Kenversations™
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Okay, Ken, so that's fine and dandy, but isn't Disney trying to sell of the Angels and Ducks, or at least an interest in them?
The Walt Disney Company is a business. It is a corporation with publicly traded shares. It has a responsibility to shareholders to make good investments, and to not continue with business that takes away from the overall bottom line. With the business dynamics as they are in professional sports, it is understandable that Disney is looking for a change in this area.
I do believe that it is in Disney's interest to at least continue to have an arrangement with Anaheim Sports, Inc. The reasoning is as straight as Katella Avenue.
When Disneyland Park and Disneyland Hotel welcomed additional surrounding elements and blossomed into The Disneyland Resort, the main business objective was to make it more of a destination experience, especially to appeal to international tourists. With the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball seasons more or less forming a year-round Anaheim Sports season, there are plenty of opportunities for tourists staying at The Disneyland Resort to take an afternoon or evening to enjoy a match or game.
The more activities in the nearby area for tourists to do, the longer they may stay in a Disney-owned hotel room. Watching either sport can be a wholesome and fun time for the whole family, just like going to a Disney theme park.
As I write this, the Anaheim Angels are tied with the San Francisco Giants at two games each in a seven game contest for the Major League Baseball World Championship. Since these are two teams from California, most fans outside of the state may not be as interested, but for those of us in California, it is a big deal.
This is the time where sports can hold my attention on television. During the regular season, when there are games every day or every other day, I just can't see spending a few hours watching. I feel like there are more important things for me to do, since I am not a big fan. But once the final showdown hits, especially with a local team, particularly one I have stock in, I get riveted to the game. Each play is so carefully considered, because it can make all the difference in money and glory.
The tension, the drama, the exuberant celebration when it is all over - grown men jumping up and down, hugging, crying…I love to see it. So, call me a fair-weather fan. That's what I am, really. I want to watch my local team winning, not losing. In the case of the Angels, it is nice to see a team associated with Disney come as far as they have. I went to the pre-World Series rally at Downtown Disney, mainly because I was waiting for Friday traffic to die down on the dreadful I-5 Santa Ana Freeway northbound, not because I'm such a fan of the Angels. It was also a chance to hang out with some friends.
A guy grows up, gets busy, doesn't have the energy or simple love of sports he had as a child. Get him to a rally in the middle of the Disneyland Resort where he can cheer on the local team that finally "arrived". Gosh wouldn't you know it - I had fun!
And isn't that what Disney is all about?
I would love to read your thoughts on Disney's involvement in sports, and my column - either via feedback or the discussion link below. Thanks!
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-- Ken Pellman
Ken Pellman is a writer and Disney shareholder. He has been a regular fixture at Disneyland Park in one way or another for 17 years. Ken can be reached directly at Kenversations[at]flash{dot]net or at http://www.Pellman.net, where you can learn more about him.
Kenversations is usually posted on the fourth Wednesday or Thursday of each month.
The views, opinions and comments of Ken Pellman, and all of our columnists, are not necessarily those of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
©2002 Ken Pellman, all rights reserved. Licensed to LaughingPlace.com.
-- Posted October 25, 2002