Last year I was lucky enough to stay at Disney’s Pop Century at Disney World. I had a great conversation with Front Desk Cast Member, Hal of Freehold, NJ (by way of Mountain View, CA) who filled me in.
Before Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney created his first character, Oswald the Rabbit while under contact to Universal Studios in 1927. A year later, Walt left and formed his own company. He had to leave Oswald behind and went on to create Mickey Mouse.
Fast forward to 2005 when Disney® owned the ABC and ESPN network. John Madden and Al Michaels were the hosts of ESPN’s Monday Night Football on ABC. ESPN was making some changes and moving the broadcast to ESPN. NBC (which is owned by Universal Studios) began airing a night football called Sunday Night Football and John Madden moved there as the host. Al Michaels wanted to join John Madden at NBC. Disney® would graciously allow Al Michaels out of his contact but all they wanted in return was Universal Studios to turn over Oswald the Rabbit. Thus, Oswald the Rabbit became a Disney® Character again.
°o°