Toy Industry Hall of Fame Names 2027 Inductees

Jay Foreman, founder and CEO of Basic Fun!, and Radio Flyer’s Chief Wagon Officer Robert Pasin were selected by association members for their ongoing influence on manufacturing and brand legacy. Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of The Toy Association, noted that both men have balanced entrepreneurial drive with a deep commitment to the broader toy community.

The class also recognizes three pioneers whose work shaped the evolution of gaming and interactive play. Ralph H. Baer, widely known as the father of video games, is being honored for his vision of the television as an interactive medium. Joining him are Charles Crandall, who founded Crandall Toys, and Norman Sas, the inventor of the iconic Electric Football game. These selections were finalized by the Hall of Fame Subcommittee on Posthumous Selection to preserve the legacies of industry figures dating back to the 19th century.

Since its 1984 founding, the Hall of Fame has inducted 101 leaders, with permanent displays housed at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. This year's honorees will be officially celebrated during the Toy of the Year Awards, an event that highlights the industry's $45.6 billion annual domestic market impact.