Walt Disney World Resort becomes sponsors of the UCF Knights

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Posted: Monday September 16, 2019 9:08am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World becomes the official Theme Park, Water Park, Resort and Cruise Line Destination of the UCF Knights football team.

"Walt Disney World Resort and UCF share a commitment to making Central Florida a key destination for sports," said Faron Kelley, vice president of Disney Sports. "With this agreement we hope to reach even more of Knight Nation."

The new multiyear agreement includes shared marketing opportunities, in-game promotions at UCF home football games and Disney signage inside Spectrum Stadium. It also extends the existing relationship between UCF and Disney which have joined together as part of the Disney Aspire education investment program. In May, UCF was added to the Disney Aspire network of schools. This program offers 100 percent free tuition to eligible hourly Disney employees and Cast Members.

"As Orlando's hometown college football team, we are thrilled to be teaming up with Disney to add a touch of magic for fans at Spectrum Stadium," said UCF vice president and director of athletics, Danny White. "Additionally, this agreement enables UCF to have the most unique student-athlete experience in the country as every year all of our student-athletes will have the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World Resort."

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easyrowrdwSep 18, 2019

Because it's an arbitrary system that doesn't allow all members access. It's really not much different from the BCS or even than the old system of different polls picking different champions. When the teams aren't all playing each other you're gonna get some weird results. Auburn and Utah went undefeated in 2004, with neither team being given an opportunity to play for the "national championship." In 1994 Penn State went undefeated, but so did Nebraska. Different polls/systems choose different champions. Also, the NCAA recognizes this https://www.al.com/sports/2018/08/ncaa_recognizes_ucfs_national.html

Dead2009Sep 18, 2019

How can one beat the supposed National Champions if they WERE the National Champions? UCF hasnt won a title. Stop.

HauntedMansionFLASep 18, 2019

Will there be more events at the Wide World of Sports complex with UCF and their athletic departments??

tribbleorlflSep 18, 2019

FWIW, the buzz going around some of the UCF boards I'm on is there was no financial component to this deal. Purely a reciprocal marketing agreement; Disney gets signage in Spectrum Stadium, UCF gets free admission for student athletes once a year.

GlacierGlacierSep 16, 2019

Charge On

easyrowrdwSep 16, 2019

I feel like these guys need to jump on that.

CreathirSep 16, 2019

Obviously. But it still looks ridiculous.

Horizons '83Sep 16, 2019

Ah UCF. The team that claims championships without playing in a championship 🙄

noodlesSep 16, 2019

One more reason to stop giving Disney my dollars. Southern Miss to the Top!

PiebaldSep 16, 2019

Its that easy? Why hasnt anyone told them yet!!

Tom P.Sep 15, 2019

Wake me when they start sponsoring Marshall University. GO HERD! 🤣

Captain BarbossaSep 15, 2019

Join a power 5 conference, then we'll talk.

easyrowrdwSep 14, 2019

Haha That was a different year, but yeah, something like that. They were the only undefeated team and beat the team that beat the supposed national champions. They weren't allowed to play for that trophy though, so we'll never know what would've happened. But they get the vote in my book.