Backyard Sports video game series to be rebooted

Backyard Sports is making a comeback.

Playground Sports announced Tuesday that the popular video game series is being revived, promising that it will return "bigger and better than ever while staying true to what made the franchise so special."

The company said the relaunch will happen in the coming months and will expand across multiple verticals, including video games, merchandise, film, television, and more.

"Backyard Sports is more than just a game; it's a cherished part of childhood for millions of people," Playground Productions founder and CEO Lindsay Barnett said in a statement. "I look at media as the largest classroom in the world. As such, our goal is to produce meaningful content that not only entertains but also educates and inspires. The return of Backyard Sports is the perfect embodiment of that goal."

Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce revealed earlier this year that he had been looking into rebooting Backyard Sports, calling it the "best game ever."

The Backyard Sports franchise initially launched in October 1997 with the release of Backyard Baseball. It later expanded to include football, soccer, basketball, hockey, and skateboarding versions, all of which featured professional athletes as animated kids.

Playground Productions didn't confirm whether professional athletes will be featured in the new games, but the company is expected to make additional announcements in the near future, Sports Illustrated's Tom Dierberger reports.