IIRC, they began their existence as “The Mighty Ducks” consistent with a marketing tie-in with Disney, which had a then recent film of that same name.
“IIRC, they began their existence as “The Mighty Ducks” consistent with a marketing tie-in with D....y, which had a then recent film of that same name.”
Pretty close. I worked for The Mouse, at that time, it was actually a bit more of a ‘perfect storm’. The movie was a hit, and of course, sequels were planned in short order. You may recall the “Greed is Good” chairman of the corporation, Michael “I Sneer”, an egomaniac, of the highest order. His son had a passion for hockey, but no real talent to rise above possible Junior league.
About the same time, The City of Anaheim built a palatial arena, on the speculation that they would be able to attract an NBA team, such as the (Sacramento)Kings, Clippers, or an expansion team. Nothing. Nada. Zip.
Naturally, the city started to panic, with no major tenant, and construction on the arena almost complete.
Up steps Michael I Sneer. He was a big player in Anaheim, due to the famous theme park he ran, along with ownership of the Anaheim MLB team. The NHL was eager to pump up their marketing arm, who better to aid them, than one of the world’s biggest showmen ? I Sneer wanted an NHL vehicle for his son (as an executive, not a player), so a deal was quickly struck -the corporation was awarded an expansion team, to play in Anaheim.
Marketing genius that he was, or at least his underlings were, they named the team, after the movie. They also scored a sponsorship with a bottled water company, and named the arena “The Pond”, nicely tying in with the team name. Young I Sneer got his NHL job, and that was the beginning of the franchise.
POSTSCRIPT: The corporation did not find the synergy, and profit that they desired, by running a famous theme park, an MLB, and an NHL franchise in Anaheim. Add to that, the fact that I Sneer elder, and younger, grew bored with their playthings. A decade later, they began the divestment proceedings, first the MLB team was sold, and rechristened as “The Los Angeles Angels, of Anaheim”. Next up was the NHL team, rechristened simply as “The Ducks”. Finally, after a record of questionable business, and ethical decisions, The nephew of Uncle Walt, the corporation’s founder, was able to stage a coup, and remove I Sneer from his perch, atop the mouse house. IMHO, a happy ending, all the way around !