NEW YORK – Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a global character-based entertainment licensing company, and the National Basketball Association today announced a collaboration to launch an exclusive collection of co-branded merchandise featuring NBA team logos alongside some of the most renowned Super Heroes in the Marvel Universe.

The Super Hero-inspired line will include co-branded apparel and accessories, with artwork featuring a variety of Marvel Super Heroes – including premier character brands Spider-Man, Iron Man and Captain America, among many others – dressed in NBA team colors and logos.

The collection will launch with headwear and apparel, including T-shirts and sweatshirts by C-Life, in sizes ranging from infant to adult, as well as headwear by New Era, and will look to expand into other key categories, including sporting goods and novelty items. Modell’s and Madison Square Garden will launch the New York collection and the STAPLES Center will be the first destination for L.A. Lakers co-branded merchandise to debut at the NBA All-Star game on Feb. 20, 2011.  The products will then be made available in other national and regional sporting goods retailers, specialty stores, additional NBA arena stores, and mid-tier channels sports apparel departments.

“We are excited to launch this partnership with the NBA, whose fan base and retail distribution channels provide a great opportunity to expand the reach and exposure of our brands,” said Paul Gitter, President of Consumer Products for North America, Marvel Entertainment.

“The NBA is filled with highlights as amazing as the feats of Marvel’s storied characters,” said Vicky Picca, Senior Vice President, Licensing and Business Affairs, NBA Global Merchandising.  “Given the awe-inspiring attributes of our brands, the combination of our teams and premier Marvel characters is a perfect fit.”

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.