For the first time ever, Ohio State athletes will be able to make money off of jersey sales.
Ohio State announced Tuesday that it has entered into a group licensing agreement with The Brandr Group. Athletes who voluntarily opt in to the program will be able to make money off of jerseys sold with their names and numbers on them.
Per a news release by Ohio State on Tuesday, the group licensing program could also be used for other merchandise in the future, including video games.
From Ohio State:
Student-athletes in all 36 of Ohio State’s varsity sports will soon have an opportunity to potentially realize additional and new opportunities to profit off of their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) from a group licensing program the Office of Trademark & Licensing Services, and the Department of Athletics, has entered into with The Brandr Group (TBG).
Specifically, Ohio State student-athletes who voluntarily opt-in to a group licensing agreement with TBG will be able to use their NIL alongside and in conjunction with Ohio State’s trademarks and logos that have been licensed to Ohio State trademark licensees if TBG enters into agreements with OSU trademark licensees to do so. This first Ohio State group licensing program will begin by offering jerseys and then grow to include merchandise such as video games, apparel, trading cards and bobble heads.
“This is a unique opportunity for our student-athletes,” Ohio State senior associate athletics director Carey Hoyt said in a statement. “We are passionate about educating and providing opportunities for student-athletes to take advantage of their Name, Image and Likeness, and co-branding them with Ohio State’s official trademarks and logos is going to be an exciting new way for them to monetize on their NIL.”
Per the release, “Fans can soon expect to be able to purchase official Ohio State merchandise, including team jerseys, with the name and number of their favorite Buckeyes as long as they have joined the respective group licensing program and as soon as TBG enters into agreements with applicable OSU trademark licensees.”
Along with the group licensing agreements, Ohio State athletes will also be able to individually make deals with Ohio State trademark licensees, “although some may be limited in their ability to engage with student-athletes due to exclusivity arrangements and other restrictions,” per the release. Ohio State will not be involved in arranging deals for its athletes, but will approve or disapprove the use of its trademarks on items.
In addition to managing the group licensing agreement for current Ohio State athletes, The Brandr Group also operates an Alumni Group Rights Program with some schools that allows former athletes to co-brand their name, image and likeness with the university's trademarks and logos. Per Tuesday's release, “Ohio State is expected to combine its alumni athlete licensing program, Legends of the Scarlet & Gray, to the TBG program in the near future.”
