Press Release
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a global character-based entertainment licensing company, announced today that its famed Super Heroes are heading back to school and enrolling in the University of Southern California (USC). Through an agreement with Silver Star Merchandising, the apparel, manufacturer and distributor subsidiary for the Dallas Cowboys, Marvel has licensed its Super Heroes for a co-branded apparel program dedicated to USC.
The collection combines one of the most recognizable athletic programs in the nation with some of the most popular Marvel Super Heroes of all-time including Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and Wolverine. Featuring apparel and headwear for infants, kids, and adults, the collection will feature your favorite Super Heroes in USC’s school colors of Cardinal and Gold, along with its Trojan mascot and logos.
The product line will be available at mass and sporting good retailers, USC bookstores and online beginning in late September. Earlier this year, Silver Star Merchandising announced a wide-ranging license agreement with USC to manufacture and distribute fashion jerseys, t-shirts, hats and other athletic-themed apparel.
“By adding a premiere college institution with one of the largest alumni bases in the country, Marvel further extends our brand into the sports marketplace,” said Mike Jerchower, Director of Licensing for Marvel Entertainment. “The Marvel-USC team up is an exciting addition to our wildly successful co-branded apparel programs with the NBA and the Dallas Cowboys.”
“As the first university to have the ability to co-brand with Marvel’s iconic Super Heroes, we are excited to collaborate on this new, unique line of apparel,” said Matt Curran, USC’s Director of Trademark Licensing. “Given that USC is located in the heart of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, we believe our partnership with Marvel is a natural fit that will resonate with alumni, students, and fans.”
About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.
6 Comments
USC? Barf!! *Cue “trojan” jokes”
Keep the money train pulling into the station Marvel. Make mine Ka-Ching!
Maybe they should farm out individual characters to corresponding college teams.
Beta Ray Bill to SMU (Mustangs)
Wolverine to Michigan (Wolverines)
Howard the Duck to Oregon (Ducks)
I’m not even much of a fan of any kind of sports, but I would definitely buy a shirt with Howard the Duck on it.
Still seems as pointless and incomprehensible as the “we’re gonna sell merch off Marvel Heroes and sports” ploy from a few months back.
To be honest, Frank’s way of doing things seems like the sensible one; at least, it makes sense.
So is this the direct result of joining the mouse house? Thanks Disney, don’t leave any stone unturned to make another dollar.