Wake Forest Athletics and The Brandr Group Launch Group Licensing for Student-Athletes

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Athletics and The Brandr Group (TBG) have established a group licensing program covering all 400-plus Demon Deacon student-athletes across the university's 18 varsity sports. Through this collaboration, Wake Forest student-athletes can financially benefit from their NIL through co-branded opportunities across the school's merchandising and sponsorship portfolio, while Demon Deacon fans will enjoy new ways to celebrate their favorite players.

"Wake Forest Athletics strives each day to be A Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program and today's announcement of collaboration with The Brandr Group allows us to help deliver our No. 1 goal of providing a World Class Student-Athlete Experience," Director of Athletics John Currie said. "We are grateful to provide this opportunity for our young men and women as they can easily, and compliantly, explore NIL opportunities."

TBG will support Wake Forest in adding a new chapter to its storied athletic tradition through the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with the Wake Forest logos and marks. Student-athletes will have the ability to voluntarily join a group licensing program, and participation in the program will not limit any student-athlete's individual licensing and marketing activities. TBG will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of student-athletes. Potential licensees interested in learning more about the program should contact Kathleen Melvin at TBG.

TBG, a brand management, marketing and licensing agency, will manage and administer the program as well as develop licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes. With decades of collective management experience for some of the world's largest brands, TBG also manages the group rights program for the NFL, NBA and MLB players' associations in the college space.

"When we started this agency seven years ago with the NFL player rights program, I hoped we'd one day have the chance to work with current student-athletes at Wake Forest University," said Hunter Haynes, TBG Vice President of Group Rights Development. "As a former Wake Forest student-athlete, I'm excited to see that dream come to life through our collegiate group rights program and to develop co-branded opportunities for current Demon Deacons, such as our Hanesbrands, Inc. partnership. Wake fans will now be able to buy their favorite player's jerseys, apparel, etc., and see student-athletes in advertising campaigns. Go Deacs!"

Products that combine team logos and player names and numbers have accounted for a large portion of licensed sports merchandise sales at the professional level for decades, and this program provides student-athletes at the college level with the same opportunities. Fans will be able to purchase official Wake Forest merchandise, including team jerseys with the name and number of their favorite Demon Deacon players who have joined the respective group licensing program, once TBG enters into agreements with applicable school trademark licensees.

"We have had a partnership with The Brandr Group for several months now since NIL programs were allowed with official school partners and licensees. Now we get to do the same with our local, hometown Wake Forest student-athletes," said John Fryer, President of Licensed Sports Apparel for Hanesbrands, Inc. "Our consumer research continues to show us that college fans are interested in purchasing school products co-branded with their favorite players' NIL. Given all the recent successes, and the preseason rankings of the various Wake Forest teams, this is an exciting opportunity to develop for our Deac fans and retail partners."

About The Brandr Group
The Brandr Group (TBG) is a brand management, marketing and licensing agency powered by a team with decades of collective management experience for some of the world's largest brands. TBG has emerged as the leading agency in group licensing programs, leading efforts for more than 50 college athletic programs and their student athletes in the Name, Image and Likeness category including the biggest brands in college athletics. TBG partners with prominent brands, colleges, sponsors, corporate trademarks, athletes and events to cultivate, diversify and monetize intellectual property through professional brand management and licensing endeavors. For more information, please visit tbgusa.com.

Wake Forest Athletics

Wake Forest Athletics and The Brandr Group Launch Group Licensing for Student-Athletes

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