Daisy Duck Hits Sidelines When ESPN Shows Animated Knicks Vs. Spurs NBA Game on Christmas Day
variety.comBrian Steinberg Senior TV Editor ESPN‘s latest hire: Daisy Duck. The animated waterfowl has been a part of the sports giant’s parent company for more than 80 years, but on Christmas Day, she’ll take a shot at something completely different, working as a sideline reporter while the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs in an animated version of an NBA game playing in real time.
The cartoon game will run on ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+, the latest attempt by ESPN to devise new sports formats that are more attractive to young children and their families, perhaps, than the real thing.
The game will look as if it taking place on the iconic Main Street USA of Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park. As the teams play — each movement by every Spurs and Knicks player will be captured by optical tracking and real-time tracking — Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip and Dale will cheer them on.
They will also take part in action around the contest. At halftime, the Disney characters will compete in a special slam dunk contest.
Read more on variety.com
