JAKKS Pacific Scores Master Toy License for American Gladiators

MALIBU, March 31: JAKKS
Pacific has been named the exclusive worldwide master toy licensee for American
Gladiators by MGM Consumer
Products.

The agreement, brokered
through licensing agent JTMG on behalf of MGM Consumer Products, includes
action figures, accessories, outdoor sports and seasonal products and role-play
toys based on the new American Gladiators series, as well as the classic television version. JAKKS expects to
launch a line of toys and products in spring 2009.

American Gladiators premiered January 6 to an average of 12 million
viewers. Hosted by iconic wrestler Hulk Hogan and women’s boxing champion Laila
Ali, American Gladiators has
been picked up for a second season by NBC and will be part of the network’s
“All-American Summer” special promotion celebrating the 2008 Summer Olympic
Games in Beijing. The network will air all new episodes of American
Gladiators beginning on May 12
with a special two-hour premiere at 8 p.m. The show will then settle into its
regular day and time on Monday, May 19. American Gladiators is produced by MGM Television and Reveille in
association with Flor-Jon Films.

“American Gladiators has all the qualities to make an exciting action
figure and sports activity product line,” said Jennifer Richmond, the senior VP
of licensing and media for JAKKS Pacific. “JAKKS plans on capitalizing on the
brands high energy, extreme action and electrifying lineup of talent to create
a toy line to encapsulate the exciting American Gladiators experience for kids and adults at home.”

“As one of the very first
reality television shows, American Gladiators spanned a decade of exhilarating entertainment,
and with the successful return of the new series, our multimedia campaign and
the new consumer products launch, the Gladiators franchise is definitely thriving,” said Travis J.
Rutherford, the executive VP of consumer products and location-based
entertainment for MGM. “We are excited to introduce a new generation to the
action-packed thrills and intense competition of American Gladiators and JAKKS Pacific is the perfect partner to bring
all the glory of the Gladiators to the toy aisle.”

—By Ned Berke