Saint Joseph’s Athletics and The Brandr Group Launch Group Licensing for Student-Athletes
PHILADELPHIA - Jan. 8, 2024 – Saint Joseph’s University Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have established a group licensing agreement for Hawks student-athletes competing across the school’s sports programs. This partnership will enable these student-athletes to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) through a number of opportunities that will be co-branded with Saint Joseph's official trademarks and logos.
“The importance of NIL opportunities for our student-athletes is critical to their own development and to our twin departmental goals of competitive excellence and transformative student-athlete experiences,” said Jill Bodensteiner, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Saint Joseph's. “Partnering with The Brandr Group - the premier partner for group licensing opportunities - will help significantly in promoting both our student-athletes and Saint Joseph's University. We can't wait to get started.”
TBG will support the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, facilitating opportunities on behalf of Saint Joseph’s student-athletes, while not limiting individual NIL rights. Student-athletes will have the option to voluntarily join a group licensing program. 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, including the development of 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 group rights programs for the NFL, NBA and MLB players associations in the college space.
For decades, products combining team logos with player names and numbers have accounted for a large portion of licensed sports merchandise sales at the professional level, and this program provides collegiate student-athletes with the same opportunities.
“NIL opens up new avenues for collegiate student-athletes, and this group licensing agreement will empower Saint Joseph’s student-athletes to capitalize on this environment,” said Rick Perko, Vice President of Program Development at TBG. “Through co-branded opportunities across the Saint Joseph’s merchandising and sponsor portfolio, Hawks student-athletes have the option to financially benefit from their NIL. We are excited to be working with the Saint Joseph’s Athletics team to bring this program to life for its student-athletes, as well as their passionate fans who will now have new ways to support their favorite players.”
Fans can expect to be able to purchase official Saint Joseph’s merchandise, including team jerseys with the name and number of Hawks players who have joined the respective group licensing program, once TBG enters into agreements with applicable school 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 90 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.
About Saint Joseph's University
Founded in 1851 as Philadelphia's Jesuit university, Saint Joseph's University prepares students for a rapidly changing world by focusing on academic excellence and courageous exploration. With an intellectual tradition distinguished by a foundational liberal arts core and diversified by strong professional programs in education, business, health and science, Saint Joseph's students are empowered, challenged and supported by high-quality faculty members to follow their own path. As a comprehensive university, undergraduate and graduate students study in the University's four schools and colleges — the College of Arts and Sciences, the Erivan K. Haub School of Business, the School of Education and Human Development and the School of Health Professions. With academic offerings in the most sought-after majors, including leading programs in the first-in-the-nation Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, nearly 100% of students are employed, pursuing advanced degrees or volunteering in prestigious service programs upon graduation. The University's network of nearly 100,000 proud alumni keep alive the rallying cry — The Hawk Will Never Die.
