The Interesting Connection Between Oswald and NFL Commentator, Al Michaels
96 years ago today, in 1927, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit first appeared in Trolley Troubles, one of Walt Disney’s first creations after he opened his world-famous animation studio in 1923. To celebrate Oswald’s anniversary, let’s take a look at the fascinating history between him and NFL Commentator Al Michaels.
While we always say all the magic we enjoy today from the Walt Disney Company all “started with a mouse,” it’s important to remember that it actually started with one lucky rabbit – Oswald!


Credit: Disney
“Although the Disney brothers made their mark on Hollywood’s animation industry with the Alice Comedies, Oswald was truly Disney’s first break-out cartoon star,” Rebecca Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives, said. “He was very popular with audiences and allowed Walt to create a unique character that was charming, lovable, a bit naughty, and truly appealed to audiences.”
Oswald went on to star in many cartoons from 1927 to 1928 with Universal Pictures and was one of the catalysts of his – and the Walt Disney Studios’ – success.


Photo: Disney
Until the unthinkable happened…
While visiting Universal Pictures in New York to renew his contract, Walt learned that Universal actually had rights over Oswald and not him and the Walt Disney Company.
Devastated, Walt returned to Hollywood to dream up a new character that he would make sure only he and his company had rights to. That character turned out to be none other than the beloved Mickey Mouse!
But the story doesn’t end there! This is where the NFL Commentator, Al Michaels twist, comes in!
Several years later, in 2006, the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, worked out a deal with NBCUniversal where they would trade the contract of Michaels to NBC in exchange for the rights back to the beloved Oswald. And the rest was history!


Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog
“As the forerunner to Mickey Mouse and an important part of Walt Disney’s creative legacy, the fun, and mischievous Oswald is back where he belongs, at the home of his creator and among the stable of beloved characters created by Walt himself,” Iger said after negotiating the return of Oswald back to the company in 2006.
Since then, Oswald has made up for lost time while appearing in video games and merchandising. To celebrate Disney100, he also starred in a one-minute animated short – Oswald the Lucky Rabbit – which marked 95 years since appearing in one.


Credit: Disney
To celebrate 96 years of Oswald, today, September 5, 2023, he visited both Disney’s headquarters in Burbank and the Walt Disney Company’s offices in New York City to take photos with Cast Members. What a joyous occasion!
So, there you have it! There’s the history of how Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, once lost forever, was returned to Disney with the help of Al Michaels!
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Image/Source Credit: Disney