The event, the ESPN RISE Sports Festival, will take place between July 18 and 25 and involve over 2,000 young athletes, many of whom are among the most heavily recruited in the nation, competing in six sports - softball, baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse and track & field – at the Wide World of Sports Complex. The competition will be televised live on ESPNU and other ESPN Web outlets.
Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises, said: “Through the collaboration of two powerful brands we will be able to help make the ultimate sports dreams come true for young athletes and further establish the Wide World of Sports Complex as the place to compete and watch sports. Athletes will be able to compete and train on world-class fields and courts and be immersed in an experience that only Disney and ESPN can provide.’’
Since Disney opened the sports complex in 1997, nearly 2 million athletes and enthusiasts have competed at the venue including Tiger Woods, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Mia Hamm, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Serena Williams, Shaquille O’Neal and Pete Sampras.
