NFL PLAYERS Debuts Player Caricature Line

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ — NFL PLAYERS, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association, announced today the release of the NFL PLAYERS Caricature line, its first exclusively licensed collection featuring illustrations of current NFL players on a combination of T-shirts, mugs, water bottles, school supplies and other non-apparel products. The unique player images are owned exclusively by NFL PLAYERS and highlight player personalities and individual elements reflective of the markets in which they play.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091001/LA85625)

“The objective of the Caricature line is to showcase our top players in a fresh and lifestyle setting, enabling fans to more directly connect with their favorite players as individual personalities,” said Keith Gordon, Acting President of NFL PLAYERS.

Select grocery and drug retailers have already jumped at the chance to carry the product, with orders placed by Walgreen’s, Cub Foods, Kroger and others. NFL PLAYERS commissioned Peter Green Design (Glendale, CA) to create all of the unique imagery and retained Wisconsin based Retail Sales Solutions as the exclusive distributor of the Caricatures. San Diego based Pro Specialties Group will serve as the licensee for much of the initial product assortment.

“Retailers in the grocery and drug channels have seen a marked increase in demand for licensed product, ranging from general novelties to everyday items like drink ware and T-shirts – this line was created specifically to address that demand. The absence of additional league royalties not only reduces the cost to the manufacturer, but allows retailers to pass the extra savings along to their customers.”

The products hit the market on August 31 and are available at the select retailers above.

    Players and Markets Featured in Caricature Line

    Ben Roethlisberger            Pittsburgh
    Larry Fitzgerald              Arizona
    Peyton Manning                Indianapolis
    Carson Palmer                 Cincinnati
    Chad Ochocinco                Cincinnati
    Tony Romo                     Dallas
    Tom Brady                     New England
    Brandon Jacobs                New York
    Ronde Barber                  Tampa
    Matt Ryan                     Atlanta
    Chad Pennington               Miami
    Brett Favre                   Minnesota
    Adrian Peterson               Minnesota
    Andre Johnson                 Houston
    Brian Urlacher                Chicago
    Jay Cutler                    Chicago
    Brian Westbrook               Philadelphia

    Initial Product Assortment

    Travel Mugs                   Pens and Pencils
    Ceramic Mugs                  Rulers
    Freezer Mugs                  Wristbands
    Plastic 3D Lenticular Cups    Can Koozies
    Mousepads                     Insulated Coolers
    Notebooks                     Static Window Clings
    Caps                          Water Bottles
    T-shirts (adult / youth)

About NFL PLAYERS:

Formed in 1994, NFL PLAYERS is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Representing more than 1,800 active and many memorable retired NFL players, NFL PLAYERS “takes the helmets off” the players and markets them as personalities as well as professional athletes. Through an exclusive sponsorship agreement between the organization and the NFL, players are integrated into NFL sponsor activation programs. In addition, under an exclusive agreement between NFL PLAYERS and the NFL, NFLPLAYERS.COM, the company’s official Web site is part of the part of the NFL Internet Network. Each year NFL PLAYERS negotiates and facilitates extensive player marketing opportunities for players. NFL PLAYERS activities include retail licensing, corporate sponsorships and promotions, special events, radio and television projects, publishing and internet. For more information, please visit NFLPLAYERS.COM.

About Peter Green Design:

Peter Green Design is a creatively driven, results-oriented design and marketing firm, located today in Glendale, California. Founded in 1977 by established illustrator Peter Green, the PGD creative team remains a varied talent pool of strong designers with fine art foundations. Over the decades, Peter Green Design has produced complete entertainment campaigns for hundreds of films from the major movie studios in Hollywood: Disney, Warner Brothers, Fox Studios, Universal Studios and Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Corporate and high-profile projects have included clients such as Sony, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Motorola, Pepsi, Legoland, Earthlink, Princess Cruises, Burger King, and Mattel, to name a few. PGD also produced an award-winning Quake Preparedness Program and 5-A-Day Nutrition Programs for the State of California and nationwide.

About Retail Sales Solutions

Retail Sales Solutions, LLC (RSS) is a nationwide retail program management company, formed in 2006. Founder and President Larry Hooker, along with several retail, sales, and product development industry leaders make up the innovative and retail focused team at RSS. RSS is a single-source provider for product distribution, promotions, licensed programs and product development. RSS works with a number of licensees including NFL PLAYERS, MLB, Disney, CLC, NBA, NASCAR, NFL, Corona, BragHouse and many more. RSS develops custom programs that can include fixtures, corrugate displays, in-store service, inventory management and online ordering/fulfillment systems – a true one-stop-shop.

About Pro Specialties Group:

Pro Specialties Group (PSG) has been a leading marketer and manufacturer of licensed sports products since 1997. PSG’s portfolio has grown to include some of the most well-known licenses in the country including major and minor sports leagues and more than 50 colleges and universities. For years, PSG has been synonymous with exciting and fun fan gear, jewelry and collectibles with the marks of various sports teams. PSG embraces creativity and individuality and has remained at the forefront of the sports industry with products that meet their customers’ high standards through unique, imaginative and innovative designs.

SOURCE NFL PLAYERS