NASCAR Teams Form Licensing Trust

NASCAR has restructured its licensing business through a newly formed NASCAR Teams Licensing Trust, streamlining its consumer merchandise programs for more than 30 national series drivers and partners.The new operation is an independent group managed by a

April 6, 2018

The new operation is an independent group managed by a board of directors made up of representatives of an initial 11 participating teams and NASCAR. The initial teams include Dale Earnhardt Inc.; Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates; Hendrick Motorsports; Joe Gibbs Racing; JR Motorsports; Michael Waltrip Racing; Penske Racing; Richard Childress Racing; Richard Petty Motorsports; Roush Fenway Racing; and Stewart-Haas Racing.

Any NASCAR national series team is able to participate in the trust and seek out merchandise partners in apparel, collectible die-cast, toys and trackside retail. More product categories will be added soon. NASCAR and the teams will directly manage their respective rights in categories outside the trust.

"The complexity and expertise required within the intellectual

property management and operations has increased exponentially over the years as NASCAR has grown and expanded globally," says Brian France, chairman and chief executive officer of NASCAR. "By working together with our teams and their licensing professionals, the Licensing Trust creates a new opportunity for licensees, retailers and sponsors to immediately benefit, and keep the emphasis on what makes this sport run—our loyal and passionate fans."

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