The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Athletics and The Brandr Group launch group licensing for student-athletes
08.20.2021 | Texas Athletics, Longhorn Foundation, Name, Image, and Likeness
Longhorn student-athletes will have the opportunity to profit from their Name, Image and Likeness in conjunction with UT’s official trademarks and logos.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have launched a group licensing program for Longhorn student-athletes, creating the opportunity to pair their Name, Image and Likeness with UT's official trademarks and logos.
"As we continue to evaluate opportunities in the new era of name/image/likeness for all of our student-athletes, working alongside our legal counsel, I am thrilled to announce a new agreement with Brandr for group licensing on Texas-branded and officially licensed merchandise bearing the NIL of Longhorns student-athletes," UT Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said. "Now fans can purchase Texas Longhorns items like jerseys and t-shirts and support their favorite players, which we have never been able to do before, and the student-athletes are able to profit from those sales through their agreement with Brandr."
The program allows for the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with UT's intellectual property. This creates opportunities for Texas student-athletes to join a group licensing program of three-or-more individuals from the same team or one with six-or-more student-athletes across multiple sports. Participation in the group rights program is voluntary and does not restrict the student-athlete's individual NIL rights.
"The University of Texas and their amazing student-athletes have an incredible opportunity in the Name, Image and Likeness space given their storied history and reputation as a leading University in college athletics," said Wesley Haynes, TBG CEO. "We are excited to collaborate with The University of Texas Athletics to launch this program, and to find marketing partners and licensees of Texas Athletics who want create new cobranded programs for fans. "
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. Texas Athletics licensing will work adjacently to TBG to ensure student-athletes receive favorable opportunities and Fair Market Value. 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.
Group licensing arrangements have accounted for a large portion of sports merchandise sales at the professional level for decades. This program opens the door for the same opportunities for current student-athletes at the collegiate level. Texas fans can own merchandise and other products featuring their school's logo and the names and numbers of their favorite Longhorns.