NHL Expands With Stan Lee's "Guardian Project"

Guardian Media Entertainment, LLC (GME), a company formed by SLG Entertainment (SLGE), LLC, led by Stan Lee of POW! Entertainment, LLC and NHL Enterprises (NHLE), LP, report on their equity partnership with NBCUniversal (NBCU), whereby NBCU will provide cross-platform media support of ongoing content and product launches for "The Guardian Project", a 'Stan Lee' franchise that includes 30 superheroes representing each National Hockey League Club.

NBCUniversal, the Comcast unit that runs the company's TV networks, recently struck a 10-year deal with the NHL. With the new terms, NBCUniversal channels will air more regular season and Stanley Cup Playoff games, and includes rights to online-video streaming of the games.

"The Guardian Project" has been developed for transmedia storytelling and GME will continually roll out plotlines for all 30 original superheroes across multiple platforms over a number of years.

In the near-term, GME intends to launch a publishing initiative consisting of comic books and a novel in addition to the expansion of "Guardian Project" branded merchandise currently available for sale at retail, online and in-arena.

The brand will also be extended through social and mobile gaming platforms in the first quarter of 2012. GME is also in early stages of discussions for development of a television series and long-term plans include the creation of films, games, theme park presence and global extensions.

Stan Lee, his producing partner Gill Champion and POW! will oversee all creative direction and story development.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Guardian Project"...