DePaul Athletics and The Brandr Group Launch Group Licensing Program for Student-Athletes
1/11/2022 11:00:00 AM | ATHLETICS, NIL
Partnership creates new opportunities for DePaul’s student-athletes to profit off their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) using the school’s official trademarks and logos
CHICAGO – DePaul Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have established a group licensing program for the university's student-athletes covering the Blue Demons' 15 varsity sports. This partnership creates new opportunities for DePaul's student-athletes to profit off their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) using the school's official trademarks and logos.
"DePaul University has differentiated itself in its steadfast commitment to providing our student-athletes with industry-leading opportunities in the Name, Image, and Likeness era," said DeWayne Peevy, Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Through The Brandr Group, our student-athletes will be able to engage in rewarding, co-branded partnerships, while also allowing our fans more avenues to purchase apparel featuring their favorite Blue Demon student-athletes."
The partnership with TBG allows for the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with the Blue Demons' official logos and marks. Student-athletes will have the option to voluntarily join a group licensing program. TBG will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes, and the program does not limit individual NIL rights. Potential licensees interested in learning more about the program should contact Kathleen Melvin at TBG.
"The college athletics landscape has changed, and we're excited to partner with DePaul to help their student-athletes navigate this new environment and maximize their earning potential," said Rick Perko, Vice President of Program Development at TBG. "Through group licensing, their student-athletes will be able to benefit from their NIL through co-branded opportunities across the Blue Demons' merchandising and sponsorship portfolio. This also opens new avenues for DePaul's passionate fan base to be able to support their favorite players, and we're looking forward to bringing this program to life."
Products that combine team logos and player names and numbers have accounted for a large portion of licensed sports merchandise sales at the professional level for decades, and this program opens the door for the same opportunities for student-athletes at the collegiate level.
TBG, a brand management, marketing, and licensing agency, will manage and administer the program as well as develop licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes. With decades of collective management experience for some of the world's largest brands, TBG also manages the group rights program for the NFL, NBA, and MLB players' associations in the college space.
In the future, fans will be able to purchase official DePaul merchandise, including team jerseys, with the name and number of their favorite Blue Demon players who have joined the respective group licensing program once TBG enters into agreements with applicable school trademark licensees.
"We know our fans want enhanced access to Blue Demon merchandise," said Taylor Stapleton, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation and Strategic Initiatives. "Through The Brandr Group we found a unique opportunity that continues to pave the way for co-branded merchandise, team jerseys, and more, while also ensuring our student-athletes are able to take advantage of modernized NIL legislation."
About The Brandr Group
The Brandr Group (TBG) is a brand management, marketing and licensing agency powered by a team with decades of collective management experience for some of the world's largest brands. TBG has emerged as the leading agency in group licensing programs, leading efforts for nearly 30 college athletic programs and their student athletes in the Name, Image and Likeness category including the biggest brands in college athletics. TBG partners with prominent brands, colleges, sponsors, corporate trademarks, athletes, and events to cultivate, diversify and monetize intellectual property through professional brand management and licensing endeavors. For more information, please visit tbgusa.com.
"DePaul University has differentiated itself in its steadfast commitment to providing our student-athletes with industry-leading opportunities in the Name, Image, and Likeness era," said DeWayne Peevy, Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Through The Brandr Group, our student-athletes will be able to engage in rewarding, co-branded partnerships, while also allowing our fans more avenues to purchase apparel featuring their favorite Blue Demon student-athletes."
The partnership with TBG allows for the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with the Blue Demons' official logos and marks. Student-athletes will have the option to voluntarily join a group licensing program. TBG will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes, and the program does not limit individual NIL rights. Potential licensees interested in learning more about the program should contact Kathleen Melvin at TBG.
"The college athletics landscape has changed, and we're excited to partner with DePaul to help their student-athletes navigate this new environment and maximize their earning potential," said Rick Perko, Vice President of Program Development at TBG. "Through group licensing, their student-athletes will be able to benefit from their NIL through co-branded opportunities across the Blue Demons' merchandising and sponsorship portfolio. This also opens new avenues for DePaul's passionate fan base to be able to support their favorite players, and we're looking forward to bringing this program to life."
Products that combine team logos and player names and numbers have accounted for a large portion of licensed sports merchandise sales at the professional level for decades, and this program opens the door for the same opportunities for student-athletes at the collegiate level.
TBG, a brand management, marketing, and licensing agency, will manage and administer the program as well as develop licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes. With decades of collective management experience for some of the world's largest brands, TBG also manages the group rights program for the NFL, NBA, and MLB players' associations in the college space.
In the future, fans will be able to purchase official DePaul merchandise, including team jerseys, with the name and number of their favorite Blue Demon players who have joined the respective group licensing program once TBG enters into agreements with applicable school trademark licensees.
"We know our fans want enhanced access to Blue Demon merchandise," said Taylor Stapleton, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation and Strategic Initiatives. "Through The Brandr Group we found a unique opportunity that continues to pave the way for co-branded merchandise, team jerseys, and more, while also ensuring our student-athletes are able to take advantage of modernized NIL legislation."
About The Brandr Group
The Brandr Group (TBG) is a brand management, marketing and licensing agency powered by a team with decades of collective management experience for some of the world's largest brands. TBG has emerged as the leading agency in group licensing programs, leading efforts for nearly 30 college athletic programs and their student athletes in the Name, Image and Likeness category including the biggest brands in college athletics. TBG partners with prominent brands, colleges, sponsors, corporate trademarks, athletes, and events to cultivate, diversify and monetize intellectual property through professional brand management and licensing endeavors. For more information, please visit tbgusa.com.
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