Foreman will be honored alongside fellow industry trailblazers at The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year® Awards on February 19, 2027
BOCA RATON, FL | Basic Fun! is proud to celebrate our Founder and CEO, Jay Foreman, on his induction into the 2027 Toy Industry Hall of Fame. The Toy Association announced the honor on October 5, 2026, recognizing Jay as one of five industry icons joining this year’s class.
Jay was nominated and voted on by members of The Toy Association, a recognition reserved for leaders who have made significant contributions to the toy industry and a lasting impact on the lives of children through a lifelong commitment to toys and play. In announcing the inductees, Greg Ahearn, President & CEO of The Toy Association, praised Jay’s “entrepreneurial drive and instinct for connecting toys with culture,” and noted that he has also been a tremendous supporter of the broader toy community.
Jay joins an impressive group of 2027 honorees, including Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer at Radio Flyer, along with posthumous inductees Ralph H. Baer, the “father of video games” and inventor of Simon; Charles Crandall, inventor and founder of Crandall Toys & Waverly Toy Works; and Norman Sas, inventor of Electric Football and founder of Tudor Games.
Since its inception in 1984, the Toy Industry Hall of Fame has honored the leaders who have shaped how generations play, from manufacturing and retail to entertainment and licensing. This year’s class joins a roster of 101 inductees that includes Walt Disney, Ruth and Elliott Handler of Mattel, and Alan Hassenfeld of Hasbro. The Toy Industry Hall of Fame is displayed alongside the National Toy Hall of Fame in a special exhibit at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY.
Under Jay’s leadership, Basic Fun! has grown into a home for some of the most beloved brands in play, bringing classic favorites to new generations and creating new ways for families to have fun together. His passion for great toys, iconic brands, and the joy of play continues to guide everything we do.
Jay and his fellow inductees will be formally honored at The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards gala on Friday, February 19, 2027.
Please join us in congratulating Jay on this well-deserved recognition!
To learn more about the 2027 Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductees, visit toyassociation.org/HOF.
