ESPN Consumer Product Establishes Licensing Relationship with American Sporting Goods

X Games Gear Footwear Line Expected in Spring 2008

ESPN Consumer Products announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with California-based, athletic footwear wholesaler and manufacturer American Sporting Goods Corp (ASG) to develop and launch the X Games Gear’s footwear line.  The comprehensive footwear line will be managed, designed and developed through ASG’s Extreme Sports division Nice Skate Shoes (NSS).

Slated for a Spring 2008 launch, the X Games by NSS footwear collection will feature styles including, but not limited to, casual, lifestyle, athletic and performance shoes/sneakers; slides; slip-ons; slippers; sandals; boots; and flip-flops.  The line will be distributed through specialty retail outlets as well as select sporting goods retailers, mid-tier department stores and better family footwear stores.

“We are excited to expand our successful X Games Gear apparel and accessories business by including the footwear category,” said Steve Cipolla, vice president and general manager, ESPN Consumer Products Licensing.  “Working with ASG and their established core NSS brand, reinforces our commitment to bringing action sports fans quality consumer products that continue to build the X Games franchise."

ASG entered into the Action Sports arena through its acquisition of lifestyle brand NSS seven years ago and has provided high quality footwear to the action sports market ever since. 

“The combination of ASG’s manufacturing assets, extensive proprietary technology base and ESPN’s and X Games brand strength and media prominence is a winning formula,” said Tom O’Riordan ASG’s President and CEO.  “X Games by NSS footwear will capture the essence of individuality, creativity and performance sport that defines the action sports culture.”

ASG has assembled an experienced product team to leverage the company’s extensive resources and know how to offer a compelling range of trend right performance product to the market.  X Games by NSS will be promoted utilizing ESPN and EXPN's multimedia platforms, as well as through grass roots events. 

ESPN Consumer Products

ESPN Consumer Products serve the fan and reflect the assets and equity of ESPN.  ESPN Consumer Products oversees the development of product lines under the ESPN, X Games and BASS brands.  The X Games Consumer Products is a full line of action sports-themed products designed for the action sports fan and enthusiast, product lines include lifestyle apparel, sporting goods and protective gear.

About ESPN’s X Games Franchise

ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain.  The global franchise has also expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs.

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