Mickey Mouse and his friends are going to the Super Bowl. Disney and the NFL have unveiled a new wave of limited-edition Mickey & Friends merchandise timed to the buildup to Super Bowl LXI, the latest expansion of a licensing collaboration between two of the most recognizable brands in American entertainment and sports.
Three new collections launched last Thursday: Disney x Champion, Disney x FOCO and Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs. Each line targets a different corner of the fan market, from apparel to collectibles to digital items.
The Disney x Champion collaboration features an assortment of T-shirts and crewnecks celebrating the upcoming championship game. Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs, meanwhile, is offering Mickey & Friends Super Bowl LXI digital pin packs for collectors.
For fans who want to show allegiance to their own franchise, the Disney x FOCO collection covers all 32 NFL teams. The range includes plush, clip-on plush, bobbleheads, figurines and clear stadium bags, all pairing team spirit with Mickey & Friends characters.
"Sports is a growing area for Disney Consumer Products, reaching highly engaged audiences and sitting at the center of culture," said Paul Gitter, executive vice president of global licensing at Disney Consumer Products. He said that as ESPN follows the road to Super Bowl LXI, the products give fans another way to connect with the teams, athletes and stories they love, while Mickey & Friends bring a uniquely Disney expression to the heart of NFL culture.
The Disney and NFL collection first debuted in August, and the companies said additional product drops inspired by Mickey & Friends are on the way from Crocs, Just Play, New Era, WinCraft and more from Champion as the football season advances toward the title game.
"The NFL and Disney are embarking on one of the most exciting chapters in our shared history," said Casey Collins, senior vice president of consumer products and licensing at the NFL. With new products already in the market and more to come before Super Bowl LXI airs across Disney's networks and platforms, Collins added, "there is no better time to be a fan of these two iconic brands."
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of Disney's Super Bowl What's Next campaign. The milestone will be celebrated with the Super Bowl airing on ESPN and ABC and streaming on Disney+ for the first time.
