Anaheim Sports
In December 1996, Disney Sports Enterprises, Inc. was renamed to Anaheim Sports, Inc. for tax purposes and to align with the teams' names.[8] Anaheim Sports teams were then seen as an additional draw for people to visit Disneyland Resort and a key to a potential regional sports channel, ESPN West.[3]
By 1998, the two teams were losing money and the ESPN West channel never got off the ground, which could have justified keeping the teams. The two teams were put up for sale in 1999.[3] From 1995 to 1998, the Angels lost Anaheim on average $16.6 million while only being competitive in three out of five years. While the Ducks were a money maker in the beginning, the team was expected to lose money for its third season.[4] Broadcom Corporation had approached Disney about interactive broadcasting rights for the teams which would have allow viewers at home to purchase Anaheim tickets and merchandise via their remote controls. Instead, Disney offered to sell the Broadcom partners, Henry Samueli and Henry Nicholas, the two teams for $450 million.[3]
President Tony Tavares signed a three-year contract extension in 2000. With the December 31, 2000 retirement of vice chairman Litvack, Anaheim Sports began reporting to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Paul Pressler. At the time, it was planned that the ESPN Zone restaurant would increase promotional efforts with the two sports teams.[4]
The Lehman Bros. investment bank was hired to sell the two teams, separately or together, in 2002.[3] In May 2003, the company sold the Angels to advertising magnate Arte Moreno.[9] In February 2005, it agreed to sell the Mighty Ducks and the Disney Ice, the team's training facility, to Broadcom co-founder and billionaire Henry Samueli and his wife.[3] The company was later merged out.[1]
