International soccer sensation Kaká played football and soccer Wednesday with several NFL players and Mickey Mouse at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, FL.
Kaká, the Brazilian star of the Real Madrid team, played around with NFL players such as Bryant McFadden (Steelers), Travis Johnson (Chargers) and Greg Jones (Jaguars), who train at the sports complex with renowned trainer Tom Shaw.
In the photo above Real Madrid soccer star Kaká (far right) runs ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden (center) to catch a pass from Mickey Mouse on June 14, 2011 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla. (Photo courtesy Disney. Matt Stroshane, photographer)
The video below features Real Madrid soccer star Kaká answering questions asked by a Disney PR rep:
Kaká was at Disney in advance of next month’s prestigious Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament, which features nearly 200 teams from 16 countries.
Update: New video shows Kaká, Mickey Mouse, and NFL guys playing around at ESPN WWOS:
For the average Orlando traveler, the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex is one of the most under appreciated parts of the Walt Disney World resort. But for the athletes who train and compete at the complex, it is a central experience in the Disney… Read More »America’s Olympic Gymnastics Star Nastia Liukin at ESPN WWOS
The milk must have soured because Disney just added a new sponsor for the former Milk House at ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. Walt Disney World and HP today unveiled the HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during a ceremony that featured NFL star Jason Witten and soccer legend Mia Hamm, along with ESPN Radio’s Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg and executives from HP and Disney. The project will deliver an immersive sports experience for the nearly two million athletes, coaches and spectators who visit Disney’s sports facilities each year.
Joining in the ceremony: (L-R): Gary Elliott, vice president of Brand Marketing for HP, U.S. Women’s Soccer legend Mia Hamm, Mickey Mouse, Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises, and Jason Witten, NFL All-Pro tight end for the Dallas Cowboys.
The 165,000-square-foot HP Field House, a multi-purpose facility that can accommodate virtually any indoor sport and has been the cornerstone of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex since it opened in 1997, has been outfitted with a variety of innovative HP enhancements, such as touch-screen kiosks and a one-of-a-kind retail imaging area. Additionally, HP technology is being infused throughout the 230-acre complex, enabling athletes, coaches and fans to have an unparalleled “hands-on” sports experience while providing ways to customize their visit with amenities previously unseen in youth sports.
The most prominent feature of the HP Field House is the HP Photo Creation Center, where players and fans can download, design and enhance commemorative photos and images from their events, then immediately produce and print them at an onsite retail location. Guests will also be able to purchase life-size posters of action photos from the complex, wallpaper coverings, multi-page calendars, photo CDs and many other unique photo keepsakes, giving athletes, coaches and fans even more ways to cherish their sports memories long after their competitions have concluded.
“Today’s youth athletes are extremely tech savvy and HP is the perfect partner to help them better capture and savor the lasting memories of their unique sports experience in ways that no other sports venue can,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president, Disney Sports Enterprises.
I’m not sad to see the milk mustaches go from the pavilion. It sounds like HP will help youth athletes create some neat keepsakes from their trip to the sports complex. I’m just a little sad that it’s turned into yet another merchandise opportunity. I’m a little confused about where they get the name ‘field’ from since the facility houses basketball and similar sport courts. I guess court house had the wrong connotation.
I’m looking forward to catching at least one Spring Training game while the MLB’s Atlanta Braves practice at the ESPN WWOS Complex. With ESPN The Weekend and the NY Mets in town, Disney is rolling out all the stops. This year they’re even adding new… Read More »Hidden Mickey finds way to MLB Spring Training at ESPN WWOS
This week last year Walt Disney World rechristened the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex under the ESPN brand. Thus marked the zenith of a little project that began 8 years ago with the first ESPN The Weekend. For the first time, this year will feature some beloved college and professional sports mascots. Also, the ESPN the Weekend actually starts a day early on the 3rd with some live broadcasts by ESPN talking heads and Braves MLB Baseball Spring training.
The main even kicks off at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Friday the 4th. Marquee stars from the NFL, MLB, NBA and NCAA, plus well-known ESPN on-air personalities, will be packing them in for the eighth annual Dick’s Sporting Goods presents ESPN The Weekend, providing fans have a one-of-a-kind opportunity see and hear many of their favorite athletes and ESPN personalities.
This year’s lineup at Disney’s Hollywood Studios features more than 35 athletes and ESPN stars, including former University of Florida football coach and current ESPN college football analyst Urban Meyer, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco, N.Y. Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson, Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, NBA Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving and MLB Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., plus former NFL star Derrick Brooks, ex-NBA great Alonzo Mourning and current Orlando Magic players.
Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, hosts of the popular “Mike & Mike in the Morning” show, return as co-hosts of the event, and will broadcast live March 3-4 from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney. They will be joined by several fellow ESPN personalities such as “The Herd” host Colin Cowherd, “Monday Night Football’s” Ron Jaworski and MLB analyst Nomar Garciaparra.
Additional ESPN personalities include, Tedy Bruschi, Linda Cohn, Herm Edwards, John Kruk, Karl Ravech, Bobby Valentine and Trey Wingo.
The Magic Kingdom had the sweet smell of victory yesterday as Super Bowl XLV World Champ, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers celebrated as thousands of cheese-heads fans lined Main Street, U.S.A.. Afterward he cut a ceremonial slice of cheese and then talked with press. Here is some video and a few more photos for those of you who just can’t get enough of the Packer’s victory tour.
Just hours after his title win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers was riding high atop a convertible smiling and waving to green and gold clad guests at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Flashing lights, a whirlwind of fluttering confetti, balloons and Mickey Mouse himself, accompanied the Super Bowl hero down the famous street at the Magic Kingdom.
Making his post-super bowl victory pledge come true in less than 24 hours, World Champion Green Bay Packer Quarter back and Super Bowl XLV MVP Aaron Rodgers paraded with Mickey Mouse across the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World to the cheers of thousands of… Read More »Green Bay Packer Superbowl MVP Aaron Rodgers Parades Through Disney World
