53-468: The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a 220-acre (89 ha) multi-purpose sports complex located at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake , Florida , United States , near Orlando . The complex allows families to combine tournaments and competition with a visit to vacation destinations in the area. The complex includes nine venues and hosts numerous professional and amateur sporting events throughout
106-640: A berth into the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League (for a total of 54 matches), from July 8 to August 11. On August 11, 2020, the Portland Timbers defeated Orlando City SC 2-1 to win the tournament. Meanwhile, the 2019–20 NBA season was concluded at the AdventHealth Arena, HP Field House, and the Visa Athletic Center. 22 teams were invited: the 16 teams in playoff position at the time of the season being put on hold due to
159-452: A joint venture for an Official All Star Hotel . In the fourth quarter of 1997, the company recorded a $ 40 million loss. Too much focus on diversification showed that the original chain was neglected with mediocre food, high menu prices and below normal service. In early November 1998, Barish resigned as board chairman while retaining his board director post and filing to sell some of his company's stock. Earl replaced him as chairman. Barish
212-772: A jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs with damages in the amount of $ 240 million, a fraction of the $ 1.5 billion sought. Disney appealed the judgment, and settled out of court in September 2002 for undisclosed terms. With Planet Hollywood just out of bankruptcy, Disney offered to purchase its All Star Café located here in February 2000 and acquired the lease in March 2000. It became What's Next? Cafe in 2007 before being rebranded as ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill in 2010. In August 2004, 20 acres of additional fields, four baseball diamonds with other multi-use fields, were added under
265-525: A larger company, Pleasurama PLC. For Pleasurama, Earl acquired control of Hard Rock Cafe International (eastern rights company) from co-founder Isaac Tigrett then in 1989 named as chief executive of the company. At the end of 1989, Mecca Leisure acquired Pleasurama. Mecca was then purchased by the Rank Organisation in 1990. While expanding Hard Rock Cafe from seven to 20 locations over the next two years, Earl met Bryan Kestner, with whom he had
318-459: A series of head-to-head competitions between the players. According to event organizers, over the last four years, the Pro Bowl and festivities surrounding it have generated an estimated $ 100-million economic impact for Central Florida. In March 2019, it was announced that Wide World of Sports would host the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. In May 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in
371-563: A shared vision of music, movies, and sports transcending language and other barriers. Planet Hollywood was opened in late 1991 in New York City , at the base of two adjacent office buildings at 130 and 140 West 57th Street . Arnold Schwarzenegger , Sylvester Stallone , Bruce Willis , Demi Moore , and Whoopi Goldberg were some of the actors who became investors/promoters. By the next year, three more locations were opened: London , southern California, and Chicago . In 1993,
424-524: A sports complex, and that Wide World of Sports, which opened 10 years later, was heavily based on their designs. Disney claimed that, while the designs had some similarities, the complex was also similar to numerous other sporting facilities, and the concept of a sports park was too generic for any one group to claim ownership. The two men, represented in part by noted attorney Johnnie Cochran , sued Disney in Orange County civil court . In August 2000,
477-840: Is a themed restaurant chain inspired by the popular portrayal of Hollywood . The company is owned by Earl Enterprises corporation. Earl Enterprises was founded by Robert Earl . It was launched in New York City on October 22, 1991, with the backing of Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone , Bruce Willis , Demi Moore , and Arnold Schwarzenegger . The actors recruited were paid for their appearances and endorsements through an employee stock ownership plan . Further celebrity endorsement included actors Demi Moore , Whoopi Goldberg , Jean-Claude Van Damme , Don Johnson , Cindy Crawford , Melanie Griffith , Tom Arnold , Wesley Snipes , and Danny Glover ; director John Hughes ; and comedian Roseanne Barr . At its '90s peak, Planet Hollywood operated more than 60 worldwide locations. After financial problems,
530-771: Is thus similar in setup to the Little League World Series ). It also hosted the first-ever NBA play-in game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020 bubble basketball . First announced in March 2007, the complex's 10th anniversary year, the Visa Athletic Center (formerly Jostens Center) is a 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m) arena (36% smaller than the HP Field House without
583-457: The 2020 NBA Bubble , MLS is Back Tournament , 2016 Invictus Games , Pro Bowl skills competition from 2017 to 2020, 1997 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships , and Atlanta Braves spring training from 1997 to 2019 among other events. The complex hosted the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. The Tampa Bay Rays used the complex for 2023 spring training, due to Charlotte Sports Park having been heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian . Disney built
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#1732772761050636-698: The Cincinnati Reds . On April 21–27, the main tennis courts hosted the U.S. Men's Clay Court Tennis Championships. A grand opening was held May 15, 1997. The initial build out consisted of nine venues with a 10th, the Olympic velodrome, expected in the third quarter 1997. Initial tenants were Braves & its rookie team, the Harlem Globetrotters , NFL Experience , the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships , Amateur Athletic Union , Official All Star Café and Northeastern University 's Center for
689-650: The Miami Heat 106-93 to win the best-of-7 series 4-2. In 2021, the NBA G League reached an agreement to host the 2020–21 season exclusively at the complex. On March 11, 2021, the Lakeland Magic defeated the Delaware Blue Coats 97-78 to win the championship. A 7,500 seat baseball stadium built in 1997 also has 2,000 more lawn seating. One of the original components of Wide World of Sports, it
742-501: The USL Pro Orlando City Soccer Club during the 2014 season. The team had additional seating added for a total of 5,200 seats. Consisting of four professional baseball fields and one practice infield , the quadraplex also includes batting tunnels, pitching mounds, hitting tunnels, masters pitching machines, and ten bullpens . All fields are equipped for night play. The first venue to be completed at
795-789: The All Star Café's first location in New York City began in August 1995 near the Planet Hollywood and opened on December 18, 1995. Development was started on a Marvel Comics-based restaurant concept and on a Planet Hollywood Squares television game show with King World and Roseanne Barr 's production company based on the Hollywood Squares . With the success of the merchandise, stand alone retail stores, Planet Hollywood Superstores were opened around 1996. As of
848-590: The Baseball Quadraplex, Softball Quadraplex and four multiple purpose fields. One of the fields has 500 permanent seats, and another has 1,000 permanent seats, expandable to up to 3,000 with additional grandstands. Field 17, the field with the larger grandstands, hosts the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic , an annual eight-team preseason soccer tournament featuring Major League Soccer teams. The complex hosted
901-729: The Cool Planet Cafe in September 1997 and announced Whoopi Goldberg as the spokesperson for the chain as well as its private label Cool Planet Ice Cream. There were plans to open 10 locations in 1998, mostly in existing Marriott properties. In August 1998, the first Cool Planet Cafe opened in the Third Street Promenade retail district of Santa Monica, California. At that time, the Host Marriott joint venture had scheduled five locations to be opened by July 1999 and two more by December 1999. Cool Planet branding
954-713: The ESPN complex. The stadium has hosted two regular season Major League Baseball series in 2007 and 2008 featuring the Tampa Bay Rays as the home team. A 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena , formerly the Milk House, Disney Fieldhouse and HP Field House , sponsored by State Farm . It hosts the ESPN Events Invitational college basketball tournament annually. The State Farm Field House has 50,000 square feet (4,600 m) with stadium style seating with
1007-583: The May 1998 IPO circular, the celebrities were only minor holders of stock with Earl and Barish owning 57.2 percent and a 24.2 percent stake owned by Ong Beng Seng . In April 1996, Planet Hollywood went public on the New York Stock Exchange at $ 18 a share. The company's share price reached an all-time high of $ 32 on the first day of trading; by 1999, it was down to less than $ 1. The company has gone bankrupt twice. In addition to going public,
1060-707: The Planet Hollywood Restaurant located in the Forum Shops at Caesars, was permanently closed. The restaurant had been located at the Forum Shops for 29 years. Planet Hollywood opened its original Forum Shops location in July 1994, and subsequently moved to the Forum Shops’ third floor terrace level in 2012. The Cafe Hollywood at Planet Hollywood hotel-casino remains open. In September 2008, Planet Hollywood International Inc. acquired Buca, Inc.,
1113-851: The Study of Sport in Society. Disney bid for the Florida state high school football finals for 1997 but lost to Gainesville. In June 1999, the complex made a deal with the Florida High School Activities Association to host the state prep volleyball championships at the Disney Fieldhouse for three years. USA Trampoline and Tumbling Championships was held at the complex the weekend of June 7, 1997. A former baseball umpire and an architect alleged that they approached The Walt Disney Company in 1987 with plans for
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#17327727610501166-527: The US$ 100 million facility on former wetlands under the direction of Disney Vice President Reggie Williams . Construction started in July 1995. The complex was built to publicize Walt Disney World, fill hotel rooms, grow sponsorship revenue, and build Walt Disney World's position as a sports destination. The venue opened on March 28, 1997, with an exhibition baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and
1219-536: The United States , there were reports that both Major League Soccer and the NBA were in talks with Disney to host the teams to have their respective seasons in the complex. It was then confirmed that the complex would host both leagues. The 2020 Major League Soccer season held the MLS is Back Tournament , which had three regular season matches for each of the 26 teams as well as a bracket tournament to determine
1272-473: The World concept, which would feature a "'star-studded' culinary staff". The company planned to expand by 30 to 40 percent each year in annual revenue and the number of restaurant locations. Additional competitors also started up, including Country Star chain, Harley-Davidson Café, Robert De Niro's Tribeca Grill and Thunder Roadhouse. Some speculated that the company had thinned its resources too much, and, with
1325-559: The area for complex visitors and budget-minded Disney World visitors. Shelved due to economic downturn, the project was revived with the 2013 sale of the property to first phase developer JL Properties Inc. of Alaska. An October 16, 2014, groundbreaking took place for the first phase, consisting of two Marriott International brand hotels which opened in January 2016. From 2006 to 2008, the Disney Channel Games were held at
1378-400: The business in January 2000. Planet Hollywood exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 9, 2000, with the approval of its reorganization plan. New celebrities were sought out for their restaurants while renewing relationships with early recruits. The plan included capital and debt restructuring including a cash infusion plus new products and improvements to decor and the menu. Planet's first website
1431-587: The company filed for bankruptcy in October 1999. Restructuring plan left the company with 35 locations in 2001 and their numbers continued to decline. As of November 2024, there are three restaurants and four hotels operating. Robert Earl had a history of opening theme-restaurants first in Britain (1970s) and in Orlando, Florida. In 1987, he sold this restaurant group (President Entertainments; 70 restaurants) to
1484-460: The company had MBNA issue Planet Hollywood VISA credit cards that gave cardholders priority restaurant seating. Planet Hollywood International and ITT Corporation formed a joint venture for Planet Hollywood casinos. The corporation and Marvel Entertainment Group agreed to launch the Marvel Mania comic book character-based restaurant concept. The company also had started to develop Chefs of
1537-581: The company having $ 359 million in debt on the books to return to his previous employer, Unique Casual Restaurants. By July 1999, Planet Hollywood had sold its Orlando HQ for cash and leased it back for 15 years. On October 12, 1999, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to reorganize. They closed or sold poorly performing Planet Hollywood restaurants and Official All Star Cafes. It moved to focus to its original theme concept, stopping operation of Planet Movies by AMC and sold its Sound Republic units. Schwarzenegger severed his financial ties with
1590-404: The company opened two new locations, Washington, D.C., and Cancun, Mexico, while arranging leases for five new locations. Each new unit, opening with a gala event, generated nearly $ 15 million revenue in their first operational year. With its success, the company continued its aggressive expansion plan in 1994 while turning its attention to developing more theme-restaurant concepts, one of which
1643-713: The complex as its third indoor multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena. Also that month, United States Specialty Sports Association left for the Space Coast Complex in Viera, Florida ending its use of ESPN's complex. Since 2017, the Complex is host of the NFL Pro Bowl activities prior to the game. Besides having open practices for fans, ESPN broadcasts the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown,
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex - Misplaced Pages Continue
1696-415: The complex since 2006. In recent years, the complex has been utilized in wide ranges from many youth and collegiate sports activities to even providing alternative measures for some professional sports leagues to complete their seasons in some safer environments. Some of these following programs and events have taken place in various areas at the complex over the years. Sports complex From Misplaced Pages,
1749-611: The complex was rebranded as the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It received a massive upgrade, having installed HD video scoreboards at several venues, a new complex-wide audio system, and a broadcast production facility. New venues and activities at the complex included the PlayStation Pavilion and Custom Tee Center by Champion. Prior to the rebranding in 2007, Disney announced a 450-acre Flamingo Crossings hotel-and-retail development. It would be located near
1802-535: The complex. In July 2015, it was announced that the 2016 Invictus Games would be held at the complex. The Invictus Games were held from May 8 to 12, 2016. Prince Harry , Michelle Obama , and Morgan Freeman all spoke at the Opening and Closing ceremony. Over 500 service members were in attendance, along with other notable public figures, including former United States President George W. Bush and Second Lady Jill Biden . In early January 2018, The Arena opened at
1855-695: The complex. Due to actor availability issues, The Disney Channel Games were cancelled in 2009 and onwards. From May 9–11, 2014, a WNBA pre-season tournament consisting of four teams was held alongside an AAU girls basketball tournament at the complex, with the Minnesota Lynx winning the tournament over the Chicago Sky 76–69. While the Citrus Bowl was under repairs, the Orlando City Soccer Club played its 2014 home games at
1908-422: The facility, it consists of six fields used for softball and youth baseball . Organized with four fields in circle and two adjacent. A 1,000 to 8,500 seat tennis complex with 10- clay courts with center court stadium and was one of the original nine venues. A 500-seat competition facility for track and field events, designed to International Association of Athletics Federations specifications. This venue
1961-553: The first Cool Planet Cafe opened in Santa Monica, California. In March 1999, Barish resigned as board director and sold shares that week. At a May 1999, shareholder's annual meeting, the company indicated that a delayed-payment agreement was in negotiation and that they were renovating some and are considering closing other outlets. Causing little change on the company's net profit/loss line, Baumhauer resigned in June 1999, with
2014-3200: The 💕 Group of sports facilities A sports complex is a group of sports facilities. For example, there are track and field stadiums , football stadiums , baseball stadiums , swimming pools , Olympic Parks , and indoor arenas . Asia [ edit ] Azadi Sport Complex Cebu City Sports Complex Dasana Indah Sport City Davao City–UP Sports Complex Davao del Norte Sports Complex Deli Sport City Doyo Baru Sport Complex Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex Gelora Bung Tomo Sports Complex Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Jerusalem Sports Quarter Jakabaring Sport City Jalak Harupat Sports Complex JRD Tata Sports Complex Kai Tak Sports Park Kalinga Stadium Lukas Enembe Sport Complex Malaysia National Sports Complex Marikina Sports Center Mimika Sport Complex Nanjing Olympic Sports Center New Clark City Sports Complex Olympic Green Panaad Park and Sports Complex Rawamangun Sports Complex Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Seoul Sports Complex Siliwangi Sport Complex Singapore Sports Hub The Sports Hub Trivandrum Europe [ edit ] Anella Olímpica Athens Olympic Sports Complex Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex First Direct Arena Foro Italico Goudi Olympic Complex Headingley Stadium Hellinikon Olympic Complex Horsfall Stadium Manchester Regional Arena Odsal Stadium Olympiapark Berlin Park Avenue (stadium) Prioritet Serneke Arena Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Torino Olympic Park North America [ edit ] Camden Yards Sports Complex ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex Meadowlands Sports Complex Olympic Park, Montreal South Philadelphia Sports Complex Truman Sports Complex Whistler Olympic Park Oceania [ edit ] Ballarat Sports Events Centre Canberra International Sports & Aquatic Centre Marden Sports Complex Marrara Sporting Complex Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex Murray Sporting Complex Piggabeen Sports Complex Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre Springvale Indoor Sports Centre South Pine Sports Complex Sydney Olympic Park Willows Sports Complex South America [ edit ] Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex Barra Olympic Park Deodoro Olympic Park See also [ edit ] Sport venue Multi-purpose stadium References [ edit ] Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sports_complex&oldid=1257919971 " Categories : Sports venues Sports complexes Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata Planet Hollywood [REDACTED] Planet Hollywood International Inc. (stylized as planet Hollywood , planet Hollywood observatory and ph )
2067-562: The highest row 35 feet (11 m) off the floor. It also features a smaller gymnasium behind the main arena with retractable seating. It was formerly sponsored by the California Milk Processor Board , progenitors of the famous Got Milk? campaign. Beginning in 2018, the arena hosts the Jr. NBA Global Championship, a tournament that features both boys' and girls' teams divided into national and international regions (and
2120-458: The name of Hess Sports Fields. Plans for a 100 lane bowling stadium with restaurant was announced for the complex by Disney officials in May 2008. This stadium would be built and operated by a third party and was supposed to completed in 18 months. About 13 United States Bowling Congress tournaments were expected for the facility. During an ESPN the Weekend kick off event on February 25, 2010,
2173-580: The owner of the Buca di Beppo national restaurant chain. In August 1998, the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Cape Town , South Africa , was the target of a terrorist bombing killing two people. The perpetrators of the bombing stated it was in retaliation for American air-raids conducted in Sudan and Afghanistan. As of January 2024, there are three restaurants and four hotels operating: Cool Planet Cafe
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex - Misplaced Pages Continue
2226-588: The pandemic, including the host Orlando Magic , and the six teams within six games of the eighth and final playoff spot in either conference. The three chosen arenas hosted scrimmages, eight regular season games for each team invited to the NBA Bubble starting July 30, a play-in mini-series, and the entirety of the NBA Playoffs and Finals . On October 11, 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated
2279-422: The stadium seating) that opened in the fall of 2008. The center features six college-size basketball courts , twelve volleyball courts , or two roller hockey rinks . Its seating capacity is 1,200. AdventHealth Arena opened in early January 2018 as the third indoor multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena at the complex. While multipurpose, the venue was designed for cheer and dance events. Its first event
2332-410: The trend of novelty location visits dropping, store revenue would continue to drop. In September 1997, Planet Hollywood International Inc. announced its Cool Planet Cafe ice-cream shop chain which would open 10 locations in 1998. ITT Corporation and Planet Hollywood were in discussion early September 1997 for a Planet Hollywood hotel near Times Square. The corporation then formed on September 24, 1997,
2385-558: The year. In reference to the weekly ABC Sports television show, Wide World of Sports ( Disney bought ABC in 1996), the complex was originally known as Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex from 1997 until 2010, when it was rebranded with the name of the Disney-owned ESPN . The complex is a part of the sports tourism emerging market. The complex is mainly used for AAU tournaments; however, many prominent professional sporting events have taken place here, including
2438-463: Was a joint venture chain of ice cream shops owned by Planet Hollywood International with a movie theme. Host Marriott Services was a partner in developing an additional 10 locations in a joint venture with Planet Hollywood. Cool Planet Ice Cream, which was launched alongside the ice cream shops, was made by Dreyer's and was available in grocery stores with flavors like Blue Berry-More and Die-Hard Chocolate. Planet Hollywood International founded
2491-707: Was formerly known as Champion Stadium , Cracker Jack Stadium and The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports . It was the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves from 1997 to 2019, and the recurring home for the Gulf Coast Braves . The Braves initially announced that 2017 would be their final year in the complex, but their departure would be delayed to 2019. In 2020, the Atlanta Braves officially moved their spring training site to CoolToday Park located in North Port, Florida after 21 years in
2544-714: Was launched with entertainment news and chat rooms. Earl, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and Ong Beng Seng had led restructuring plan which left the company with 35 locations, 25 of which were franchised. Barred due to its bankruptcy, Planet Hollywood International had relisted in May 2000 on the NASDAQ . In September 2000, the Official All Star Cafe in Times Square was closed with the Planet Hollywood taking over its 600-seat location. While this All Star location
2597-492: Was one of the original nine venues. Disney created a third of its events while bidding for other tournaments or attracting long term partners such as the Amateur Athletic Union. As of 2006, the union hosted at the complex 30 to 35 tournaments a year. The United States Specialty Sports Association had reserved six weekends at the complex. Disney also hosted more than 180 events involving more than 30 sports at
2650-822: Was profitable, Planet Hollywood was more profitable. The company was also coming out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In October 2001, Planet Hollywood International filed again for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Blaming the economic slowdown from the September 11 attacks , the company had $ 135 million in debt. In July 2010, Earl hired a CEO and president, David Crabtree, for Planet Hollywood and its parent company from Westgate Resorts. Planet Hollywood Resorts International, LLC signed on Wyndham Hotel Group to develop franchises for Planet Hollywood Resorts in September 2010. In April 2022, Planet Hollywood announced plans to offer more than 60,000 of its memorabilia, including photographs and movie posters, as NFTs under MetaHollywood. In May 2023,
2703-540: Was replaced by William Baumhauer as president. The franchise in Cape Town, South Africa, had a bomb attack in August 1998 . $ 244 million in losses were recorded in 1998. The first Marvel Mania opened in January 1998 near Universal Studios Hollywood . With MTV Networks , Planet Hollywood opened its first Sound Republic in London in mid-1998. In July 1999, the company started its Planet Movies by AMC. In August 1998,
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#17327727610502756-653: Was the Official All Star Café , a sports version of Planet Hollywood. Given permission, they started recruiting professional sports figures and planning its stadium and home cuisine menu and planning its merchandise. The brand's highest-grossing location unit was opened in Las Vegas in 1994 with double the usual seating to 500. This was followed later in the year by another 500-seater at Walt Disney World . With expansion operating smoothly, Earl started working on other area of growth in 1995. Construction on
2809-593: Was the UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, January 12 to the 14, 2018. It has 8,000 seats in standard arena configuration, and features a flexible configuration that can accommodate six regulation-sized basketball or volleyball courts. AdventHealth Arena hosted the Eastern and Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs , along with the 2020 NBA Finals . Marathon Sports Fields, presented by Marathon Petroleum , consists of twelve fields,
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