Disney Launches NFL Crossover Collection With Darth Vader and Tom Brady
The 'Disney | Champion NFL Collection' pairs characters with all 32 teams, unveiled Thursday at Fanatics Fest.
“As we build toward ESPN’s ‘Year of the Super Bowl,’ we’re expanding how fans engage with Disney across sports through moments that drive relevance, connection and long-term brand affinity.”
The Walt Disney Company launched a new consumer product line Thursday that pairs its iconic characters with all 32 NFL teams.
The "Disney | Champion NFL Collection" was unveiled at Fanatics Fest in New York's Jacob Javits Center, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The launch event featured Star Wars villain Darth Vader on stage alongside NFL legend and Las Vegas Raiders owner Tom Brady, Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
What characters are paired with NFL teams?
The initial launch includes eight specific team-character pairings. Darth Vader is paired with the Las Vegas Raiders. Other combinations include the Buffalo Bills with the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, the Dallas Cowboys with Woody from Toy Story, the New England Patriots with Marvel's Captain America, the New York Giants with Wreck-It Ralph, the New York Jets with Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Captain Hook, and the Washington Commanders with Hamm from Toy Story.
When will the full collection be available?
The apparel line debuted at the festival with these eight teams. The full collection featuring all 32 NFL teams will launch in August.
Paul Gitter, executive vice president of global brand commercialization for Disney Consumer Products, framed the launch as part of a broader strategy. "As we build toward ESPN’s ‘Year of the Super Bowl,’ we’re expanding how fans engage with Disney across sports through moments that drive relevance, connection and long-term brand affinity," he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Bret Healey, director of graphic design at Disney Consumer Products, explained that the character selections were deliberate. "Whichever character worked best for that team, that’s the story we were going to tell, even if they are a tertiary character," he said. Healey stated the team drafted characters based on each team's personality, colors, fan base, and city.
Consumer products are a significant part of Disney's business, generating substantial revenue and operating income through licensing partnerships like Champion. The new NFL crossover aims to attract sports fans to Disney's brand ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fanatics Fest?
Fanatics Fest is a convention held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. It served as the launch platform for the Disney | Champion NFL Collection, where the product line was first unveiled to the public.
Who else was involved in the launch event?
Alongside Darth Vader, Tom Brady, Fernando Mendoza, and Roger Goodell, Marvel chairman Kevin Feige was also present in the audience during the unveiling at Fanatics Fest.
How were the character-team pairings decided?
According to Disney's design director, the pairings were decided through a draft process focused on each NFL team's identity. The team considered the team's personality, colors, name, fans, city, and notable moments to select the most fitting Disney character.
Is this a limited collection?
The collection launched with eight teams but will expand to include merchandise for all 32 NFL teams in August. It is not described as a limited-time offering in the initial report.
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