The Licensing Letter

Martial Arts

Notorious Conor McGregor Featured in Launch of Stancé x UFC ‘Art Toys’

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The designer art toy company Stancé has signed a global partnership with the mixed martial arts organization UFC, creating limited edition designer toys. Stancé's first release will be a limited-edition collectible featuring The Notorious Conor McGregor. In a collaboration brokered by UFC's licensing agency, IMG, Stancé is working … [Read more...] about Notorious Conor McGregor Featured in Launch of Stancé x UFC ‘Art Toys’

Panini America Steps Into the Ring with Professional Fighters League

By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterPanini America and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) have announced a multi-year licensing partnership for sports trading cards.Professional Fighters League is a global mixed-martial arts league that includes distinct features, including a sports-season format and a proprietary technology system called PFL SmartCage.PFL SmartCage is used by … [Read more...] about Panini America Steps Into the Ring with Professional Fighters League

The New Sports Leader Everybody in Licensing Should Know

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The world of sports and sports licensing is changing, and part of that change is generational. Older fans are figuratively handing over the baton to a new generation with very different ideas of what sports they want to watch, and how they want to watch it.  At the very heart of that change is a company called Overtime which has … [Read more...] about The New Sports Leader Everybody in Licensing Should Know

Disney, Fox and Warner Plan Launch of Combined Sports Streaming Service

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Disney, Warner Bros. and Fox are changing the game in a big way, with plans to launch a combined sports streaming service. Similar to the Hulu service that was jointly owned, this new and yet-to-be-named service would be a joint venture combining the sports divisions of all three partners. For Disney, the deal would see its … [Read more...] about Disney, Fox and Warner Plan Launch of Combined Sports Streaming Service

UFC Signs Multi-Year Trading Card Licensing With Fanatics and Topps

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Mixed martial arts (MMA) giant UFC will again partner with Topps for an exclusive line of collectible trading cards. Topps previously held the license for UFC from 2009 to 2020, and in the intervening years the company was acquired by Fanatics, which quickly became the dominant force in the sector. Now, Topps is stepping back into … [Read more...] about UFC Signs Multi-Year Trading Card Licensing With Fanatics and Topps

Who’s News: UFC Promotes Meghan Mernin to VP of Licensing

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter UFC is promoting Meghan Mernin to the position of VP of licensing for global consumer products.Since Mernin initially joined UFC in 2021, she has worked to drive new business for the MMA organization and establish a specialized licensing program for the company's niche market.Mernin has also been responsible for securing and directing UFC’s … [Read more...] about Who’s News: UFC Promotes Meghan Mernin to VP of Licensing

UFC Teams Up With Celio For Exclusive Fan Apparel Collection

By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterUFC has partnered with Celio for an exclusive fan apparel collection to mark UFC’s return to Paris, France.Celio is a French retail company that specializes in men's clothing. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Celio to offer UFC fans throughout France and the greater EMEA region this new and exclusive fan apparel collection to mark UFC’s return … [Read more...] about UFC Teams Up With Celio For Exclusive Fan Apparel Collection

Knockout Comics Adaptation of Creed Films Coming From BOOM! Studios

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief BOOM! Studios will release a four-issue limited comic book series based on the Creed film franchise from MGM. The comic adaptation is being produced in collaboration with the MGM studio, Creed star Michael B. Jordan's production company, Outlier Society, and Chartoff-Winkler. Jordan is also the director and producer of the recent … [Read more...] about Knockout Comics Adaptation of Creed Films Coming From BOOM! Studios

Mergers: UFC Tag Teams With WWE to Form $21 Billion Sports Company

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Big news in sports licensing this week as UFC announced it has agreed to merge with fellow pugilistic company WWE. The deal would see UFC parent Endeavor Group Holdings holding a 51% controlling interest in the new company, while existing WWE shareholders will own a 49% interest. It combines the world's leading mixed martial arts … [Read more...] about Mergers: UFC Tag Teams With WWE to Form $21 Billion Sports Company