UB and The Brandr Group Launch Group Licensing for Student-Athletes
6/10/2024 12:32:00 PM | General
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have established a group licensing agreement for the university's student-athletes covering all the Bulls' 16 varsity sports. This partnership will enable these student-athletes to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) through a number of opportunities that will be co-branded with Buffalo's official trademarks and logos.
"Partnering with the Brandr Group is another exciting step for UB Athletics as it will give our student-athletes opportunities to profit off their name, image and likeness through group licensing deals," Senior Associate Athletic Director for Championship Resources Aaron Stang said. "Since the inception of NIL, we've been committed to offering our student-athletes the best resources to capitalize on NIL opportunities while also providing our fans with a new way to support the Bulls. We're looking forward to seeing our student-athlete's jerseys in the stands this fall!"
TBG will support the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, facilitating opportunities on behalf of Buffalo's student-athletes, while not limiting individual NIL rights. Student-athletes will have the option to voluntarily join a group licensing program. Potential licensees interested in learning more should contact Jim Neish at TBG.
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.
"Buffalo's athletic success has set the standard in the Northeast, and we're excited to help write a new chapter into their storied tradition by facilitating new, lucrative opportunities for its student-athletes," said Rick Perko, TBG Vice President of Program Development. "Now, thanks to this group licensing agreement, they'll be able to benefit from their NIL through co-branded opportunities across the Buffalo merchandising portfolio. We're excited to enter a new season alongside Buffalo athletics and bring this program to life for their student-athletes and their passionate fans."
Fans can expect to be able to purchase official Buffalo merchandise, including team jerseys with the name and number of Bulls players who have joined the respective group licensing program, once TBG enters into agreements with applicable school trademark licensees.
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, with rights to more than 90 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.
About The University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo is the largest university in the state system of New York. This flagship institution has over 30,000 students, more than 280,000 alumni worldwide and is an AAU member. Ranked 36th among all public universities in the United States, UB professional schools such as Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Business and Engineering are ranked in the top 100. With an aggressive plan, the entire university, including the Department of Athletics has immeasurable potential.
