NFLPI Ramps Up College Co-Brands

The line of co-branded merchandise is being expanded through a new e-commerce initiative with Fanatics and a new agency relationship with The Brandr Group.

“NFL players maintain a strong following at their alma maters, with appeal to alumni as well as current students," says Steve Scebelo, vice president, business development and licensing, NFLPI. "Expanding our co-branded collegiate business will give fans a fun new way to demonstrate pride for their favorite players.”

On Black Friday, Fanatics (a retailer of NFL player and collegiate licensed merchandise) launched a customized NFL player collegiate jersey program that lets fans buy a co-branded jersey.

The first assortment of co-branded jerseys features 12 schools and more than 75 current NFL players, available on Fanatics.com, FansEdge.com and OneTeamShop.com, as well

NFLPI has also appointed The Brandr Group, founded by sports licensing veteran Wesley Haynes, to exclusively represent NFL player group licensing rights across all categories for collegiate co-brand licensing and sponsorship opportunities.

“There is a genuine opportunity to create new revenue streams by leveraging the college football achievements of today’s NFL players with their fans’ loyalty to their favorite school and to those great memories," says Haynes. "TBG is uniquely qualified to lead such an effort in this growing market, and we are excited to work with NFL Players Inc. to reconnect avid college fans with their favorite NFL players.”

These initiatives expand on NFLPI's existing co-branded collegiate business, which already includes licensees Original Retro Brands, Forever Collectibles, McFarlane Toys and approximately 10 others.