Hasbro, a global branded entertainment leader, announced today a licensing agreement with Franklin Sports, a leading manufacturer and retailer in the sporting goods industry, to expand its retail production and distribution of NERF Sports products globally. Hasbro will collaborate closely with Franklin to deliver brand-new innovations for the leading action-based performance brand, while expanding the product line’s retail distribution in markets around the world.
“In 2021 we started our relationship with Franklin to create NERF-branded products across a wide range of sports that delivered tremendous fun with forward thinking designs and features,” said Jess Richardson, Vice President, Global Toys & Games, Licensed Consumer Products at Hasbro. “Franklin has proven to deliver successful ranges of NERF Sports products, and we are excited to deepen our collaboration through a long-term strategic partnership to create even more quality products. We think this deal will further help us unlock NERF’s full potential in the sports category for fans across the globe, and we can’t wait to unveil what’s to come with the exciting new line of products.”
For over 50 years, NERF has remained an unrivaled category leader and the brand continues to expand through innovative products, digital and gaming offerings, licensed products, sports expansion, in-person experiences, talent partnerships, the brand’s first-ever mascot introduction with Murph and much more–turning NERF into the social, active play lifestyle brand it is seen as today.
With this new deal structure, Franklin Sports will now be taking over the development, manufacturing and distribution of franchise products like the Vortex, Pro Grip and Weather Blitz footballs, and Nerfhoop and Franklin Sports will now be the master licensee for Nerf Sport.
“We are excited to expand our Nerf Sport product lines through our long-term strategic partnership with Hasbro,’ said Adam Franklin, President of Franklin Sports. “Since partnering with Hasbro, we have been able to bring a new level of fun and excitement to traditional sport products. This next chapter in our relationship will allow Franklin to grow our distribution, promoting active play and bringing the power of Nerf to kids everywhere.”
Based in Stoughton, Massachusetts, Franklin is a leading sporting goods brand that has a catalog of over 10,000 products across many different sports. The brand has official partnerships with Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL), and hundreds of professional athletes. Celebrating more than 75 years in the business, Franklin is a multigenerational, family-owned company that has built its business on delivering quality and value to its customers – from the recreational level all the way up to the professional ranks.
For more information on NERF Sports, please visit nerf.hasbro.com.