Get ready, Commodores: Squishmallows are officially going to college! Jazwares, one of the world’s leading toy companies and creator of the global plush phenomenon Squishmallows, is coming to Nashville to team up with Vanderbilt Athletics for a one-of-a-kind basketball collaboration on the road to March Madness.

For the first time, Squishmallows is bringing its signature softness, personality, and collectibility to a college sporting event, popping up at Vanderbilt’s iconic Memorial Gymnasium when the Dores host Georgia in men’s basketball on February 25 and Alabama in women’s basketball on February 26. Both games will feature giveaways of exclusive Sawyer and Reza Squishmallows sporting the Vanderbilt apparel, pregame activations, and Squishmallows-inspired game breaks and halftime entertainment.

To celebrate the partnership, Squishmallows will host unique pregame activations and surprise-and-delight moments leading up to tip-off. Just before each game, attendees at the Memorial Gymnasium can jump into Squishmallows-themed fun, with additional on-court moments throughout the night. Guests can also look forward to special appearances by Cam the Cat in his own Vandy jersey, teaming up with Vanderbilt's Mr. Commodore for plenty of on-court mascot mayhem and photo-worthy moments.

The chief brand officer of Squishmallows parent company Jazwares, Jeremy Padawer, earned his MBA from the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management in 2001. The concept for the Squishmallows partnership was developed by Owen students with the guidance of Assistant Professor Mario Avila who teaches courses at the intersection of entrepreneurship, sport, and social impact while serving as the faculty director of Vanderbilt’s Center for Social Ventures.

“The Squishmallows and Vanderbilt collaboration started exactly where the best ideas do: on campus,” said Padawer. “Vanderbilt students brought this concept to us, and we immediately knew it had the magic to become something bigger. As a Vanderbilt alumnus, it’s especially meaningful to help bring this takeover to life and celebrate school pride in a fresh, authentic way, on and off the court.”

On February 25, the men’s game tips off at 6 p.m. with the women’s game following the next day at 6:30 p.m. The first 5,000 fans at each game will receive an exclusive custom-designed premium plush giveaway. These highly collectible giveaways feature Sawyer the Squirrel and Reza the Squirrel Squishmallows dressed in Vandy jerseys and headbands. Special chase plush with sparkle details will be available in very limited quantities, making them a rare must-have for fans.

“We're excited to introduce something truly unique for our fans,” said Candice Storey Lee, Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director. “The fact that this partnership began on our campus and connects back to a Vanderbilt alumnus makes it even more special. It’s a celebration of creativity, community, and Commodore spirit.”

From spirited giveaways to Squishmallows-inspired entertainment, attendees will have the chance to take home a unique piece of Vanderbilt memorabilia and be part of Squishmallows history. Tickets for both games are available at vucommodores.com.

For more information on Jazwares’ partnership with Vanderbilt University and other news, visit Jazwares on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and https://www.jazwares.com. For more information and news on Squishmallows, visit Squishmallows on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Squishmallows.com.

ABOUT VANDERBILT ATHLETICS

A charter member of the Southeastern Conference, Vanderbilt Athletics is committed to delivering the preeminent student-athlete experience and leading intercollegiate athletics forward in the 21st century. Fully integrated within the university mission of a holistic and immersive education, we empower student-athletes across 17 varsity sports to reach their full potential as leaders and champions who embody our core values and inspire our community.

ABOUT JAZWARES

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows™, Pokémon™, Hello Kitty™, Star Wars™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and Adopt Me™. In addition to toys, offerings include virtual games, costumes, and pet products. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

ABOUT SQUISHMALLOWS

Launched in 2017, Squishmallows™ has become a global sensation with 590 million+ lifetime plush units sold worldwide. Known for their ultra-soft texture, collectible appeal, and diverse cast of lovable styles, Squishmallows™ has built a devoted fanbase and cemented its place in pop culture. Jazwares™, a global leader in play and entertainment, continues to expand the Squishmallows™ universe through innovative collaborations, new consumer products categories, and unforgettable fan experiences.

​​This release contains disclosures that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "believe," "potential," "should," "continue" or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words.  These forward-looking statements are based upon Jazwares' current plans or expectations and are subject to several uncertainties and risks.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and Jazwares has no specific intention to update these statements.  As a consequence, current plans and anticipated actions may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by Jazwares or on Jazwares’ behalf.