Disney Fan Draft Pairs NFL Teams With Iconic Disney Characters in New Collection
A new athletic collection just dropped that is a must- have for sports fans.
Disney, NFL, Champion, and Fanatics have unveiled the new Disney | Champion NFL Collection, a fan-focused apparel line that combines NFL team pride with beloved Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel characters.
New Collection
MickeyBlog recently shared details about the new collection, which debuted at Fanatics Fest NYC through the first-ever Disney Fan Draft!
The first eight NFL teams were matched with characters inspired by team history, traditions, identities, and fan culture.
Photo: ESPN
Fans attending the event were also able to shop the first merchandise release at the Disney | Champion Fan Zone.
The full collection, featuring all 32 NFL teams, will launch in August on Disney Store, Fanatics, NFL Shop, and select Lids locations nationwide.
The First Disney Fan Draft Picks
The opening round of the Disney Fan Draft featured these team and character pairings:
- Buffalo Bills – Beast
- Dallas Cowboys – Woody
- Las Vegas Raiders – Darth Vader
- New England Patriots – Captain America
- New York Giants – Wreck-It Ralph
- New York Jets – Buzz Lightyear
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Captain Hook
- Washington Commanders – Hamm
Each pairing was selected to reflect the team’s themes!
Behind the Collection
The project was led by Bret Healey, Director of Graphic Design at Disney Consumer Products and a lifelong sports fan.
Rather than randomly placing Disney characters on team apparel, the creative team focused on creating meaningful connections that sports fans would recognize and appreciate!
Photo: WWD
The designers examined franchise history, city identity, team colors, nicknames, fan traditions, and memorable eras before assigning characters.
A key goal was ensuring every pairing told a story while avoiding repeated characters across teams.
According to Healey, some selections were designed to be obvious, while others were intended to reward fans who know their team’s history.
Hidden Details
Dallas Cowboys
Several pairings include deeper references beyond their surface connections. Woody’s association with the Dallas Cowboys extends beyond cowboy imagery.
One design shows Woody in a pose inspired by the franchise’s original logo before the iconic star became the team’s main symbol.
Photo: Disney
The New York Giants’ pairing with Wreck-It Ralph draws inspiration from the team’s famous “Big Blue Wrecking Crew” defenses.
For Washington, Hamm was selected as a nod to the legendary offensive line known as “The Hogs!”
Collection and Connections
The creative team expected fans to have strong opinions about the selections, just like a real NFL Draft.
Some pairings are instantly recognizable, while others encourage fans to look deeper and uncover the reasoning behind them.
That sense of discussion and discovery was a major part of the concept! It celebrates the passion, memories, and traditions that connect both Disney and NFL fandoms.
Still to Come
Credit: Disney
The first eight picks are just the beginning of the Disney | Champion NFL Collection. Additional team-character pairings and fan experiences will be announced ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
The collaboration also ties into Disney and ESPN’s “Year of the Super Bowl” celebration leading up to ESPN’s first Super Bowl broadcast in February.
With all 32 NFL teams ready to receive their Disney-inspired pairing, fans can expect plenty more fun announcements in the months ahead.
Stay tuned and follow along with us at MickeyBlog to stay updated on this and all things Disney.
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Article Source/ Feature Photo: Disney
