Former Disney executive unveils plans to create ‘Disneyland of Football’ in Ohio

The whole "I'm going to Disneyland" post-Super Bowl adage could take on a new meaning now. 

Former Walt Disney executive Michael Crawford is attempting to create the "Disneyland of football" near the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, according to The Wall Street Journal. Crawford is heading the in-development building of a resort featuring football-themed hotels, apartments and a water park to be packaged with the Hall, a stadium and a sports complex. 

Despite coronavirus-related health and fiscal concerns, Crawford said his investment group is positioned for a $300-million second phase later this year. That phase would be expected to conclude in 2022 with hopes of COVID-19 concerns lessened by then. 

“The people’s hunger and desire to consume sports and be in environments like arenas and stadiums and destinations like this will be at an all-time high,” Crawford told The Wall Street Journal. “We will be building in a down market and opening in an up market.”

Crawford is a Cleveland Browns fan who began his project in 2018 following a 25-year career at Disney where he helped develop theme parks in the U.S., Japan and China. 

Source: Read Full Article