Tag Archives: Sports Licensing

Gallery Books to publish the rise, fall, and rise again memoirs of WWE Champion Drew McIntyre

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The Simon & Schuster imprint, Gallery Books has struck a deal with WWE to publish the memoirs of the Drew McIntyre, a WWE Champion, under the title of A Chosen Destiny: My Story.

The new title will highlight McIntyre’s life journey from a small village in Scotland to the global spotlight of WWE, documenting how from a young age, he dreamed of becoming a WWE Champion.

Slated for release on May 4th, this year, A Chosen Destiny will be published simultaneously as an audiobook from Simon & Schuster Audio and will be read by the author.

The memoir will recount his younger years proving himself to the small crowds on the UK’s Butlin circuit, before making the move to the WWE at the age of 22. He was touted by WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon as The CHosen One to lead the WWE into the future.

However, a series of ill-advised choices and family tragedy saw McIntyre’s life and career spiral. Struggling under the pressure of expectations, he was eventually released from WWE. But, buoyed by the support of his wife and the memory of his beloved mother, McIntyre embarked on a mission to recharge, reinvent and revitalize himself to fulfill his destiny.

“Throughout my career, I have always had an honest and open relationship with my fans,” said WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. “I am honored that Gallery Books has given me the opportunity to tell my story in hopes of inspiring others around the world to follow their dreams.”

“Drew McIntyre has captivated WWE fans everywhere with his explosive popularity and persona in and out of the ring,” said Ed Schlesinger, senior editor, licensing manager for Gallery Books. “We’re incredibly thrilled to be partnering with him and WWE to present his unforgettable, no-holds-barred story of making it to the top as World Champion.”

IMG and World Rugby seek global sports apparel supplier for 2021 to 2024 period

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The consultation process to find a global sports apparel supplier for all World Rugby competitions during the 2021-2024 will launch this month, World Rugby and its global master licensee IMG have revealed.

The global sports apparel supplier will, for the first time, have access to rights and assets for all of World Rugby’s international competitions, including Rugby World Cup 2021 and 2023.

Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, the first to be hosted in Asia, broke attendance and broadcast audience records with 1.8 million fans in the stadiums and more than 857 million people tuning in from around the world to watch the action. Additionally, sales of the 2019 tournament’s licensed products and merchandise outperformed 2015’s by more than 40 per cent.

World Rugby commercial director, Tom Hill, said: “We are delighted to be kicking off this important process with IMG, our global master licensee. The selection of the right apparel supplier is key to projecting the sport, engaging with fans and growing revenues for reinvestment in the sport.

“Given the prestige of the properties this agreement will cover, the success of the apparel programme at RWC 2019 in Japan, and excitement around France 2023, this is an attractive and lucrative proposition for interested parties – one that will directly support the growth of rugby worldwide.”

Mickael Andreo, VP of licensing, IMG, added: “Rugby is enjoying unprecedented worldwide growth across male, female and youth participation after Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan broke a multitude of records in one of the most impactful and ground-breaking tournaments in the game’s history.

“We are looking forward to taking this opportunity to market as we believe it represents a singular opportunity for brands aiming to position themselves as the authority in the rugby space.”

Applicants should contact Maelle.Coulon@img.com with any questions.

Start-up sports lifestyle brand Round21 is on a mission to redefine the category

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A start-up sports lifestyle brand developed by the former professional athlete, Jasmine Maietta, is looking to redefine the category through a combination of arts and sports while championing inclusive multi-cultural artists and product design.

Called Round21, the brand aims to celebrate creative expression through sport and art by creating premium sports products that are designed in partnership with a portfolio of multicultural artists.

As part of the launch, round21 will release a new artfully inspired Origin ping pong paddle and a For the Love of Sport basketball backboard.

Led by the ex-vice president of global brand marketing at Peloton, and former professional basketball player, Maietta’s round21 is on a mission to redefine the sports lifestyle category.

 “Inside all of us, there’s originality and creativity. That’s the currency round21 values. We build products for and with people who live creatively in sport and in life,” she said. 

Maietta left her impressive career in marketing to start round21 after recognising the need for a sports lifestyle brand that champions individuality, inclusivity, and creativity. In her years on and off the court, Maietta noticed that many professional and amateur athletes’ self-expression was limited to their apparel and footwear.

What was core to an athlete’s identity – their game itself – remained a blank canvas. Whether it was on the court or during downtime playing ping pong in locker rooms, she believed the things we play with should say something about who we are.  

 “I founded round21 for people who are rich in ‘creative currency,’ and one way people express themselves is through sports,” said Maietta. “We believe that when people feel free to express themselves and come together through play, communities become stronger. And, we see the opportunity to empower deep, rich creative expression within sports.”   

In addition to scaling its product offering, Maietta is scaling her executive team as well. The company welcomed Joe Sargent, the former director of brand marketing of the Kansas City Chiefs, as the head of strategic marketing to spearhead strategic brand marketing initiatives, activation strategy, and planning. 

 “One of my goals has been to put my brand and lifestyle marketing and partnership experience into a start-up that is not only disrupting the industry but also laying the foundation for something new and lasting,” said Sargent. “This is an awesome opportunity to do just that. I’m excited to help round21 reach new heights and redefine recreation as we know it.” 

 Last summer, the NBA and teams like the Detroit Pistons partnered with round21 to provide customized ping pong paddles for players quarantined during Covid-19 in the NBA Bubble. And, during the brand’s initial Kickstarter in late fall 2020, it exceeded its funding goal by 187 per cent in just 76 hours.  

The brand kicked off the year with a highly anticipated collaboration with artist and sneaker customizer, Sierato. The Baltimore native partnered with round21 to bring his unique flair to a new canvas – a ping pong paddle and a basketball backboard.

Inspired by connective chemistry and the fluidity of creativity, the vibrant “REC Set” was designed to bring people together through sport with products that come alive and inspire. The round21xSierato REC set was released on January 21, exclusively on the NTWRK app.  

While many sports products are “blank” and “functional,” round21 gives identity to the player through expressive art that reflects who they are and what they value. All of round21’s products are highly crafted and uniquely designed by leading multicultural creatives and artists who believe artistry in sport is about meaning and storytelling, not simply decoration.

UFC taps Panini America as its official collectable trading card partner

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The mixed martial arts organisation, UFC has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Panini America to become the brand’s official and exclusive collectable trading card partner.

Under the new deal secured by IMG, Panini America – recognised as the world’s largest licensed sports and entertainment collectables company – will launch its official UFC collection this April with the roll-out of the UFC Prizm collectable series. Panini will also add UFC trading cards to other popular product lines such as Select, Contenders, and Immaculate throughout the year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Panini America as UFC’s new official collectible trading card partner,” said UFC senior vice president of global consumer products, Tracey Bleczinski.

“Many of our fans use collectible trading cards to stay connected to our brand and to their favorite UFC athletes, and Panini America is the industry leader, creating innovative and unique products for our fans to enjoy.”

Panini America CEO, Mark Warsop, added: “This truly is a dream match-up that brings together the unquestioned leaders of trading cards and combat sports for a partnership that will excite and captivate UFC fans and collectors across the globe for years.

“We’ve watched with great interest over the years as UFC has grown into a major force on the mainstream sports landscape with some of the most marketable athletes in the world.

“We’re passionate UFC fans here at Panini America, and we’re excited about what we can do with the UFC brand and the athletes on our trading cards. We’re looking forward to this relationship.”

As part of the partnership, Panini America will capitalize on UFC’s biggest moments in real-time with the company’s direct-to-consumer Panini Instant platform. Panini Instant makes trading cards of UFC’s biggest fights, moments and milestones available just hours after they happen. These special cards will be available for a limited time and are made to order.

British & Irish Lions score new partnership with golfing brand Titleist

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The British & Irish Lions has scored a new licensing partnership with the world-leading golf brand, Titleist.

The agreement is one of a number of new license deals secured by brand licensing specialist The Point.1888, who has partnered with the Lions to create a new range of products ahead of the Tour to South Africa in 2021 to face world champions, the Springboks.

Recognised as the game’s leading performance equipment brand, Titleist will offer a range of high-specification, Lions branded accessories including golf balls, golf bags and golf club head covers, as well as gloves and towels.

 Today’s announcement comes off the back of the enormous interest in next summer’s Tour, with record numbers of travel packages and tickets being sold to Lions and Springbok supporters, as well as a spate of commercial partnerships recently being announced including Vodafone, Castle Lager, Hackett, Canterbury and Famous Grouse.

“We are delighted to welcome Titleist to our growing family of licensees,” said Tom Halsey, British & Irish Lions Commercial Director. “Titleist products are top quality and, like the Lions, are known around the world for being a symbol of excellence.

“I am sure Lions supporters will be keen to take to the course with the number one ball in golf, featuring the famous Lions crest.”

 Titleist is the latest in a list of recent Lions’ license deals secured by The Point.1888, which include FOCO UK (face coverings, towels and garden gnomes), Vision Sports Publishing (The British & Irish Lions – The Official History), Danilo (Lions branded calendars and diaries for 2021), Zak (a range of British & Irish Lions homewares, gifting and mealtime and drinkware), Oddballs (men’s and women’s Lions underwear), Game on Glove (supporters’ merchandise and accessories), Brecrest (babywear, including bibs, sleep suits and baby grows), BDA (premium corporate products including pins and leather goods), and Zenith (collectible coins commemorating past Lions captains).

“We are absolutely delighted to bring two iconic brands in golf and rugby together to offer fans a unique collection of products to celebrate the Lions Tour,” said Hannah Stevens, head of retail at The Point 1888.

“As a retail-first brand extension company we are actively planning for a truly spectacular summer of rugby with our retail and new licensee partners.”

WWE partners with My Custom Sport Chair to launch wrestling heroes line-up

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WWE and chairs usually only collide when one is being smashed over the head of a muscle-clad monster, prancing about ringside in his leather underwear to the cheers of a blood-thirsty crowd. That was until the sport and entertainment franchise met My Custom Sports Chair, of course.

The result? A range of chairs you’re not going to want to smash up. That’s right, WWE and My Custom Sports Chair have partnered to create a series of custom, folding Adirondack Chairs featuring the imagery and logos of some of the greatest WWE Superstars to walk the ring. Triple H, Roman Reigns, John Cena, The Rock, and Undertaker all feature, alongside WWE Hall of Famers Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ric Flair, The Ultimate Warrior, and Macho Man Randy Savage.

This is the latest in sporting franchises to have signed with My Custom Sports Chair, who already enjoys partnerships with the likes of the NFL, MLB, NCAA, NHL, and Nascar. Its collection makes up the only officially licensed, fully customisable Adirondack sports chair on the market.

Weather tested for all year round use, each chair is made with HDPE recycled resin which prevents warping, fading and splintering, making them ideal for use in the back garden, on the patio, in the recreation room, or any other setting in which a chair could be of use.

 All products are manufactured and assembled in Stoney Creek, ON, Canada with over 60,000 units in market since 2015.

Ascot Racecourse renews its global licensing partnership with IMG

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Ascot Racecourse has renewed its exclusive global licensing representation and on-site retail agreement with IMG through to 2025. Since being appointed in 2016, IMG has curated a robust year-round licensing programme for the iconic racecourse.

Highlights of the brand collaborations and products inspired by the 309-year-old racecourse and its flagship racing festival, Royal Ascot have included collections with British brands such as Favourbrook, TM Lewin, Oliver Brown, Radley London, Christy’s Hats, Christy, Charbonnel & Walker, and more.

Products are now sold around the world in licensees’ standalone stores, as well as concessions and online.

Under the renewal, IMG will continue to manage the on-site retail operation on behalf of the racecourse, having expanded the retail experience at Royal Ascot from three stores in 2017 to eight in 2019, spanning all four enclosures.

Juliet Slot, chief commercial officer at Ascot Racecourse, said: “Fashion, accessories and food are key facets of everyone’s experience at Ascot. We have worked hard to create and grow a retail experience for our customers that matches their expectations, and we are delighted that so many wonderful brands are working with us, both on-site and through high-street retail partners.

“We are excited to continue our relationship with IMG and look forward to further expanding our offering in the future.”

 Tim Smith, senior licensing director at IMG, said: “In just a few years, together with Ascot Racecourse, we have developed a carefully curated portfolio of premium partners and products that reflect the brand’s rich British heritage, along with its unique sense of occasion.

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Ascot Racecourse and are looking forward to further expanding its licensed product portfolio, in addition to continuing to build the on-site retail experience.”

 

 

Panini UK: “We had large numbers of requests from UK Tour de France fans, so we listened”

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Panini UK will be working with Tour de France organisers this year with campaigns running across its social media platforms to engage the cycling community in its 2020 Tour de France stickers and cards collection. Its UK launch arrives in direct response to a ‘large number of requests’ from UK fans.

The new launch – scheduled for this August 6th – will mark the first time that Panini UK and Eire has overseen its own Tour de France collection. The new stickers and cards collection arrives on UK shores following a surge in the number of requests from UK Tour fans when the collection launched to the international market for last year’s event.

The 2020 Tour de France – while moved back to a start date of August 29th this year – is one of the few sporting events not to be cancelled this year owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Chris Clover, head of marketing, sport, at Panini UK, told Licensing.biz: “Panini UK and Eire are really excited to be launching our first Tour de France collection this year. We have received a large number of requests from UK Tour fans, asking us to bring the collection to our shores, and we have listened.

“As a global leader in sports collectables, Panini understands the huge passion and following that the Tour has this side of the channel, and we can’t wait to let collectors get their hands on the new album.”

Panini launched its first international partnership with the Tour de France last year. The 2020 event will be the first time Panini UK brings the collectables collection to the UK.

“Last year was the first that Panini launched an official Grand Tour collection and we are incredibly proud to have been entrusted with creating a collection for such a historical event, which means so much to cycling fans all over the World,” said Clover.

“We will be ensuring the collection has a promotional platform designed to get albums to all the fans that we know are keen to start collecting and we will be working closely with the Tour organisers across our social media to engage the cycling community.”

Lake Garda inspired lifestyle brand Garda Lakers signs first licensing partner in Spreadshirt

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Garda Lakers, the destination and lifestyle brand that takes inspiration from the Italian attitude towards life and the world-famous Lake Garda, has signed its first licensing partnership with the Spreadshirt platform.

Designed to epitomise the culture of the famous beauty spot, known for its close ties to the sporting worlds of windsurfing, sailing, and its aspirational lifestyle, the current range consists of tote bags, t-shirts, hoodies, pillows, and more.

The Garda Lakers lifestyle brand is currently registered for 16 classes, including clothing, food and beverage, sport articles, cosmetics and health care, vehicles, books and magazine, bars and restaurants, and more. The brand is a European trademark owned by the German-based Hartmut Leger.

Sailing under the tag line, Wind of Victories, the Garda Lakers brand has also secured a textile series dedicated to Peler and Ora, the two main winds that blow at Malcesine, the spot on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. The brand has been developed in homage to the natural elements that make the area world famous with the sports scene.

The Spreadshirt products are now available across 15 European countries.

UFC names Venum its new exclusive outfitting and apparel partner

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The global designer, marketer and distributor of combat sports apparel and accessories, Venum, has been named the exclusive global outfitting and apparel partner for the mixed martial arts organisation, MMA.

In a deal brokered by IMG’s licensing business – the exclusive representatives of UFC – the partnership will commence in 2021.

UFC athletes will debut the new Venum-designed UFC Fight Kits inside the Octagon in April 2021. To coincide with this debut, Venum-designed apparel will be made available for sale at retail outlets around the world and online.

UFC’s outfitting policy is administered through its Promotional Guidelines Compliance program. The organisation will adjust the pay scale tied to its Promotional Guidelines Compliance program, which will result in across the board increases for all athletes effective April 2021.

UFC’s existing outfitting and apparel partnership with Reebok, the global fitness brand, expires in March 2021. Reebok will continue to serve as the official footwear provider of UFC through the end of next calendar year.

“We’re pumped that Venum will be joining us as our new exclusive global outfitting and apparel partner,” said UFC President Dana White. “Venum is an Iconic combat sports brand that understands the unique needs of MMA athletes. Franck Dupuis and his team at Venum have the technical knowledge and experience that will produce world-class UFC Fight Kits and apparel. We’re looking forward to collaborating with them on this next evolution of UFC’s outfitting program.”

Dupuis, Venum CEO and founder, added: “Joining UFC as its official outfitting and apparel partner means a great deal to the Venum team.

“Venum is a brand that has grown alongside the sport of MMA as it has exploded in popularity around the world. We are both proud and grateful, as this agreement signifies the success of our journey over the past fifteen years. At Venum, we are ecstatic to write the next chapter in our history.”

Added White: “We appreciate the partnership with Reebok over the past six years. It was a ground-breaking deal that elevated both of our brands. We’re pleased that Reebok will continue with us as the official footwear provider of UFC through 2021.”

The Venum/UFC Fight Kits and apparel line will be high quality MMA gear and performance apparel specifically designed and developed for UFC’s world-class athletes competing inside the Octagon.