University of Houston Athletics
Photo by: Courtesy University of Houston
Houston, The Brandr Group Launch Group Licensing for Student-Athletes
7/19/2022 11:00:00 AM | General
Partnership focuses on maximizing personal brands, providing NIL support
HOUSTON – University of Houston Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have established a group licensing agreement for the university's student-athletes covering all the Cougars' 17 sports. This partnership creates new opportunities for Houston student-athletes to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) using the school's official trademarks and logos.
"This partnership with The Brandr Group and our ability to support our student-athletes as they continue to grow their own brand is one of the cool aspects of the NIL program," said Chris Pezman, Houston Vice President for Athletics. "We're very appreciative of Brandr's engagement with us and seeking us out for this opportunity. I'm anxious and excited to see what our student-athletes will be able to do with this."
TBG will support the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, facilitating opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes, while not limiting individual NIL rights. All student-athlete participation is voluntary. Potential licensees interested in learning more should contact Kathleen Melvin at TBG.
"We are excited to announce the next phase of our comprehensive LIFTOFF NIL program with the addition of group licensing for our student-athletes," said Lauren DuBois, Houston Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academics, Compliance & Financial Aid. "This partnership will allow our student-athletes to maximize their personal brands and continue to bolster our goal of offering the best support possible in this new era of Name, Image, and Likeness."
TBG, a brand management, marketing and licensing agency, will manage and administer the program as well as create 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 group rights programs 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 substantial portion of licensed sports merchandise sales at the professional level for decades, and this program provides collegiate student-athletes with the same opportunities.
"We are proud to be partnering with the University of Houston on a program that is sure to provide exciting opportunities for their student-athletes," said Paul Pogge, Executive Vice President for Strategy and University Relations at TBG. "Through this group licensing agreement, they'll be able to fully realize all the benefits associated with Name, Image and Likeness available to them through Houston's vast sponsorship and merchandising portfolio. The Cougars have long been one of the most respected programs in all of college sports, and we're looking forward to joining Houston student-athletes and fans on this new journey."
Fans can expect to be able to purchase official University of Houston merchandise, including team jerseys with the name and number of Cougars' 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 over 50 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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Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
"This partnership with The Brandr Group and our ability to support our student-athletes as they continue to grow their own brand is one of the cool aspects of the NIL program," said Chris Pezman, Houston Vice President for Athletics. "We're very appreciative of Brandr's engagement with us and seeking us out for this opportunity. I'm anxious and excited to see what our student-athletes will be able to do with this."
TBG will support the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, facilitating opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes, while not limiting individual NIL rights. All student-athlete participation is voluntary. Potential licensees interested in learning more should contact Kathleen Melvin at TBG.
"We are excited to announce the next phase of our comprehensive LIFTOFF NIL program with the addition of group licensing for our student-athletes," said Lauren DuBois, Houston Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academics, Compliance & Financial Aid. "This partnership will allow our student-athletes to maximize their personal brands and continue to bolster our goal of offering the best support possible in this new era of Name, Image, and Likeness."
TBG, a brand management, marketing and licensing agency, will manage and administer the program as well as create 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 group rights programs 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 substantial portion of licensed sports merchandise sales at the professional level for decades, and this program provides collegiate student-athletes with the same opportunities.
"We are proud to be partnering with the University of Houston on a program that is sure to provide exciting opportunities for their student-athletes," said Paul Pogge, Executive Vice President for Strategy and University Relations at TBG. "Through this group licensing agreement, they'll be able to fully realize all the benefits associated with Name, Image and Likeness available to them through Houston's vast sponsorship and merchandising portfolio. The Cougars have long been one of the most respected programs in all of college sports, and we're looking forward to joining Houston student-athletes and fans on this new journey."
Fans can expect to be able to purchase official University of Houston merchandise, including team jerseys with the name and number of Cougars' 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 over 50 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.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
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