Disney Headlines for July 25th, 2023
During the past week, a former cast member revealed secrets about Goofy’s costume and other hidden parts of Disney.
Also, Bob Iger reassured the troops after his previous comments, and Disney solicited new investors for one of its crown jewels.
We’ve got another chaotic week for Disney Headlines.
Goofy Secrets
Photo: Disney
Did you know that Disney cast members often sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)?
When the company hires, it wants to ensure that workers don’t take the job, learn insider secrets, and then reveal them after their employment ends.
Photo: Disney
Otherwise, competitors would have an incentive to send people to Disney for training and then return with insider knowledge.
Since Disney lawyers are the scariest people this side of a Blumhouse film, people respect those NDAs. But NDAs expire.
Photo:ofx.ie
Also, some people reach a point where they figure they’re past the statute of limitations on this stuff anyway.
Not coincidentally, TikTok has become a top-notch repository for Disney insider knowledge.
In fact, a dude was recently so excited to share a story about the Goofy costume that he couldn’t even be bothered to get out of bed and put on a shirt.
You can watch the TikTok here (warning: there is some decidedly non-Disney language):
@brycrasch Goofy Mechanics #disney #castmember #goofy #disneyworld
That’s right! According to a former “friend of Goofy,” the costume’s eyes do nothing for the cast member inside.
I’ve always believed that was common sense. However, I must admit that I tend to make eye contact anyway because that’s how human interaction has trained me.
I’d never think to crouch down and look into Goofy’s mouth so the cast member could see my face.
Instead, the person is typically looking at my shoes. While I understand the physics of it, I’ll be a bit more self-conscious about shoes and socks during future Disney visits!
I can’t have the person playing Goofy at the time think I’m a slob in ugly shoes, right?
(David Roark, photographer)
The other takeaway here is that the costumes don’t have any interior fans.
So, please remember that the cast member is burning up and appreciate the work they’re doing for your entertainment!
Iger Tries to Mend Fences
Photo: CNBC
Last week, multiple reporters wrote articles along these lines.
That’s CNN reporting about a meeting Disney CEO Bob Iger held with high-ranking employees of his linear television division.
Photo: Natacha Rafalski on Instagram
Here’s why that happened. Iger went on CNBC and openly suited investors and/or buyers for several Disney properties, especially linear television.
Given Iger’s comments, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who believes Disney’s linear television infrastructure will remain untouched.
Photo:cnet.com
Instead, the expectation is that Disney will sell several assets, including multiple cable channels and possibly even ABC.
Do you know who that report would bother? That’s right, folks! In addition to ticking off Hollywood, Iger terrified many of his employees.
Photo: wikipedia
Soon afterward, the CEO held an emergency meeting to calm the nerves of the affected divisions.
Of course, that was never going to work, as everybody realized that Iger was merely paying them lip service.
Going on live television and saying you’re open for business means just that.
Photo: AFP
Workers aren’t going to believe you when you turn around and swear that they shouldn’t read anything into that.
My wife has worked for newspapers for the past quarter-century. So, my family has experienced this cycle several times.
Photo:impulsecreative.com
The financials no longer justify previous staffing levels. Layoffs begin. Then, somebody new buys the place. That doesn’t change the financial reality any.
That party also performs layoffs and then tries to sell as well. It’s a vicious cycle, and Iger just telegraphed that it’s coming.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Even worse, Disney had previously performed thousands of layoffs. The remaining workers had probably felt they were safe.
That sense of relief proved short-lived after Iger’s announcement.
Everyone has braced for the reality that Disney will eventually get rid of many linear television assets. Nothing Iger says now can change that.
Disney Wants to Keep ESPN
Image: Disney
Given that knowledge, another story that cropped up this past week may surprise you.
Disney apparently isn’t interested in selling ESPN. Instead, the company will explore options to spin off the service.
In lieu of that, Disney would prefer to take on investment partners…and somebody had an excellent idea here.
Photo: ESPN
The challenges of monetizing ESPN stem from the mercurial nature of licensing sports content.
For example, Disney couldn’t acquire the streaming rights for NFL Sunday Ticket because Google will pay $2 billion per season.
Similarly, Disney has committed $44.9 billion for its various sports licenses through 2027!
Photo: skillastics.com
Also, leagues like the NBA expect raises in their upcoming negotiations. That’s an arms race Disney cannot win.
So, Disney has adopted a new approach. Since all sports leagues benefit from ESPN coverage, Disney is trying to sell the leagues on a new idea.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
According to CNBC, “ESPN has held preliminary discussions with the NFL, NBA, and MLB about a variety of new partnerships and investment structures.”
In other words, Disney seeks to broker deals with these leagues wherein ESPN presumably acquires cheaper licensing in exchange for…something.
The New ESPN?
Photo: ESPN
That something could be revenue sharing, new multi-party business agreements (read: gambling), or joint enterprises.
For example, the NFL tried to package NFL.com, NFL Redzone, and NFL+ as part of the NFL Sunday Ticket negotiations.
Photo: NFL
Google didn’t take all of it. Would the NFL be better served if the sports/broadcasting/streaming experts at Disney ran those entities?
That answer is yes, and it opens up some intriguing possibilities. Also, in the case of the NBA, MLB, and NHL, it would solve a different problem.
Photo: NBA Central
Sinclair’s spinoff, Diamond Sports Group, is bankrupt, causing Regional Sports Network (RSN) rights to revert to the leagues.
The pro sports teams would rather not have the aggravation. Do you know who would be perfect? ESPN!
Photo: Disney clip art
These deals make sense. I believe that there’s potentially smoke to this fire.
Plus, if ESPN collected all these assets, it’d be that much more appealing to other investors.
We should keep an eye on this one. It makes a LOT of sense!
You can watch a more detailed explanation about potential deals straight from the CNBC reporter above who broke the story.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
