ESPN has expanded its agreement with Sony’s Beyond Sports to utilize Disney’s IP portfolio and produce additional animated telecasts for NFL, NHL, NBA and WNBA games during the 2025-26 season.
“At ESPN, innovation has always been a driver in serving sports fans, including reaching new audiences,” said Kevin Lopes, VP of sports business development and innovation at ESPN. “The Beyond Sports team has helped fuel our animated alternate casts, along with our league partners, creating an entirely new way for fans to consume our content. We look forward to continuing to produce these unique experiences for fans both this year and in the years ahead.”
“The addition of four new telecasts this season will bring our total with ESPN to nine—a reflection of how this partnership continues to grow year on year,” added Sander J. Schouten, managing director and co-founder of Beyond Sports. “Enabled by our technology, together we’re driving the evolution of fan engagement, creating new ways for fans to experience the game and redefining live sports storytelling.”
ESPN, Disney, Beyond Sports and multiple league partners have collaborated on several animated alternate presentations, beginning with the NHL Big City Greens Classic in 2023. Since then, the NFL has partnered on multiple Funday Football presentations, powered by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats and utilizing Disney’s Toy Story and Simpsons IPs. The NBA has also joined in with Dunk the Halls, featuring popular Disney characters. A second NHL Big City Greens Classic aired in 2024.
The aim of the animated alternate telecasts is to foster co-viewing and attract casual fans through innovative presentation. ESPN research indicates that most children watch these telecasts with an adult, and non-sports fans contribute to a large portion of social media hype. Leveraging Disney platforms for the telecasts has helped broaden the audience as well.
Four telecasts—one each for the NFL, NHL, NBA and WNBA—will air during the 2025-26 season, and more alternate telecasts are planned for the 2026-27 sports calendar year.