TEMPE, Ariz., June 1, 2004 -- McFarlane Toys, the award-winning international company that produces McFarlane's Sports Picks action figures, has secured a licensing agreement with Killer Bee Inc. to produce action figures of Barry Bonds. The figures will commemorate the 660 career home run milestone that Bonds reached in April 2004. The new agreement will take McFarlane Toys along for the ride as Bonds pursues the only remaining record holding hitters ahead of him: Babe Ruth with 714 career big flies and Hank Aaron's 755 career dingers.
The licensing agreement allows McFarlane Toys -- which is also an official MLB licensee -- to produce game-accurate action figures of Bonds in all sizes and includes worldwide distribution.
"The pursuit of home run records has continued to fascinate sports fans since the arrival of Babe Ruth," said McFarlane Toys founder and CEO Todd McFarlane, who owns both Barry Bonds' 73rd and Mark McGwire's 70th home run baseballs. "Now Barry Bonds is taking aim at the most cherished sports record as he's passed Willie Mays and pursues Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth. We could well be watching baseball history unfold right before our eyes."
McFarlane's Sports Picks Barry Bonds figures are scheduled for release later in the 2004 baseball season and will feature Bonds in an accurate San Francisco Giants uniforms, sculpted in an action pose with authentic game equipment.
"Bonds and McFarlane are the perfect match," said Jeff (JB) Bernstein, managing director of Pro Access, Barry Bonds' official marketing agent. "They have both used hard work, God given talent and attention to detail to redefine greatness in their respective industries."
About McFarlane Toys
In 2001, Todd McFarlane reshaped the sports collectibles market with the introduction of McFarlane's Sports Picks NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB action figure lines. Featuring award-winning detail, accuracy and a reputation for delivering picture-perfect facial likenesses, McFarlane's Sports Picks have been a sellout success with every series and can be found at most major retailers for about $10. McFarlane is also well-known in the sports collectibles world as the owner of several historically significant home run baseballs including Mark McGwire's #70 and Barry Bonds' #73. He also is a part-owner of the Edmonton Oilers. In addition to sports, the company produces action figures of pop culture and cult horror icons from movies, music, comic books and video games. Marquee lines include Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, Terminator 3, The Matrix trilogy, McFarlane's signature creation, Spawn and much more. For more information, visit www.mcfarlane.com.
