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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2008) – Disney's Wide World of Sports plans to christen its newly named Champion Stadium with a colorful fireworks show and naming ceremony during the Atlanta Braves-Los Angeles Dodgers spring training game Feb. 29 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
The game, which starts at 1:05 p.m. ET and will be televised live by ESPN, marks the Braves' first spring training game against a Major League opponent at Champion Stadium. Kevin Hall, Executive Vice President for Champion, a leading brand of innovative athletic apparel, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, igniting an explosive pyrotechnics display as the ballpark's new name is revealed in dramatic fashion.
"Champion is excited to be the official apparel sponsor of Disney's Wide World of Sports" said Claire Edgar, director, Champion Brand Marketing. "Our partnership with Disney's Wide World of Sports is a perfect fit to maximize the brand strength and equity of both iconic sports brands. Our tagline 'How You Play' inspires people to take part in sport and fitness in whichever way they want to – whether as a participant in an amateur event or as a passionate supporter of their favorite team."
Champion's naming rights to the 9,500-seat retro-style ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is part of the 10-year strategic alliance between The Walt Disney Company and Hanesbrands that was announced in October 2007. The alliance taps into the marketing and product expertise of two of the world's most trusted and recognized lineups of brands, and includes apparel exclusivity for the Champion brand, product co-branding, attraction sponsorships and other brand visibility and signage at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
In addition to ballpark naming rights, the deal includes Champion brand placement and promotional opportunities throughout the 220-acre Disney sports complex, which attracts more than
1.1 million visitors and 240,000 athletes every year. The alliance also includes in-store promotional and brand building opportunities at ESPN Zone restaurants and stores located in Anaheim, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, New York City and Washington, D.C.
"We are thrilled to have a respected and innovative brand such as Champion associated with our ballpark and our sports complex,' said Ken Potrock, Senior Vice President of Disney's Global Sports Enterprises. "It is an ideal partnership when you consider thousands of 'champions' come to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex every year to compete, train and make their dreams come true.'
The Braves-Dodgers game at Champion Stadium kicks off in earnest the Braves' 2008 home spring training schedule at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex where the Braves are training for the 11th straight season. The Braves open spring training with an exhibition Feb. 27 against the University of Georgia followed by the clash with the Dodgers two days later as part of their 16-game slate at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, the leading venue for amateur and professional sports in the country.
For the second straight year, Champion Stadium will also host a Tampa Bay Rays three-game regular-season series against the Toronto Blue Jays, April 22-24. In 2007, the Rays swept a historic three-game series from the Texas Rangers in the first Major League regular-season games ever played in Central Florida.
About Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
Opened in 1997 at Walt Disney World, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is the premier sports venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States. The sprawling 220-acre state-of-the-art complex is home to more than 180 amateur and professional sports events each year, including the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp, the Major League Baseball Atlanta Braves spring training and the Tampa Bay Rays regular-season series, the Pop Warner Super Bowl and the AAU National Championship events. The complex features The Milk House, a 165,000-square-foot field house which seats 5,000 for basketball; the 9,500-seat Champion Stadium; and the Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields. In addition, the complex has 10 tennis courts, including a stadium court, a track & field complex and the Jostens Center, a multi-sport field house that opens in summer 2008.
AboutChampion
Champion offers a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sport bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories. Champion can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores. For more information about Champion for men and women visit www.championusa.com. Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc.
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