Disney, the NFL, Champion, and Fanatics have officially launched a collaborative apparel collection that fuses two of the world’s most powerful fan ecosystems: sport and storytelling. The project, which matches all 32 NFL teams with iconic characters from Disney, “Star Wars,” Marvel, and Pixar, aims to bring together four brands sitting at the intersection of sport, culture, commerce, and fandom. The partnership features a line of sweatshirts, T-shirts, and hoodies that represent a significant expansion of Disney’s footprint across the sports landscape.
Fanatics Fest NYC Hosts the Disney Fan Draft Debut
The collection made its debut at Fanatics Fest NYC, a major celebration of modern sports fandom held at the Javits Center. During the event, the collaboration was unveiled through an inventive Disney Fan Draft
format, described by Disney as a way of reimagining the NFL Draft through an unmistakable Disney lens. This debut allowed fans to get a first look at the collection and purchase the initial wave of merchandise at the Disney | Champion Fan Zone.
While the first eight team-character pairings were revealed on-stage at Fanatics Fest on July 16, the full collection featuring all 32 NFL teams is scheduled to launch in August. At that time, the merchandise will be widely available online at Fanatics.com, NFLShop.com, and DisneyStore.com, as well as select Lids locations nationwide. Fans looking to secure items for their favorite teams can sign up for a waitlist to be notified when the remaining two dozen pairings arrive.
Marcus Rosie and Disney Consumer Products Define Creative Vision
The development of the collection involved an extensive research phase, ensuring that each pairing was built on shared cultural relevance. Marcus Rosie, Disney Consumer Products’ Global Creative SVP, shared the vision for the project exclusively with WWD: Great collaborations are built on shared cultural relevance, and that’s what made these pairings so compelling from a design perspective. By merging Disney’s character storytelling with the visual language of NFL fandom, we created a collection that feels equally at home in sports culture and everyday style.
The creative team, including Bret Healey, Director of Graphic Design at Disney Consumer Products, utilized specific team-character links to ground the designs. The first eight pairings showcased at the Fanatics Fan Draft include:
- Buffalo Bills and the Beast: Representing raw strength and duality, specifically intensity with a loyal edge.
- Dallas Cowboys and Woody: Chosen for confidence and timeless appeal, rooted in classic cowboy iconography.
- Las Vegas Raiders and Darth Vader: Selected for edge and mystique, reflecting a natural alignment of legacy power and presence.
- New England Patriots and Captain America: Representing heritage and heroism, a modern take on an enduring symbol of leadership and patriotism.
- New York Giants and Wreck-It Ralph: Designed to be big, bold, and unstoppable, balancing strength with heart.
- New York Jets and Buzz Lightyear: Anchored in speed, flight, and confidence, drawing on aviation roots.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Captain Hook: Featuring pirate legacy with attitude, described as expressive and unmistakable.
- Washington Commanders and Hamm: Chosen for grounded strength, serving as a direct tribute to the legendary offensive line known as “The Hogs.”
Roger Goodell Promotes Partnership Through Mickey Mouse FaceTime
The monumental nature of the partnership was teased earlier in the month through a co-branded social media trailer starring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. In the promotional clip, Goodell is seen taking professional advice from Mickey Mouse over FaceTime, highlighting the close bond between the NFL and Disney, both of which are rooted in rich legacies and passionate fandom. According to the collaborating partners, this initiative is just the first chapter of a broader collaboration, with the strategy focused on meeting fans where they are, whether inside a stadium or at cultural events like Fanatics Fest.
For Disney, this is not the first entry into professional sports crossovers. The company previously launched MLB-themed trading cards across all 30 teams, and this new NFL effort is intended to spark discussion, inspire discovery, and create new connections between sports fandom and Disney storytelling. As the 2026 NFL season approaches, the partners are encouraging fans to follow Disney Style, NFL Style, Champion, and Fanatics Fest for updates on further product drops and live fan experiences.
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