Franklin Sports reached a licensing agreement with Marvel Entertainment, LLC to develop a collection of sporting goods featuring Marvel's legendary super heroes Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers.
The announcement was made on behalf of Franklin president Larry J. Franklin and Marvel Entertainment President of Consumer Products for North America Paul Gitter.
The Marvel products created by Franklin will include a wide-variety of sports including baseball, basketball, boxing, football, hockey, soccer, tennis and indoor and outdoor games featuring Marvel Classic properties and upcoming feature films from Marvel Studios such as Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers. Initial product will be available to consumers for the holiday season in 2011.
“We are proud to team with Marvel Entertainment to produce sports products featuring their beloved characters,” said Larry J. Franklin. “Marvel Super Heroes complement our existing entertainment licenses and give us the sporting goods industry's most powerful entertainment program. Kids and adults alike will be delighted with the new and exciting products that we plan to introduce.”
Paul Gitter added, “Franklin Sports is a renowned name in the sporting goods industry and we felt they could create an exciting collection inspired by our Super Heroes. This partnership enables Marvel to expand into key retail distribution channels and we look forward to product rolling out later this year.”
Franklin Sports has been the provider of sports equipment for almost 65 years. Its batting gloves are used by more than 150 Major Leaguers. In addition to the Marvel partnership, Franklin has similar relationships with Disney, Nickelodeon, and Hasbro.
