NHL & NFL Games With Disney Characters A Hit

This weekend the NFL took a play from the NHL’s playbook by featuring another form of broadcast for one of the games. Similar to the NHL’s animated game broadcast last season between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals.

The NHL game was featured on Disney’s “Big City Greens” platform and included the characters from the show playing in the game. The real-time volumetric animation of players and teams was a great success and a new way to bring in a new generation of viewers.

On Sunday, the NFL featured the Atlanta Falcons against the Jacksonville Jaguars brought from “Andy’s Room”. This was featured in Disney’s Toy Story Movie and simultaneously broadcasted with the real event.

As a father of two young children, I have tried to make hockey games as interesting to watch as possible from home. Even at the arena, the mascots, food, and merchandise steal the show from the actual game.

The connection between the characters and shows that the children are already comfortable with makes it much easier for the children to get into the game without realizing they are watching an actual hockey or football game.

The big news around the NHL each season is which organization(s) will have the opportunity to be involved with the outdoor games but this may be a new layer for NHL clubs to gather fandom and marketing.

All the Caniacs would certainly have an easier time introducing the game and the team to the next generation if Carolina was featured in one of these games.

The growth of the game to the next generation is the biggest responsibility of the NHL and this goes a long way. Cardiac Cane has always been a strong believers in passing on the love of hockey and the Hurricanes to the kids.

Here’s to hoping that the Canes are matched up with Disney this season to create a cool viewing for the Caniacs!