University Games and John Hansen: The Circle Completes

- UG to Distribute Full Hansen Product Line -

San Francisco, CA – (July 3, 2025) - Bob Moog, President of University Games, and John Hansen III, CEO of the John N. Hansen Company, announced today a global distribution agreement granting University Games exclusive worldwide rights to distribute the complete Hansen product line. This includes Hoberman Spheres, Fame Master models, handheld electronic games, Hansen- branded classic games, and a variety of distributed games and dolls.

Bob Moog explained the personal importance of this new agreement: “In 1985, when we started University Games, our first customer was John Hansen who started the John N. Hansen Co. in 1947 as a gift distributor. John was my mentor as well as our first customer. At a time when games were still sold to department stores and the NY Stationary Show was Hansen’s biggest show, the two companies worked together to launch Murder Mystery Party games, the Aerobie and the 20 Questions game. John ordered the first 5,000 Murder Mystery Party games and he paid in 10 days so that we had money to pay the printer for the games. This generous gesture by John Hansen gave University Games its start. I worked with John until he died, then John Jr. and now John’s grandson, John Hansen III.”

Moog further explained the significance of the distribution deal saying, “This arrangement means as much to our company and to me personally as any of our 17 acquisitions. 40 years after John Hansen gave University Games its start, I can now pay his family back by sending the John Hansen products to a higher level on a worldwide basis.”

John Hansen III agreed, “I know that my grandfather would share my excitement at handing over the distribution reigns to Bob and University Games. They were my first choice for this next step for the Company.”

While this agreement positions University Games to be a full-service supplier for board games, electronic games and puzzles, it is the joining of four decades of friendship between the companies that makes this a special example for the toy industry.

For retailers wanting to order John N. Hansen or University Games products, the ordering process will not change for 2025. All retailers should continue to order from their current sales reps or directly from University Games for either product line.

About University Games: University Games is a leading game and puzzle publisher founded in 1985 by Bob Moog and Cris Lehman. The company also markets under the Briarpatch, The Learning Journey International, Forbidden Games, Front Porch Classics, Great Explorations and BePuzzled brands in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and throughout the world. For more information, visit www.universitygames.com and interact with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.

For interviews, please contact Sara Silver at Saras@ugames.com, 415-934-3744 orGreg Walsh, Walsh PR, greg@walshpr.com, 203-216-6101

Suggested Interview Topics:

• University Games 40 years and growing

• John N. Hansen 1947-2025

• University Games Big Celebration

• Circle of Business (Two Companies Joining Up)