ESPN stresses the significance of establishing friends within sport and the overall impacts that sport provides to people with and without disabilities. They touch on the fact that sport has been used across many domains to positively address societal issues. 

Theme of ESPN Partnership

ESPN partnering with Special Olympics means that they will broadcast Special Olympics events (until 2027 as of right now) and help develop more awareness and promote social inclusion in sports. 


University of Rochester

- Coca-Cola (founding partner) 
- Bank of America 
- ESPN
- Lions Clubs International Foundation
- Gallagher
- Toyota
- United Airlines
- Brightspot
- Microsoft 
- ExxonMobil
- NFL
- NBA Cares

Notable Corporate Partners of Special Olympics

About ESPN Citizenship. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/espn/citizenship/ 

ESPN Citizenship

The partnership with Special Olympics was founded in 2001 and includes programs such as the Opening Eyes, Family Health Forums, Healthy Hearing, Special Smiles. Throughout their programs they have volunteers from various ages. An example of LCIF’s contributions to Special Olympics is that more than 189,000 Special Olympics athletes have been able to access free vision screenings and free eyeglass prescriptions. 

LCIF Partnership

Gallagher is responsible for sponsoring Special Olympics Sport and Coach programming, ensuring people with ID to improve teamwork skills and advance their fitness levels. 

Gallagher Partnership

Toyota differs from other corporate sponsors in which they provide and support grants for Special Olympics to expand Unified Sports programs to Brussels, Japan, and a lot of other countries across the globe. Their theme is “Start Your Impossible” actions. 

Toyota’s Global Expansion

On 29 March 2022, Special Olympics and Bank of America established a \$5 million grant that focuses on unified leadership within athletics, as well as creating opportunities for underserved communities and addressing the corresponding disparities that people with intellectual disabilities face.

Bank of America Grant to Special Olympics

Coca-Cola was the first founding sponsor of Special Olympics, establishing a commitment since 1968. The company has provided more than \$190 million to the organization through specific products, equipment, donations, and marketing support.

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