The acquisition includes the Backyard Sports I.P., registrations, copyrights, patents, game code and all other assets associated with the brand, and will be operated through The Evergreen Group’s portfolio company, Epic Gear, LLC.

“The Backyard Sports franchise is one of the most compelling youth sports game brands of all time,” Jim Wagner, Manager of The Evergreen Group, said. “The acquisition is a key piece in our larger, overall sports and recreation portfolio strategy.”

“This property has demonstrated its popularity on the video game platforms over time,” Wagner noted. “We are confident the brand will translate to mobile games, and extend to new categories as well.”

The Backyard Sports brand was introduced in 1997, and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide across multiple titles, including basketball, football, baseball, soccer, hockey, and skateboarding. Featuring diverse environments, rich characters, and thrilling “power-up” play, the franchise resonates well with kids and parents alike. Over the years, Backyard Sports has won multiple awards for excellence including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, and Children’s Game of the Year from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.