The Licensing Letter

Name, Image and Likeness

Panini and Brandr Partner on Collegiate NIL Licensing

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Panini America has signed a multi-year partnership with the leading 'NIL' licensing agency The Brandr Group. The move comes as Panini works to strengthen and expand its presence and its product offerings in the Name, Image and Likeness sector. That sector got a major boost in July, 2021, when the NCAA changed its rules to allow … [Read more...] about Panini and Brandr Partner on Collegiate NIL Licensing

Panini Aims to Give All College Athletes Their Own Trading Card

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Panini America has the ambitious goal of creating a trading card for every college athlete who wants one. Panini is a top player in the sports and entertainment collectibles category, but even for them this is a tall order. The idea is to create a new platform to engage and benefit NCAA athletes with a dedicated platform for Name … [Read more...] about Panini Aims to Give All College Athletes Their Own Trading Card

Topps Signs Trading Card Deal With Negro League Star Josh Gibson

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Just weeks after the MLB officially accepted Negro League stats, Topps and Fanatic Collectibles have signed a multi-year deal with the estate of star player Josh Gibson. As well, Topps will include Gibson in the Topps MLB at Rickwood Field series this month, ensuring the legacy of Josh Gibson will continue to be told in the form of … [Read more...] about Topps Signs Trading Card Deal With Negro League Star Josh Gibson

Feature: Time for Licensing To Hit a Home Run With Baseball Legend Josh Gibson

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Major League Baseball is now including the player stats from the Negro Leagues, meaning players like the legendary Josh Gibson will finally be recognized for their incredible skill and accomplishments. And now the MLB has recognized the players of the Negro Leagues, it's certainly time for the licensing industry to do the same, both … [Read more...] about Feature: Time for Licensing To Hit a Home Run With Baseball Legend Josh Gibson

Beekeeper Gets His Own Topps Trading Card After Saving MLB Game

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief It's been an un-bee-lievable week for Matt Hilton, who just got his own trading card deal with Topps after saving the day at an MLB game in Arizona's Chase Field. The intrepid beekeeper was called in after a swarm of bees settled in behind home plate, delaying the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the LA Dodgers. Hilton arrived … [Read more...] about Beekeeper Gets His Own Topps Trading Card After Saving MLB Game

Caitlin Clark to Sign Landmark Deal With Nike

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief NCAA basketball star Caitlin Clark is on the verge of scoring another slam dunk for women's sports. The University of Iowa star and number one pick in the WNBA draft is reportedly about to sign a record-setting, $28 million contract with Nike. According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal and The Athletic, the deal will span eight … [Read more...] about Caitlin Clark to Sign Landmark Deal With Nike

Panini Signs Partnership With Women’s B’Ball Star Angel Reese

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Panini America continues to make sports history, signing an exclusive partnership with women’s basketball star and WNBA prospect Angel Reese for autographed trading cards and memorabilia. The multi-year agreement will include a wide variety of products featuring Reese, who recently declared for this year’s WNBA draft. Panini launched … [Read more...] about Panini Signs Partnership With Women’s B’Ball Star Angel Reese

Special Report: The Growing Opportunity for Licensing in Women’s Sports

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Just a few short years ago, most experts in the sports industry would say with confidence that men’s sports would always be more popular than women’s sports, and that the primary audience for sports is made up of men. But since 2019 in particular, it’s the women who are putting the big points on the board for growth, in terms of overall … [Read more...] about Special Report: The Growing Opportunity for Licensing in Women’s Sports

Sprouts Farmers Market Supporting 8 NIL Deals With Female Athletes

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Sprouts Farmers Market is marking Women's History Month by supporting eight new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals with female athletes from schools in Sprouts communities across the country. Sprouts is a long-term and dedicated supporter of women's sports. To date, Sprouts has executed more than 150 female athlete deals through NIL … [Read more...] about Sprouts Farmers Market Supporting 8 NIL Deals With Female Athletes

Panini Signs Caitlin Clark as Its First Exclusive Female Athlete Partner

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Panini America has announced an historic partnership for trading cards and autographed memorabilia with University of Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark. The agreement makes Clark the first female athlete to be signed to an exclusive partnership with Panini, a giant in the sports and entertainment collectibles sector. The reason is … [Read more...] about Panini Signs Caitlin Clark as Its First Exclusive Female Athlete Partner