VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova University Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have established group licensing for Villanova student-athletes covering all of the school's 24 sports, opening up new opportunities for Wildcats student-athletes to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) using Villanova's official trademarks and logos.
"At Villanova, we are a championship-winning program with a championship-level brand, and we're excited about the potential our agreement with The Brandr Group offers to enhance and grow that brand for our student-athletes and our university community," said
Mark Jackson, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Villanova. "In this new landscape of college athletics, partnering with The Brandr Group empowers our student-athletes to be able to monetize their NIL, while our co-branded lineup of apparel and other fan-focused items will enable our fans to represent their favorite players."
The partnership with The Brandr Group allows for the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with the Villanova logos and marks. Current Wildcat student-athletes will have the opportunity to voluntarily join a group licensing program of three-or-more individuals from the same team or six-or-more student-athletes from any combination of teams. TBG will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes, and the program does not limit individual NIL rights.
"Thanks to years of excellence on the field and in the gym, Villanova University athletics has established itself as one of the most revered, respected programs in college sports," Wesley Haynes, TBG CEO, said. "By offering group licensing opportunities to the Wildcats Name, Image and Likeness portfolio, we're able to create new, lucrative opportunities for Villanova student-athletes. We're proud to collaborate with such a prestigious program like Villanova, opening doors to new avenues for their student-athletes."
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.
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. Fans can expect to be able to purchase official Villanova merchandise, including team jerseys, with the name and number of their favorite Wildcats who have joined the respective group licensing program once TBG enters into agreements with applicable Villanova trademark licensees.
About The Brandr Group
The Brandr Group (TBG) is a brand management, marketing and licensing agency with broad experience and an expertise in sports. 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. The TBG team has decades of collective management experience for some of the world's largest brands. For more information, please visit tbgusa.com.
