Walt Disney World yesterday declared that it is ending support of the annual Florida Classic game between Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University, on the same day that ESPN announced that the SWAC-MEAC Challenge would be moving to Orlando. Walt Disney is the parent company of ESPN. Disney has sponsored the Florida Classic for 10 years, contributing a total of $2.7 million. In recent years the game's full name even was changed to the Walt Disney World Florida Classic.
Disney World spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said the company was proud of its relationship with the Florida Classic, but decided to "bring our sponsorship to a close."
"We will work closely with Florida Citrus Sports to find additional sponsors for the classic," she said.
Also see: Disney renews Classic sponsorship
sigh...not enough mass appeal I guess...
ReplyDeleteThats a LOT of money over the years. What was it spent on? Anyone know?
10 @ $2.7million averages out to about $250k per year. Chump change for an event like the FL Classic.
ReplyDeleteScrew Disney!
If I am not mistaken, it said 2.7 million in recent years. I am guessing that they were "strong armed" in sponsoring the MEAC/SWAC challenge in Orlando. I think that within the next two years ESPN and Disney will see that was a misstep and try very hard to become the FC title sponsor again. I just don't think a MEAC/SWAC challenge is going to work in Orlando, 1. because that will mean either BCU or FAMU has to play in it every year for there to be a large fan appeal and hopefully both of our ADs will not let that happen. 2. Central Florida is not SWAC country; therefore, you are only going to have a half full stadium even with one of the Florida schools. If they want this challenge to work, they need to move it to either a home and home series, which will bring exposure to the schools or move it to Atlanta (the new southern black Mecca).
ReplyDeleteNo need to knock them. They didn't have to do that. Time to see if the AD can flourish in our school of hard knocks.
ReplyDelete^^^
ReplyDeleteDidn't have to sponsor the game, I mean.
SWAC - MEAC would have to be in Birmingham, Montgomery or Jackson to mane any money or any sence for either conference or any school.
ReplyDeleteBoth FAMU and BCU should agree not to play in Orlando unless they play each other.
SWAC - MEAC would have to be in Birmingham, Montgomery or Jackson to make any money or any sence for either conference or any school.
ReplyDeleteBoth FAMU and BCU should agree not to play in Orlando unless they play each other.
Y'all still gone take y'all children to Disney World, though. And plenty of y'all gone still make it your wedding day destination. (I'm being facetious here, of course, so please don't write me up on this one.)
ReplyDeleteNO MICKEY MOUSE EARS. Let's make FAMU a Six Flags school. In fact, we should get Six Flags of Georgia to sponsor the Atlanta Classic.
ReplyDeleteGo Bugs Bunny!
Now we will see the LEADERSHIP now in some real action....and furthermore I agree screw DISNEY!!! Universial Studios will step in if our "leadership" acts quickly.
ReplyDeleteThis is unfortunate, but I think it could be a blessing in disguise. I have always maintained that the Classic should be a much bigger event. FAMU and BCC did not take advantage of all the money out there. I am sure these two schools will find better sponsors.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if BCU will spend their money with Disney, since they will be sponsoring the MEAC/SWAC Challenge between them and Jackson State for the season opener.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I don't think there is any myth that this game will HAVE to feature either FAMU or BCU in the game every year it's in whorelando. Ain't nobody from Hampton flying down to see them play Prairie View. And damn sure nobody in the area will get amped up for a Norfolk State/Pine Bluff game.
Reading this blog is enlightening. It is a microcosm of what is wrong in much of the black community.
ReplyDeleteThis idea of "screw Disney" because they are not giving us any more money is entitlement mentality and it is the mental attitude that is keeping our community in poverty.
No one owes you anything brother. You should be grateful for what you got and not be irate when the benefactor decides to give to someone else.
What if a man showed up at your front door every day and gave you $100 cash. You would be delighted. Then after 3 years of this, he decides to give the $100 to your neighbor down the street. If you are angry at the man, you have a problem with gratefulness. If you are angry at your neighbor, you have a problem with envy.
Every day is a new gift and we are not guaranteed that the gift will be given again tomorrow. Count your blessings and be thankful.
And quit whining when the bearer of gifts moves on. You did nothing to deserve the gift in the first place.
Why don't you strive to BE THE MAN that is giving out $100 bills instead wallowing in self pity and anger.
I get so sick of seeing these commercials on TV where the victim is some starving black African and savior is some white missionary or white doctor or some white do gooder.
I want to see the brothers being successful so that blacks can help blacks. I want to see an American of color on those commercials helping the starving in Africa. Its your brother or cousin, why should we sit back while the white missionaries get all the credit and eternal glory for helping the poor?
Miami will be happy to take over the Florida Classic, its got Dolphin Stadium, South Beach, Little Havana, ummm,...on second thought, back to Tampa!
ReplyDeleteDisney "pimped" us for 10 years and now wants to get a new stable of ho's. Minnie is his only steady girl. (...Ain't that just like a black mouse?!)
ReplyDelete***This is just humor, people. I know Minnie is a Ho, she'll roll with any MF driving a 1920 vintage Auto up the Main Street Parade, Goofy, Prince Charming, all 7 Drawfs, even Winnie the Mutha F'ing Pooh!
Sponsorships are about relationships. The way this works is that Disney sponsors our stuff b/c they want us to think of them for our tourist destinations.
ReplyDeleteI cannot blame Disney either, as they can now sponsor a game that is broadcasted on ESPN Classic as opposed to ESPNU. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is promoted to the entire conference, and it gets them more visibility than a game that is mainly marketed to two teams.
This is strictly business- - ABC owns Disney and ESPN. We need a strong marketing strategy or this will continue to happen with our sponsorship events.
ReplyDelete2/28/2008 10:34 AM
ReplyDeleteYou are a damn mess! How can you just put Miss Minnie on Frontstreet like that?
10:23 your argument is Seriously Flawed.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that both schools held numerous events at Disney and therfore contributed revenue for Disney. This was a relationship and in most relationships if one party is not communicating and then just wakes up and says hey this is over then of course there is gonna be a responce! This is our responce,SCREW DISNEY!
Therefore, when someone says screw Disney they are saying you used us and now we will make our feelings known. I for one will not pay to go to Disney nor will I take any of "my" children there either. And it is nothing personal it is just business!
TO BE HOnest after 3 years going to the FL Classic, i don't think Disney felt they got their money's worth out of sponsorship. i went to MGM in 2006 when they had the band march w/ FAMU & BCC and did'nt see many of us at the event at all. I was surprised.
ReplyDeleteAfter that event, they didnlt do it again the next year.