NFL Players Inc. Goes Back to College with New Co-Branded Partnerships
Tom Brady Co-Branded Univ. of Michigan Jersey Ranks #1 on ?Top 10 List of NFL Player-Collegiate Jerseys Sold on Fanatics Sites Through Cyber Monday
WASHINGTON D.C., December 5, 2014 – NFL Players Inc. (NFLPI), the licensing and marketing arm of the NFL Players Association, announced today it is expanding its business of co-branded merchandise featuring active NFL players and their colleges. New efforts for NFL player collegiate merchandise include a new ecommerce initiative with Fanatics and a new agency relationship with The Brandr Group.
These collective initiatives expand upon NFLPI's existing business with a variety of licensees already producing co-branded NFL players collegiate products, including Original Retro Brands, Forever Collectibles, McFarlane Toys and approximately 10 others, and take a streamlined approach to building an expansive new collegiate player business.
“NFL players maintain a strong following at their alma maters, with appeal to alumni as well as current students. Expanding our co-branded collegiate business will give fans a fun new way to demonstrate pride for their favorite players,” said Steve Scebelo, NFLPI Vice President, Business Development and Licensing.
On Black Friday this year, Fanatics, the leading online retailer of NFL player and collegiate-licensed merchandise, launched a customized NFL player-collegiate jersey program, which for the first time ever offers fans the ability to buy a co-branded jersey with a player’s name and number on the back. The first assortment of co-branded jerseys at launch features 12 schools and more than 75 current NFL players. The jerseys are available via Fanatics.com, FansEdge.com, OneTeamShop.com, and university stores websites.
Top 10 NFL player-collegiate jerseys sold exclusively on Fanatics sites through Cyber Monday (December 1):
- Tom Brady – Michigan
- Peyton Manning – Tennessee
- J.J. Watt – Wisconsin
- Charles Woodson – Michigan
- Russell Wilson – Wisconsin
- Cam Newton – Auburn
- Eric Berry – Tennessee
- Tre Mason – Auburn
- Chris Borland – Wisconsin
- Torrey Smith - Maryland
Additionally, NFLPI announced that The Brandr Group (TBG), founded by sports licensing industry veteran Wesley Haynes, will serve as agency of record to exclusively represent NFL player group licensing rights across all categories for collegiate co-brand licensing and sponsorship opportunities.
“There is a genuine opportunity to create new revenue streams by leveraging the college football achievements of today’s NFL players with their fans’ loyalty to their favorite school and to those great memories. TBG is uniquely qualified to lead such an effort in this growing market and we are excited to work with NFL Players Inc. to reconnect avid college fans with their favorite NFL players,” said Wesley Haynes, TBG President.
About NFL Players Inc.
NFL Players Inc. is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. NFLPI has been a trusted resource since 1994, delivering access to the influence, power and personal stories of NFL players. NFLPI is a “one-stop shop” for businesses seeking licensing rights, access to players through hospitality and events, marketing strategy and player procurement. For more information, please visit www.nflpa.com/players.
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Contacts:
David Cooper for NFL Players Inc.
dcooper@coynepr.com
917-716-8566
Mike Donnelly, NFLPA
Mike.Donnelly@nflplayers.com
202-756-9160
Wesley Haynes, The Brandr Group
Wesley.haynes@thebrandrgroup.com
(904) 860-3249