ESPN To Open Research Lab At Disney’s Wide World of Sports
ESPN, which is owned by the Walt Disney Company, is building a research facility titled the ‘ESPN Innovation Lab’ at Disney’s Wide World of Sports according to the Orlando Sentinel. The facility will allow ESPN to test new technologies like virtual graphics during events held at Walt Disney World. Concepts such as the ‘EA Virtual Playbook’ could be tested here first before being rolled out to larger events.
ESPN believes the Wide World of Sports area will be an ideal place to do research on new broadcasting concepts for actual usage since the venue is used year round. The lab is going to be housed in a renovated building and will likely include large windows for guests to view the staff at work.
Five employees for ESPN have already moved to the area from ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, CT, to begin working at the lab. It is expected to formally open this fall.
