NFL, Disney, ESPN Partner For Animated TOY STORY Football Game
By Movieguide® Contributor
ESPN, the Walt Disney Company and the NFL have teamed up for TOY STORY FUNDAY FOOTBALL, an animated recreation of a real-life game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars. This project is the first of its kind.
“This presentation is the latest in ESPN’s innovation strategy, providing alternate telecasts in signature events,” a press release for the program reads.
Instead of a familiar football field, the animated game will take place in Andy’s room.
“TOY STORY FUNDAY FOOTBALL will transform every player and play into an animated recreation that brings the game, which is taking place at London’s Wembley Stadium, into the world of the beloved Pixar franchise,” Entertainment Tonight reported. “The broadcast will use state-of-the-art tracking technology enabled by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats player-tracking data and Beyond Sports.”
The game’s action will be recreated on the animated field, with an expected 30-second delay.
TOY STORY characters like Woody, Buzz Lightyear and others will also make appearances at the game. There will even be a halftime show, with a performance from TOY STORY 4’s Duke Caboom.
The telecast will include “demonstrations, including ‘how to’ videos, trivia, and more” throughout the game to teach viewers more about football, as well as “pre-recorded segments and interviews” from Falcons and Jaguars players.
This is just the latest innovative sports project Disney has launched.
Deadline reported that the company “has mined its own properties in recent years, presenting such offerings as a Marvel-themed NBA game, but the fully animated nature of the TOY STORY game is new.”
TOY STORY FUNDAY FOOTBALL will air October 1 at 9:30 am EST on Disney+, ESPN+ and NFL+. The real-life version of the game will also be available on ESPN+.
