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Team ESPN recognizes the importance of supporting the disability community through sports. Our goal is to increase the awareness of the role of sports in improving the quality of life for people with physical, mental, and health challenges.

Special Olympics Connecticut


Since 1968, Special Olympics has empowered children and adults who are intellectually disabled to emerge in the fields of sports as inspiring and heroic competitors. Since 1980, ESPN has been a proud supporter of Special Olympics' mission. ESPN's support of Special Olympics is one of the best examples of the company's commitment to increasing awareness of disabled sports within the sports community. The company has supported Special Olympics' Night for Heroes Dinners, and a number of Special Olympics sporting events including Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games. ESPN televised the World Games, held in Connecticut in 1995, and we provided coverage of the games in Beijing. 

ESPN is a major sponsor of Special Olympics Connecticut Unified Sports

Unified Sports is a program that combines approximately equal numbers of individuals with (athletes) and without (partners) intellectual disabilities on the same sports teams for training and competition. All participants are of similar age and ability. Unified Sports is an important program because it expands sports opportunities for athletes and partners seeking new challenges. In addition, Unified Sports dramatically increases inclusion in the community by helping to break down barriers that have historically kept people apart.