North Texas Athletics and The Brandr Group Launch Group Licensing for Student-Athletes

[Coach Andy Mac]

DENTON, Texas – North Texas Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have established a group licensing agreement for the university’s student-athletes covering all the Mean Green’s 16 sports. Joining an exclusive list of Division I TBG partners, the University of North Texas now affords its student-athletes the opportunity to combine their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) with official trademarks and logos as part of the group licensing program.  

“We are happy to announce today a partnership with The Brandr Group and open the door to group licensing opportunities for our student-athletes as the next phase of Paramount, our name, image and likeness program,” UNT Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “This relationship reinforces our commitment to Building Champions and Preparing Leaders here at UNT and will allow our student-athletes to participate in exciting opportunities in the ever-changing and growing landscape of NIL. 

“We believe this program will provide multiple advantages to our student-athletes and create new avenues for our tremendous fans to support the Mean Green. We are incredibly excited about this next phase, and we will continue to explore additional ways to grow opportunities here at UNT.”

The partnership with TBG allows for the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with University of North Texas logos and marks. Student-athletes will have the option to voluntarily join a group licensing program. TBG will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes, and the program does not limit individual NIL rights. 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.

The company will develop and facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of current student-athletes. Some examples of group licensing include athlete’s inclusion in trading card programs, video games, and co-branded jerseys, which would include the student-athlete’s name and number, as well as University of North Texas trademarks and logos.

“NIL opens up new avenues for student-athletes across college sports, and this group licensing agreement with the University of North Texas will enable its athletes to take advantage of this new environment,” said Rick Perko, Vice President of Program Development at TBG. “Through co-branded opportunities across the University of North Texas’ merchandising and sponsor portfolio, Mean Green student-athletes can benefit from their NIL. We’re excited to be working together to bring this new program to life for University of North Texas student-athletes, as well as their passionate fans who now have new ways to support their favorite players.”

While no specific timeline is set, fans can expect to be able to purchase official University of North Texas merchandise as soon as TBG enters into agreements with applicable University of North Texas 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 40 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.

[aztecskin]

so this is how they'll license the new NCAA football 2023 game eh 

[meangreenfaninno]

Jim Niesh bio link

Appears to have ties to Learfield IMG who I believe UNT has done business with before.

[SteaminWillieBeamin]

Brandr is the Grindr of licensing. 

[Tom McKrackin]

Will this be tax deductible?