Hasbro is officially assigning master licensing rights for NERF Sport to Franklin Sports, which will help expand the brand’s consumer products reach in markets around the world.

The two companies have been partners since 2021, and Franklin played a key role in the North American relaunch of the NERF Sport brand with its playsets for kids ages six and up, such as Power Blast Baseball, Flex Play Hockey and Trick Shot Golf. 

The Massachusetts-based sporting goods manufacturer will now take over development, manufacturing and distribution of all NERF Sport products, including the Proshot line of foam soccer balls, footballs and basketballs. 

Franklin is also a sports equipment licensee for the MLB, NHL and NFL. All tolled, it manufactures and sells more than 10,000 sporting goods products worldwide through retailers including Walmart, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon. 

The outdoor sports equipment category experienced a boom during the pandemic. And according to a recent report from Dublin’s Research and Markets, this global sales growth is expected to continue at an annual rate of 9.4%, from US$58.7 billion in 2022 to US$120.47 billion by 2030.