CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have established a group licensing agreement for Fighting Illini student-athletes covering all the athletic program's varsity sports. This partnership creates new opportunities for Illinois student-athletes to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) using official university trademarks and logos.
"We are thrilled to work with The Brandr Group as we seek to continue to create avenues for student-athlete success in the NIL space," Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "Co-branded apparel is responsible for a significant portion of the overall sports apparel market. This is a breakthrough opportunity for our student-athletes to pair their Name, Image and Likeness with Illinois trademarks, allowing for the creation of valuable co-branded items that will enable our fans to represent their favorite players in new and exciting ways."
The partnership with The Brandr Group allows for the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with Illinois 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 will not limit individual NIL opportunities.
"NIL opens up new avenues for student-athletes across the collegiate sports landscape, and this group licensing agreement with the University of Illinois empowers those athletes to take advantage of this new environment," said Wesley Haynes, TBG CEO. "Now, Illini student-athletes can benefit from their NIL through co-branded opportunities across Illinois's merchandising and sponsor portfolio. We're excited to be working closely with Illinois athletics to bring this new program to life for their student-athletes, as well as their passionate fans who now have new ways to support their favorite Illini players."
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.
Illinois' INFLUENCE program is in place to prepare Illini student-athletes to positively influence their brands and platforms in the NIL world, while TBG's leadership and expertise in the group licensing space will open the door for co-branded NIL opportunities for those student-athletes who choose to participate. Fans can expect to be able to purchase official Illinois merchandise, including team jerseys, with the name and number of their favorite Illini 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 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.
