Too Much Electric Football

Almost 40 different Electric Football games were available in 1972. That was a much different number from a decade earlier, when Tudor and Gotham combined for a grand total of four different models in 1962. And while it was a testament to the Electric Football’s immense popularity, the marketplace really wasn’t big enough to carry such a wide variety of games.

Yet this did little to dissuade the ever-ambitious Munro Games. The company showed up at Toy Fair with 11 Electric Football games, including three different Joe Namath models. (The Joe Namath endorsement was the main reason that Munro bought Gotham).

A New Logo and a New Name For Tudor

Tudor came to Toy Fair with a new name and logo. “Metal Products” was gone from the name, replaced by the more fun sounding “Tudor Games.” In addition to the new Tudor name, there were redesigned graphics and packaging. The Electric Football line had been streamlined as well. Tudor cut the number of NFL games it was selling in half. There were only four NFL models this year, compared to last year’s eight.

Norman Sas knew that there were too many companies selling too many games. The Electric Football marketplace was going to be a challenge in 1973. Even for Tudor Games, who had the advantage of the NFL license.

Earl & Roddy

To learn more about Electric Football, please check out The Unforgettable Buzz, Electric Football Wishbook, and Full Color Electric Football!