Yowie Group has secured the licensing rights to develop, manufacture, and sell National Basketball Association (NBA) themed Yowie toys in the US, Australia, and New Zealand until September 2026. Meanwhile, Keybridge Capital says it now has more than 50 per cent voting power in Yowie and its off-market takeover bid has been extended to 26 April.
NBA Yowies
Yowie Group chair, Sean Taylor, said the company was excited to launch the NBA range at the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
“We welcome the addition of the NBA and the opportunities this brings to execute the company strategy to drive growth and increase revenue for the Yowie,” Taylor said.
The initial offering will be a foiled chocolate hollow NBA basketball containing an NBA themed Yowie toy. It will be produced in the USA and will include a toy for each of the 30 NBA teams.
It’s the latest licensing deal for the confectioner, which signed similar deals with the ARL, AFL, and BBC Studios Australia for Bluey in 2023.
The Bluey licence ends on 30 June 2026 and the ARL and AFL expire on 31 October 2024. At the time, Yowie said the terms of the agreements included a commitment Yowie would make minimum guaranteed payments/licence fees of up to $1 million over the term of the agreements.
With the addition of the NBA, Yowie said that commitment is now at least $2.5 million.
The company said it’s considering its funding requirements for the successful launch of the NBA product, which, if required, may include a capital raising or debt funding in addition to its current cash reserves.
“Yowie will continue to look to acquire relevant large-scale licenses both here in Australia and globally to complement ‘better for you’ consumer and retailer demand.
“These licenses allow us to produce innovative small snack format treats for children that add value beyond that which is contained in the actual chocolate, like Environmental awareness, family values and physical activity. The synergies between NBA and Yowie are terrific,” Taylor said.
Yowie Group’s first NBA licensed confectionery products will be available in early 2025.
Keybridge Capital takeover bid continues
Meanwhile, at press time, Keybridge Capital had increased its shareholding of Yowie Group to 56 per cent.
On 15 April, Keybridge told the ASX its shareholding at grown to more than 50 per cent (on 12 April). That meant the offer period for its off-market takeover bid for Yowie Group at 3.4 cents per share – announced in February – was automatically extended to 26 April.
