Business Wars

A fierce rivalry unfolds as Hasbro's acquisition of Tonka gives it a significant lead over Mattel. Tensions rise when Mattel's CEO strategizes to reclaim the top spot with some clever acquisitions. The historical backdrop reveals a bitter competition, marked by legal skirmishes and dramatic merger attempts. The 1996 negotiations between the two toy titans highlight the stakes, revealing how corporate maneuvers can ignite passion among employees and fans alike. This saga of ambition and rivalry showcases the cutthroat nature of the toy industry.

In the 1980s, Hasbro faces dire straits as they strive to reimagine G.I. Joe while contending with the dominance of Star Wars action figures. Meanwhile, Mattel prepares to unleash the Masters of the Universe, igniting fierce competition. Internal conflicts and high-pressure stakes define Hasbro's push for innovation. The rivalry intensifies as both companies strategize amidst market upheaval, revealing the high stakes of toy dominance and shifting consumer preferences in a changing landscape.

Mattel is in turmoil after a disappointing launch of its Sizzlers toy line, facing a $30 million sales shortfall and resorting to questionable accounting practices. Meanwhile, Hasbro struggles with declining interest in its classic G.I. Joe and scrambles for innovation amidst rising costs. Both companies reflect the intense competition in the toy industry during a pivotal era, with Mattel's leadership on shaky ground as they navigate ethical dilemmas and market challenges. Will these giants adapt, or are they destined for decline?

In the 1960s, Hasbro faces bankruptcy as it seeks to innovate with a boy-oriented doll amidst fierce competition. The secretive development of G.I. Joe highlights the design team's struggles against their CEO's strict rules. Meanwhile, Mattel's Barbie strategy ushers in innovation with Hot Wheels, born from personal insights and market observations. The excitement for motorized Sizzlers reveals the pressures both companies face as they battle for toy supremacy, leading to unpredictable financial challenges and rivalry in the dynamic toy industry.

In the late 1940s, two emerging toy companies, Hasbro and Mattel, embark on a fierce journey in a cutthroat industry. The rivalry heats up as Mattel finds success with the Burp Gun, thanks to clever marketing strategies like partnering with 'The Mickey Mouse Club.' The podcast highlights the birth of Barbie and the challenges Ruth Handler faces in making her a success. Barbie transforms into a cultural icon, while the struggle for identity continues for both companies, setting the stage for innovation and change in the toy world.

Mike Pesca, Slate, joins to talk about the biggest risks facing the NFL, whether the Patriots are good or bad for the league, and what our culture would look like if football never took off as a professional sport in the first place. Plus, he talks about his latest book, Upon Further Review: The Greatest What Ifs in Sports History. Hear more from Mike on his daily podcast, The Gist.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The battle between the NFL and the USFL finally comes to a head. Donald Trump has bullied his way to the top of the USFL and pressured his league into suing the NFL for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act.But the NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle is not about to back down. If the NFL settles now, they’ll be opening the floodgates to a slew of new competitors, and costly trials the league can’t afford. The only course of action? Dismantle the USFL so completely that no one even thinks to challenge the NFL again.  Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For nearly two full years, the mighty NFL sat idly by as the upstart USFL tried to chip away at its status, talent, and reputation as the most powerful sports league on the planet. Now, the NFL is ready to settle the score, once and for all.The league commissions a Harvard professor to prepare meticulous, 46-page step-by-step plan intended to squash the USFL in its tracks. Commissioner Pete Rozelle prepares himself for battle—but the battle comes sooner than expected. The USFL files an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, claiming that it has monopolized fall television. At stake? One point three two billion dollars, enough money to kill the NFL.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Description: It’s 1984, and at USFL franchise offices across the country, multi-million dollar contracts are flowing like Gatorade. As the United States Football League prepares for kickoff on its second season, owners race to recruit the best college players, and steal the stars from NFL rosters.Initially, the NFL dismissed the new league as a sideshow stunt. But the USFL’s spending spree has caught the full attention of the veteran league--which is exactly what New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump wants.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

By most measures, the USFL’s debut season is a success. The games post solid numbers--in both ticket sales and television ratings--offering undeniable proof that there’s an audience for professional spring football. Still, the league is hemorrhaging money. At a post-season meeting, the twelve franchise owners vote on what to do with their fumbling investments. Eleven of the owners decide to stay the course, and even expand the league to bring in more capital, but the owner of the New Jersey Generals, J. Walter Duncan, has had enough.Duncan puts the Generals on the market for eight million dollars, hoping the low price will launch a bidding war. But only one man makes an offer: a young, brash, egomaniacal Manhattan real estate developer named Donald Trump.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.