A Battle For Toy Buyers

With four different companies making Electric Football games, catalog space and toy store shelf space was becoming scarce. The problem was so serious that by summer there would only be three Electric Football makers left, as the ever ambitious Munro Games absorbed Gotham.

Sears offered Tudor, Coleco, and Munro Electric Football space in its 1972 Christmas Wish Book. Tudor had the most real estate – all of it in color – while Munro also got a color page. While Coleco was relegated to black and white.

Ward was totally Tudor with two Ward-specific models. J.C. Penney went with Coleco Command Control as its featured game, including a Coleco model with legs. Spiegel also favored Coleco’s Electric line.

Electric Football was everywhere at Christmas, with both Sears and Ward putting large Tudor games in their ads. And there were a lot of ads in 1973. Electric Football’s profile had never been higher.

Earl & Roddy

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