Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1473451
AUGUST 2022 5 Imagine being a Virginia fan during the Ralph Sampson or Dawn Staley eras and being able to purchase your very own No. 50 or No. 24 jerseys with those Cavalier superstars' names on the back. Without a doubt, University Hall would have been filled with those players' attire. But at that time, licensing regu- lations and NCAA bylaws prohib- ited such items from being sold. The times have changed. Thanks to loosening regulations from the NCAA regarding student- athletes' abilities to benefit finan- cially from their name, image and likeness (NIL), that's now a reality. In May, the Virginia athletics department announced a group licensing agreement with The Brandr Group covering all 27 UVA teams. The partnership creates opportunities for the student-athletes to profit off their NIL using the school's official trademarks and logos. "We are excited to partner with The Brandr Group to expand the opportunities for student-athletes to maximize their NIL," Vir- ginia director of athletics Carla Williams said. "The program will provide our fans with new ways to support our student-athletes through the purchase of officially licensed co-branded merchandise." The collaboration with The Brandr Group allows for the collective use of stu- dent-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with University of Virginia logos and marks. Student-athletes will have the option to voluntarily join a group licensing program. TBG, a brand management, marketing and licensing agency, will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes. Participation in the program will not limit student-athletes' NIL rights in their individual licensing and market- ing activities. TBG is no newcomer to the collec- tive management experience. It also manages group rights programs for the NFL, NBA and MLB players as- sociations in the college space. "We are excited about the op- portunities for the University of Vir- ginia in the NIL space given their academic and athletic reputa- tion," TBG CEO Wesley Haynes said. "We are absolutely thrilled to add them to our family of schools, working closely with their team to craft co-branded opportunities through our group licensing program. "This will give Cavalier student-athletes the chance to capitalize on their NIL through a vast merchandising portfolio, while also uncover- ing new player engagement opportunities for their devoted fans." Products that combine team logos and player names and num- bers have accounted for a large portion of licensed sports mer- chandise sales at the professional level for decades, and this program opens the door for similar oppor- tunities for student-athletes at the collegiate level. "I think it is huge when you get the opportunity to partner with someone like Brandr," Virginia redshirt fourth-year quarterback Bren- nan Armstrong said. "It is a big opportunity for the student-athletes here. It is only going to get bigger and better. "People are only going to find new ways to continue to help the student-athletes brand themselves on and off the field and for the student-athletes to find ways to profit off of them- selves if they want to." — Jim Daves behind the scenes Co-Branded Merchandise On The Horizon For UVA Student-Athletes cavalier sports In May, the Virginia athletics depart- ment announced a group licensing agreement with The Brandr Group cover - ing all 27 UVA teams that will enable student-athletes to maximize opportuni- ties based on their name, image and likeness. (Photo courtesy UVA)