The Walt Disney Company does not hold any ownership stake or operational control over the Anaheim Ducks franchise, having sold the team completely back in 2005. Disney originally created and launched the franchise in 1993 as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim as a brilliant corporate synergy play to promote their hit movie and sell massive amounts of hockey merchandise worldwide. However, as corporate priorities shifted away from owning physical sports properties, CEO Michael Eisner authorized the sale of the team to billionaires Henry and Susan Samueli, who subsequently dropped "Mighty" from the name, redesigned the logo and color scheme, and ushered in the modern era of the franchise.