Wake Forest Teams with Winston-Salem Headquartered & Globally Renowned Hanesbrands Inc. as Primary Licensed Apparel Partner
12/16/2021 9:00:00 AM | General
Wake Forest Athletics is committed to partnering with Winston-Salem based companies that will expand and grow the Demon Deacons brand locally, nationally and globally.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- With the goal of increasing the reach locally, nationally and globally of the Demon Deacons brand while providing the highest quality of responsibly-sourced merchandise to Deacon Nation, Wake Forest has entered into a new, long-term partnership with Winston-Salem-based HanesBrands®, Inc. (HBI). to serve as the University's primary retail apparel licensee.
Wake Forest and HBI will focus their efforts on expanding the Demon Deacons retail footprint across the Triad community and nationally at key retailers to ensure access to a wide range of best-in-class Demon Deacons gear, providing increased quality and value for all fans. This partnership will offer Wake Forest branded merchandise under the labels of some of the world's strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion and Alternative Apparel.
Athletics worked with its exclusive licensing agent, CLC, to conduct a thorough analysis of its licensed apparel program to identify growth opportunities before executing this new agreement with HBI, which includes Wake Forest branded men's, women's, unisex, youth, infant and toddler apparel across mass, midtier, and campus retail channels.
Wake Forest will continue its proud partnership with Nike as the exclusive supplier of uniforms for the Demon Deacons' athletic teams, coaches, and staff, as well as its wide range of licensed fan apparel. Additionally, Wake Forest will continue to work with other premier, brand-name apparel licensees to complement Hanesbrands and Nike in order to meet the needs of fans and greatly expand the retail availability of branded Wake Forest clothing.
To further enhance and integrate the partnership, HBI has agreed to provide hands-on development opportunities for Wake Forest student-athletes, and undergraduate students each year. These activities include company leaders' participation in on-campus events as guest speakers or lecturers, involvement in class projects and an invitation to an annual corporate social responsibility trip to an HBI facility for select members of the Wake Forest University faculty, staff and students.
Director of Athletics John Currie:
"When looking to fulfill our goals of providing Value to the University, Winston-Salem and Triad, and the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina, this partnership was a clear focus. Wake Forest is proud to partner with HanesBrands to further cultivate a relationship that will prove to be extremely valuable for our University and our entire community, while it expands the retail availability of merchandise for students, alumni, fans and anyone living in the Triad!"
HanesBrands. Quote:
"We are thrilled to partner with Wake Forest University," said John Fryer, HBI's president of sports apparel. "Wake Forest is a top national university with premier athletics programs -- and a treasure in our shared hometown of Winston-Salem. Creating this dynamic, long-term partnership is a win for Wake Forest, Winston-Salem and our company. Champion and our other iconic brands will help students, alumni and fans celebrate the college experience, and we'll work together to create unique educational and business opportunities that benefit the university, our company and the community.
CLC Quote:
"We are proud to have been able to leverage our data-based brand strategies to assist Wake Forest in its new partnership with HBI," said Joe Hutchinson, SVP of Strategic Brand Management. "We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the University in its commitment to provide the best product and brand experience for Deacon fans everywhere."
About HanesBrands
HanesBrands (NYSE: HBI) makes everyday apparel that is known and loved by consumers around the world for comfort, quality and value. Among the company's iconic brands are Hanes, the leading basic apparel brand in the United States and Champion, an innovator at the intersection of lifestyle and athletic apparel, along with fan favorites Alternative and Gear for Sports. HBI employs 61,000 associates in 47 countries and has built a strong reputation for workplace quality and ethical business practices. The company, a longtime leader in sustainability, has set aggressive 2030 goals to improve the lives of people, protect the planet and produce sustainable products. HBI is building on its unmatched strengths to unlock its #FullPotential and deliver long-term growth that benefits all of its stakeholders.
About CLC
CLC is the nation's leading collegiate trademark licensing company with a mission to elevate college brands through insight and innovation. The company is uniquely positioned to deliver consumer connections and brand visibility for institutions through data-based, customized solutions that include impactful licensed merchandise strategies and innovative marketing platforms to navigate the ever-evolving consumer and retail marketplace. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, CLC is guided by values to serve others, build trust, lead well, innovate often, and be passionate. Founded in 1981, CLC is a part of LEARFIELD, the leading media and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics.
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Wake Forest and HBI will focus their efforts on expanding the Demon Deacons retail footprint across the Triad community and nationally at key retailers to ensure access to a wide range of best-in-class Demon Deacons gear, providing increased quality and value for all fans. This partnership will offer Wake Forest branded merchandise under the labels of some of the world's strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion and Alternative Apparel.
Athletics worked with its exclusive licensing agent, CLC, to conduct a thorough analysis of its licensed apparel program to identify growth opportunities before executing this new agreement with HBI, which includes Wake Forest branded men's, women's, unisex, youth, infant and toddler apparel across mass, midtier, and campus retail channels.
Wake Forest will continue its proud partnership with Nike as the exclusive supplier of uniforms for the Demon Deacons' athletic teams, coaches, and staff, as well as its wide range of licensed fan apparel. Additionally, Wake Forest will continue to work with other premier, brand-name apparel licensees to complement Hanesbrands and Nike in order to meet the needs of fans and greatly expand the retail availability of branded Wake Forest clothing.
To further enhance and integrate the partnership, HBI has agreed to provide hands-on development opportunities for Wake Forest student-athletes, and undergraduate students each year. These activities include company leaders' participation in on-campus events as guest speakers or lecturers, involvement in class projects and an invitation to an annual corporate social responsibility trip to an HBI facility for select members of the Wake Forest University faculty, staff and students.
Director of Athletics John Currie:
"When looking to fulfill our goals of providing Value to the University, Winston-Salem and Triad, and the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina, this partnership was a clear focus. Wake Forest is proud to partner with HanesBrands to further cultivate a relationship that will prove to be extremely valuable for our University and our entire community, while it expands the retail availability of merchandise for students, alumni, fans and anyone living in the Triad!"
HanesBrands. Quote:
"We are thrilled to partner with Wake Forest University," said John Fryer, HBI's president of sports apparel. "Wake Forest is a top national university with premier athletics programs -- and a treasure in our shared hometown of Winston-Salem. Creating this dynamic, long-term partnership is a win for Wake Forest, Winston-Salem and our company. Champion and our other iconic brands will help students, alumni and fans celebrate the college experience, and we'll work together to create unique educational and business opportunities that benefit the university, our company and the community.
CLC Quote:
"We are proud to have been able to leverage our data-based brand strategies to assist Wake Forest in its new partnership with HBI," said Joe Hutchinson, SVP of Strategic Brand Management. "We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the University in its commitment to provide the best product and brand experience for Deacon fans everywhere."
About HanesBrands
HanesBrands (NYSE: HBI) makes everyday apparel that is known and loved by consumers around the world for comfort, quality and value. Among the company's iconic brands are Hanes, the leading basic apparel brand in the United States and Champion, an innovator at the intersection of lifestyle and athletic apparel, along with fan favorites Alternative and Gear for Sports. HBI employs 61,000 associates in 47 countries and has built a strong reputation for workplace quality and ethical business practices. The company, a longtime leader in sustainability, has set aggressive 2030 goals to improve the lives of people, protect the planet and produce sustainable products. HBI is building on its unmatched strengths to unlock its #FullPotential and deliver long-term growth that benefits all of its stakeholders.
About CLC
CLC is the nation's leading collegiate trademark licensing company with a mission to elevate college brands through insight and innovation. The company is uniquely positioned to deliver consumer connections and brand visibility for institutions through data-based, customized solutions that include impactful licensed merchandise strategies and innovative marketing platforms to navigate the ever-evolving consumer and retail marketplace. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, CLC is guided by values to serve others, build trust, lead well, innovate often, and be passionate. Founded in 1981, CLC is a part of LEARFIELD, the leading media and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics.
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
.jpg&height=340&type=webp)
Sept. 27, 2025: Coach Jake Dickert Postgame Press Conference Following Game vs. Georgia Tech
Sunday, September 28
Wake Forest Football | Georgia Tech Trailer
Friday, September 26
Football Media Availability (9/24/25)
Wednesday, September 24
Football Media Availability (9/23/25)
Tuesday, September 23