Champion(R) Athleticwear Unveils New Fan Experience at ESPN Wide World of Sports(R)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Champion® Athleticwear, the performance apparel of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex®, formerly Disney's Wide World of Sports®, today unveiled exciting interactive experiences for fans in celebration of the sport complex's rebranding in Orlando, FL.

As part of the ESPN Sports Complex re-branding, Champion will debut new ESPN Wide World of Sports cast member uniforms.  "The uniforms were designed using the best performance fabrications, to keep the cast members comfortable while performing their job as well as looking their best," said Ned Munroe, Chief Design Officer Champion Athleticwear.  The brand is also introducing the Custom Tee Center, its first interactive retail apparel experience.  On Friday, February 26 fans are invited to meet with Steelers running back and Champion brand ambassador, Rashard Mendenhall at Hollywood Studios.

"Being a part of the rebranding celebration at the ESPN Wide World of Sports is an exciting way to bring our performance apparel partnership with the sports complex to life," said Kevin Hall, Executive Vice President of Champion.  "This event is about celebrating athletes of all levels and our partnership is similarly structured.  We aim to provide brand experiences that appeal to those in the stands as well as on the field."

Visitors to the sports complex will be the first to experience the new Custom Tee Center by Champion where they can customize event t-shirts, jerseys and hoodies. "The Custom Tee Center was created with our mantra, 'How You Play' in mind," said Kevin Hall.  "It's an interactive apparel experience that allows the fan to take our product and make it their own – it's all about how they 'play' and the athlete's event t-shirts should reflect that." Two mobile units and one permanent location will be open for easy consumer access and the center will expand this summer and will offer additional and versatile personalization options.  

Once they have their custom sports apparel, fans can head over to the ESPN Sports Zone at Hollywood Studios on Friday, February 26th, to meet Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall from 12 – 2 pm.  Mendenhall will additionally be in attendance at the ESPN Sports Complex re-branding event on Thursday, February 25th.

The ESPN rebrand further establishes the Wide World of Sports Complex as the premier multi-sport venue for athletes, fans and coaches in the United States and will take the consumer sports experience to the next level.  The competitive, but fun nature of the complex mirrors the appeal of the iconic American sports brand and provides the ideal forum for Champion to continue its celebration of athletes playing at the next level.  Ken Potrock, Senior Vice President of Global Sports Enterprises, who oversees the operation of the Wide World of Sports Complex, says, "The alliance between two iconic American brands has enriched the overall Wide World of Sports experience and we're excited to see how fans respond to both the complex's rebrand as well as Champion's offerings and events throughout the year."  

Champion will host a number of upcoming sports events at ESPN Wide World of Sports, over the next several months, including Disney's Spring Training, AAU Basketball Super Showcase, the Champion Gridiron Kings and two US Lacrosse High School Senior Showcase events.  For more information on Champion visit Championusa.com and for ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disneyworldsports.com.

Champion®

Since 1919 Champion athleticwear has offered a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sport bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories. Champion athleticwear can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores. For more information please contact us at 1-800-999-2249 or visit www.championusa.com. Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc.

About Hanesbrands Inc.

Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE: HBI) is a leading marketer of innerwear, outerwear and hosiery apparel under strong consumer brands, including Hanes, Champion, Playtex, Bali, Just My Size, barely there and Wonderbra. The company designs, manufactures, sources and sells T-shirts, bras, panties, men's underwear, children's underwear, socks, hosiery, casual wear and active wear. Hanesbrands has approximately 45,000 employees in more than 25 countries. More information about Hanesbrands Inc. may be found on the Internet at www.Hanesbrands.com.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 60 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries. Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 220-acre facility features: The Fieldhouse, a 165,000-square-foot fieldhouse which seats 5,500 for basketball; Champion Stadium ballpark (cap. 11,500); Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; Jostens Center, an 80,000-square-foot multi-sport fieldhouse; a track and field facility, including a cross country course; a 10-court tennis complex, with stadium; and the  Innovation Lab,  a real world testing ground for ESPN's Emerging Technology group  to develop on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom. In addition the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 handheld and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from virtually any event taking place at the complex. The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through a state-of-the-art Digital Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.wdwnews.com  for releases, photos and videos.  Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports.

SOURCE Champion