Post Eighty One - Ozzzzywald

Oh Oswald, Walt would be rolling around laughing in his grave if he knew they got you back.

Of course, that is old news. They aqcuired the rights to one of Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks original cartoon creations back in february for a trade to Universal for sportscaster Al Michels. A big loss on Universal's part, I would say...


In February 2006, a number of minor assets including the rights to Oswald were acquired by The Walt Disney Company from NBC Universal, as part of a deal which sent sportscaster Al Michaels from Disney's ABC and ESPN to NBC Sports. At the time, ABC had lost its contract for National Football League broadcast rights, and despite recently signing a long-term contract with ESPN, Michaels was interested in rejoining broadcast partner John Madden at NBC for the Sunday night package.

While popularly characterized in the media as a "trade", and a decidedly lopsided one at that, that characterization is faulty. The ownership rights to a cartoon character were transferred from NBC to Disney, and in exchange Disney simply released Michaels from his employment contract, allowing him to sign with NBC.

The deal includes the rights to the character and the original 26 short films made by Disney. Rights to the Universal-produced Oswald films and other related products were not included.

Walt Disney's daughter, Diane Disney Miller, issued the following statement after the deal was announced:

When Bob (Iger) was named CEO, he told me he wanted to bring Oswald back to Disney, and I appreciate that he is a man of his word. Having Oswald around again is going to be a lot of fun.

It was noted to Michaels that the Kansas City Chiefs gave the New York Jets a draft pick as compensation for releasing coach Herm Edwards from his contract.

Oswald is definitely worth more than a fourth-round draft choice. I'm going to be a trivia answer someday.

At least one Oswald cartoon is said to be in pre-production for the moment.

Walt Disney Co. has announced they are released a box set to go along with the Walt Disney Legacy Collections, full of old classic Oswald Toon's. Amazing, I can't wait.

But he is still no Mickey Mouse...

link of the day - Walt Disney Legacy Collection
wiki-link of the day - Oswald The Lucky Rabbit