The Swedish Chef Promotes SportsCenter

It was only a matter of time. In what may be the widest stretch of Disney cross promoting its franchises (as they have a tendency to do) the Muppet's Swedish Chef has shown up on an ESPN SportsCenter promotional commercial. And its funny. Also appearing is New York Ranger's goalie Henrik Lundqvist who, as a Swede, may be the only person who can actually understand the ramblings of the temperamental chef. Disney owns the Muppets (and the Swedish Chef). Disney owns ESPN. As far as I know, Disney does not own Lundqvist.

Enjoy!

BCS National Championship Game Tonight - Disney Smiles

Tonight is the National Championship of college football now known as the BCS (Bowl Championship Series). The teams - the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide - don't mean a lick to me except they are both really, really good as should be the game. More than a Disney guy, I'm sports guy. So what does all this have to do with Disney?

The game is on ESPN and millions of people will watch. Far more people will watch this football game than will set foot in all Disney Parks combined this year. And as much as it galls Disney fans to hear it - by far the most profitable part of the Walt Disney Company is ESPN which Disney owns. This game will generate a fortune for the Disney bank accounts

Mickey Mouse Must Sure Love Football

I just marvel at the size of the Disney California Adventure Expansion project.  That mountain range towering above Carsland is huge.  Radiator Springs Racers is the largest ride/attraction ever built in a Disney park. Buena Vista Street will rejuvenate the park entrance and bring it some sorely needed atmosphere and charm. The changes made to Paradise Pier have at least given that area of the park some measure have cohesion in its theming.  Yep, you can see 1.1 billion dollars hard at work.

And then yesterday, it is all put in perspective.  The Disney owned ESPN network added 8 years on to its contract with the NFL for the broadcasting rights to Monday Night Football when the current contract expires in 2014  The new contract will run to the year 2021. The cost to Disney/ESPN for its MNF contract - try 15.2 billion dollars.  That's $15,200,000,000. Disney fans are passionate about their devotion to their favorite theme park but follow the money.  Apparently when Mickey Mouse is done with his work day on Mondays during the fall and winter, he goes back to his house, puts on his favorite football jersey, grabs the remote for his TV, pops open a cold one, and watches some football.