IMG Licensing has been appointed by the Pro Football Retired Players Association to manage the marketing and licensing rights of its members.

"During the last 50 plus years, pro football players have created sports memories that millions of fans treasure, and this is a chance to develop a viable business model that benefits players long after they have left the field,” says Daniel Siegel, vice president, IMG Licensing, a division of IMG Worldwide. “IMG is excited to have been given the opportunity to bring this unique program to the marketplace."

The appointment comes after a federal court settlement between retired NFL players and the National Football League that established two entities controlled exclusively by a board of directors made up of retired NFL players: A licensing agency, that will run in conjunction with IMG Licensing to create, develop and manage new revenue streams through the commercialization of the group rights of retired players' name, likeness, autographs and images; and a Greater Good Fund that will support health and welfare programs for retired NFL players.

"The board is supremely confident that we will maximize all business opportunities available for retired players. We are creating an official clearinghouse for potential endorsers, sponsors, licensees and fans to connect with retired players on a national, regional and local level,” says Jim Brown, chairman, board of directors of the PFRPA and pro football Hall of Famer. “Companies who become partners with the licensing agency will be part of a historic enterprise and will be contributing to the wellbeing of all retired players."