Craftsman(R) Brand to Produce Officially Licensed Major League Baseball Tools, Storage Units and Lawn and Garden Equipment

NEW YORK, April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --The Craftsman brand announced today that Major League Baseball Properties has added Craftsman to an already formidable lineup of companies providing Officially Licensed Products. The four-year deal allows Craftsman to feature  the logos of Major League Baseball and its 30 Clubs on products including hand tools, power tools, tool storage and lawn and garden tools and equipment.  

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100426/CG92707)

"Craftsman, Sears, and Baseball have been American icons for generations," said Howard Smith, Senior Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball. "The addition of Major League Baseball products from Craftsman is a perfect fit, and we know our fans will be excited by this unique relationship and the innovative way that we are able to offer branded products of the highest caliber."

"We're thrilled to be working with MLB and to introduce Major League Baseball-Craftsman products," said Kris Malkoski, Vice President and General Manager of the Craftsman brand for Sears Holdings. "We know that Craftsman consumers are very passionate about our brand in much the same way MLB fans are about 'their' teams, and the agreement with MLB is another way that Craftsman is bringing innovative products to our customers and their devout counterparts who are Major League Baseball fans.  All of the tools and products alike will be permanently branded with the logos of Major League Baseball, providing all of the innovation, reliability and trust in your hands that is Craftsman."  Malkoski added.

All Craftsman hand tools are backed by a lifetime warranty, which means from Spring Training to the Fall Classic and all throughout the off-season, you can turn to Craftsman to enjoy your team, at the top of its game, for a wide range of projects.  It might be the only thing rival baseball fans can agree upon — Craftsman tools are ready for any project season after season.

Whether you put them to the test, or keep a separate set in pristine condition to display your allegiance, these tools are sure to be a hit with collectors and project enthusiasts alike.  

For more than 80 years, Craftsman hand tools, power tools, lawn and garden equipment and garage storage units have been at the center of innovative garages and workrooms across America. Craftsman was ranked as the most trusted tool brand in America in the 2008 Harris Interactive Equitrend Brand Study. For more information on Craftsman's wide selection of products, visit www.craftsman.com.

About Major League Baseball Properties:

The Major League Baseball Clubs formed Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) in 1966 as the Club's agent for marketing and trademark licensing and protection. Major League Baseball Properties is responsible for managing consumer licensing activities, developing national advertising campaigns, cultivating sponsorship opportunities with major consumer brands and corporations, growing the game and the business of baseball outside the United States and creating national marketing programs in conjunction with Clubs, broadcast rights holders and national sponsors. MLBP also operates a full-service video and audio production unit (Major League Baseball Productions), a publishing division and stock photo licensing agency, and manages logistics for the All-Star Game and World Series as well as all other special events. For more information on Major League Baseball, log on to MLB.com.

About Sears Holdings Corporation:

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada.  Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance.  Sears Holdings is the 2010 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year.  Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands.  It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart.  We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually.  Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.  For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at www.searsholdings.com.

About Sportbox:

Boston-based Sportbox®, (www.sportsbox.com) founded in 2002, is an official licensee of Major League Baseball, having been a Licensee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Major League Soccer (MLS), American Hockey League (AHL) and Major League Lacrosse (MLL).  Leveraging direct and ongoing relationships, Sportbox sets itself apart from other firms by offering clients services and insight on all aspects of licensing, advertising, marketing, media, and significant retail experience.  Licensed product categories currently owned or under management include portable audio, video, cellular electronics, the exclusive rights to all terrestrial radios with Major League Baseball along with a new and emerging line of Craftsman/MLB Hand tools, Power tools, Tool storage and Lawn and Garden Tools and Equipment.

Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Visit MLB.com.

SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation