The Licensing Letter

Sporting Goods

Roundup: Sports & Sportswear News

Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Athletic specialty retailer Hibbett Sports will acquire City Gear, a city specialty retailer of premium athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories with 135 stores in 15 states, by early December. The transaction includes $88 million in cash to be paid at closing and the potential for up to $25 million in additional … [Read more...] about Roundup: Sports & Sportswear News

Legal Watch: Sporting Goods & Apparel; Toys & Games

Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. CrossFit and Reebok settle their litigation-related licensing disputes and "look forward to continuing their work together as partners mutually dedicated to improving individual health and fitness globally." In 2010, the companies entered into a 10-yr. licensing and sponsorship agreement where Reebok would act as the title … [Read more...] about Legal Watch: Sporting Goods & Apparel; Toys & Games

Corporate TM/Brands Up 2.7% in 2016; Food/Bev & Tech Lead

By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Retail sales of corporate trademark/brand-based licensing were up 2.7% worldwide in 2016, according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. The U.S./Canada made up almost 80% of retail sales worldwide in 2016, and, in fact, grew at a faster rate than the rest of the world. The U.S./Canada counted $28 … [Read more...] about Corporate TM/Brands Up 2.7% in 2016; Food/Bev & Tech Lead

Deals in Short

As always, see the complete list of deals from this last week here. In Japan, a Betty Boop-branded diner opens in Japan through a deal brokered with Food Business Consultant Inc. (FBC) by licensor King Features’ Japanese agent, Copyrights Asia. The location plans to feature merch and special holiday events in the '50s-esque eatery. WildBrain is appointed as the exclusive … [Read more...] about Deals in Short

Pumping Up Brands

By Karina Masolova Despite our love for athleisure and all things healthy, a recent study by Nautilus shows that Americans and Europeans fail when it comes to general health and fitness knowledge (scoring an average of 42% and 39%, respectively). But it can't be denied that fitness is a big business, even if it is more aspirational than not. The 2016 update to Inc.'s 5000 list … [Read more...] about Pumping Up Brands

Topps Hits a Hot Market Home Run

By Glenn Demby A Topps official described it as “the perfect storm.” 285-pound Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon is a beloved player with a cult following who also happens to play in New York. And he picked the perfect time to strike his blow—a Saturday evening game on national TV airing just a few minutes after the Kentucky Derby. But while luck played a part, Topps’s spectacular … [Read more...] about Topps Hits a Hot Market Home Run

TLL Survey: Corporate Licensing Up 3% in 2015 Fueled by Food/Beverage & Automotive

By Karina Masolova At $27.6 billion, corporate trademarks and brands accounted for 27% of all retail licensed sales in the U.S. and Canada in 2015, the most of any segment (followed by fashion at 20% and sports at 14%), according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. But while it may be big, the corporate segment was also devoid of drama growing at a slow … [Read more...] about TLL Survey: Corporate Licensing Up 3% in 2015 Fueled by Food/Beverage & Automotive

Top 5 Sports Licensing Stories of 2015

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. 1. Nike Takes NBA from Adidas In March, Adidas announced that it would not renew its 11-year partnership with the NBA. Nike swooshed in and by June secured an 8-year, reported $1 billion deal to be the Association's on-court uniform supplier starting in 2017. 2. Adidas Takes NHL from Reebok Six months after walking away from the NBA account, Adidas won … [Read more...] about Top 5 Sports Licensing Stories of 2015