 2010.
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