This is a golden age for pro sports in North America. You can see it in not only the record TV ratings and attendance figures, but also at the cash registers. Retail sales of licensed sports goods topped $14.1 billion in 2014. Sports properties now account for 14.1% of all licensed goods sold in the U.S. and Canada, the third highest market share behind only corporate … [Read more...] about Top Sports Stars of 2015
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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
U.K. Teams Spearhead Euro Soccer’s Licensing Surge into U.S.
“It’s only a matter of time before soccer becomes as big in the U.S. as it is abroad.” It’s an admonishment I’ve heard all my life. But I haven’t given it much credence—until recently. I doubt soccer will ever overtake football, baseball or hoops in popularity. But I do think the gap may be starting to close. Exhibit A is the incredible growth in soccer-branded merchandise … [Read more...] about U.K. Teams Spearhead Euro Soccer’s Licensing Surge into U.S.
Entertainment, Sports Licensed Goods Lead Black Friday Deals
Hot holiday properties Frozen and Star Wars, and collegiate and NFL licensed merchandise, will be decking the halls of many retailers on one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Some of the nation's largest retailers over the past week moved to control the flow of information about their Black Friday promotions by "leaking" their own Thanksgiving weekend ad circulars … [Read more...] about Entertainment, Sports Licensed Goods Lead Black Friday Deals
3 Licensing Lawsuits to Watch
NFL Players Sue FanDuel Already on the defensive for allegedly running a gambling operation without a license in states like Nevada and New York, daily fantasy football operators have a new legal problem. A group of NFL players led by Washington receiver Pierre Garcon filed a class action against FanDuel over its unlicensed use of the players' names and images for games and … [Read more...] about 3 Licensing Lawsuits to Watch
How the NFLPA Is Changing the Pro Sports Licensing Game Plan
Dallas Cowboys fan Joseph Hernandez was standing in his driveway waiting for his Uber car to arrive. He knew the driver was bringing his advanced copy of the brand new EA Sports' Madden NFL 16 that he had ordered through Uber’s special one-day promotion. But he didn’t know about the passenger. So when the GMC Yukon pulled up and former Cowboys’ linebacker Bradie James stepped … [Read more...] about How the NFLPA Is Changing the Pro Sports Licensing Game Plan
‘Homegating’ Drives Sales of NFL-Licensed Products
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Americans still love watching football with friends but consumption patterns are changing. The TV is slowly but surely eclipsing the stadium as the viewing venue of choice. And as it does, tailgating in the parking lot is giving way to "homegating" in the living room. Seven of 10 fans would rather get together with friends at home to watch the game than … [Read more...] about ‘Homegating’ Drives Sales of NFL-Licensed Products
Which Tennis Star Is More Marketable?
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Two female tennis players have been rivals for nearly a decade. Although both are popular, one player makes twice as much in annual endorsements. Player A is a 33-year-old American who has: Won 67 career singles titles Won 21 career Grand Slam singles titles, second most for any woman all-time Won 13 career Grand Slam doubles titles Beaten Player B in … [Read more...] about Which Tennis Star Is More Marketable?
Tennis Star Andy Murray Dons Adidas after Signing with Under Armour
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Andy Murray easily won his first round U.S. Open match the other night. But if the result was predictable, the footwear was anything but. Murray wore Adidas—this after signing a shoe deal with Under Armour in December. Shades of Raymond Weil brand ambassador Charlize Theron in a Christian Dior watch? Or Jessica Simpson's dissing her own "JS" brand … [Read more...] about Tennis Star Andy Murray Dons Adidas after Signing with Under Armour
Westbrook Fragrance Courts Men and Women
By Marcy Magiera Add Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook to the list of celebrities hoping to revive the licensed fragrance business. Byredo Westbrook Eau de Parfum, from Swedish fragrance house Byredo Parfums, is a unisex scent staking out the high end of the market. An 8-ounce bottle, available exclusively at Barneys New York, is $350. Westbrook, who is known … [Read more...] about Westbrook Fragrance Courts Men and Women