2007 WSSA World Sport Stacking Championships on ESPN

2007 WSSA World Sport Stacking Championships on ESPN

Telecast to air Friday, AUGUST 17th at 1 p.m. ET

Tune in to find out who has the fastest hands in the world!

MALIBU, Calif., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Sport stacking, the fast-action sport of speed and skill, once again returns to ESPN with the telecast of the 2007 WSSA(R) World Sport Stacking Championships on Friday, August 17 at 1 p.m. ET. This year's championship, sanctioned by the World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA), drew over 1,100 competitors from 32 states and 7 countries. With many new world records recently set in the sport, the competition was fierce to see whose skill and determination would dominate this year's event. Sport stackers of all ages competed in a variety of individual timed events, doubles and relay matches in hopes of coming out on top and maybe even setting a new world record of their own.

This unique, lightning fast sport is currently practiced by millions of kids worldwide, many of whom were first introduced to the sport as part of their school's physical education curriculum. The sport has become an even bigger phenomenon since the official equipment of the WSSA, called Speed Stacks(R), debuted at retail last fall. For the upcoming holiday season, the Speed Stacks manufacturer, Play Along(R), a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc.(NASDAQ:JAKK) , is upping the challenge by offering the new Speed Stacks(R) Glow-In-the-Dark StackPack(R). When the lights go down, the competition lights up!

About Sport Stacking

Sport stacking is a competitive sport that involves up stacking and down stacking 12 specially designed Speed Stacks cups in predetermined formations at "faster-than-light" speeds. Already included in over 20,000 schools and youth organizations worldwide (up 15% since 2006!), sport stacking has become a popular pastime for both boys and girls of all ages. Played solo, with a partner or on a team, sport stacking is an addictively fun activity for the whole family to enjoy!

About the World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA)

The WSSA promotes the standardization and advancement of sport stacking worldwide. This association serves as the governing body for sport stacking rules and regulations, provides a uniform framework for sport stacking events such as Stack Meets, Leagues and Tournaments and sanctions sport stacking competitions and records. The WSSA World Sport Stacking Championships take place every year in Denver, Colorado and draws over 1,100 competitors from around the world. For more information, visit http://www.worldsportstackingassociation.org/.

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc. is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU), ESPN and ESPN2 HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (32 networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

About Play Along

Play Along(R), a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc., is the award-winning toy company behind some of the most recognizable and popular children's toy licenses in the world, including classics like Cabbage Patch Kids(R) and Care Bears(R), as well as new favorites like Disney Channel's Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls. In addition to traditional toy lines, Play Along also manufactures and markets Speed Stacks(R), the official equipment of the World Sport Stacking Association. Play Along's products are found at specialty, gift and major mass retailers worldwide. For more information about Play Along's products, visit http://www.playalongtoys.com/.

About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific(R), Play Along(R), Flying Colors(R), Creative Designs International(TM), Road Champs(R), Child Guidance(R), Pentech(R), Trendmasters(R), Toymax(R), Funnoodle(R), Go Fly a Kite(R), Color Workshop(R), JAKKS Pets(TM) and Plug It In & Play TV Games(TM). JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit http://www.jakkspacific.com/.

Speed Stacks(R) (C)2007 Speed Stacks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Play Along(R) & (C)2007 Play Along, a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. (C) JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All Right Reserved.

   CONTACT:   Genna Rosenberg                           Nate Smeltz   JAKKS Pacific, Inc.                       ESPN   310-455-6235                              860-766-4550   gennar@jakks.net                          nate.smeltz@espn.com    Jen Bernstein   Play Along, a division of JAKKS Pacific   954-596-2210   jbernstein@playalongtoys.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

CONTACT: Genna Rosenberg of JAKKS Pacific, Inc., +1-310-455-6235,
gennar@jakks.net; or Jen Bernstein of Play Along, +1-954-596-2210,
jbernstein@playalongtoys.com; or Nate Smeltz of ESPN, Inc., +1-860-766-4550,
nate.smeltz@espn.com

Web site: http://www.jakkspacific.com/
http://www.worldsportstackingassociation.org/
http://www.playalongtoys.com/

---

Profile: International Entertainment