The title sponsor of largest black college game is pulling out. Disney says it will no longer be a sponsor of the annual Florida Classic played between Famu and Bethune-Cookman University.
Famu and Bethune Cookman officials are meeting Friday morning in Orlando to discuss plans for the Florida Classic.
Disney's announcement comes as the company's sister-company, ESPN, announces another historically black college game is moving to Orlando. The fourth-year MEAC/SWAC Challenge is now scheduled for August 31st in Orlando. The game had previously been played in Birmingham, Alabama.
The two moves announced together might suggest that Disney now intends to put its money behind the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, but the company is not saying so yet. A Disney World spokeswoman says the company was proud of its relationship with the Florida Classic, but decided to bring their sponsorship to a close. Disney has sponsored the Florida Classic for 10 years, contributing a total of $2.7 million.
Famu and BCU have not said if they already have another sponsor lined up, but they are meeting today to decide where to go from here.