Strategy May 22, 2024
Mattel, Professional Women’s Hockey League Take Barbie to the Rink With Merch Collab
From doctor to ballerina and now hockey player, Barbie has found a new niche.
She really can do it all.
The spirit of Barbie, the beloved doll whose pop culture relevance was reignited by Greta Gerwig’s 2023 film, is headed to the hockey rink. Mattel has teamed up with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) for a line of Barbie-tastic merchandise.
The eight-piece collection features hoodies, T-shirts, a drawstring bag, a tumbler and a tote bag, all accented with touches of Barbie Pink. Motivational slogans like, “Crushin’ Limits,” “Chase Your Dreams,” “Dream It Do It” and “Goal Getter” decorate the items, in line with the collection’s inspirational aims.
“Our league strives to empower young girls to see the potential of their dreams, just as many of our players did while growing up playing hockey,” said Amy Scheer, the league’s senior vice president of business operations. “Barbie has long stood for the limitless possibilities available to girls, and this new collection allows us to continue merging our visions to reach the next generation of athletes and leaders.”
The PWHL, which began its inaugural season on Jan. 1, announced in February that Mattel would become an official partner of the league. The partnership originally consisted solely of child-focused inspirational videos, “in-arena rink boards and in-game moments.” However, fan excitement for the partnership incentivized the merchandise collaboration, according to a statement released Monday.
Ranging in price from $12 to $65, the collection features co-branding throughout, with the Barbie silhouette or logo paired with the PWHL logo. Hoodie sleeves are printed with “Barbie x PWHL.” And in a nod to Barbie’s “birthday” (the first year the doll was produced) of 1959, the back of a tee mimics a jersey with “Barbie” written over “59.”
“As Barbie celebrates 65 years, she remains a constant source of inspiration for fans and society to dream big and follow bold pursuits,” said Meredith Norrie, Mattel’s vice president of global licensing and consumer products. “We hope this collection will strike a chord in the next generation, encouraging them to reach for the stars and chase their dreams with confidence.”
Items are available for purchase online at the Official Shop of the PWHL.