On February 25, 2010, celebrity athletes and ESPN personalities helped kick-off the debut of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Athletes such as Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals), Shawn Johnson (Olympic Gold Medalist), Jennie Finch (Olympic softball gold medalist), Santonio Holmes (Steelers 2009 Super Bowl MVP), Chipper Jones (Atlanta Braves) and Annika Sorenstram (LPGA) were on hand to help Disney and ESPN take youth sports to the next level.
The event featured celebrity athletes walking the “Green Carpet” painted with yard lines to resemble a football field and a visual dedication moment with Disney characters, music, confetti and fireworks. New Orleans Saints kicker and Super Bowl Champion Garrett Hartley literally “kicked-off” the dedication moment.
The re-launch will allow Disney and ESPN to provide an immersive sports experience for the more than 2 million athletes, coaches and fans from around the world who come to the complex each year. Technological changes and signature elements from ESPN will ensure that when athletes compete at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex they feel as if they have made it to the “big time.”
