Licensing & Merchandising
Rare Trout trading card sets new industry sales record
One-of-a-kind baseball card sold in auction for nearly $4m
Fanatics raises $350m in Series E funding ahead of likely IPO
International sports merchandiser Fanatics has raised $350m (£267.7m/€296.2m) in its latest investment round and appears to be preparing for an initial public offering.
Kraken reaps rewards of successful brand identity unveiling
National Hockey League expansion team Seattle Kraken is reaping the commercial rewards across a series of metrics from its hugely successful brand identity unveiling
AC Milan’s Oettle: New EA Sports deal can help drive into entertainment sector
AC Milan’s exclusive licensing agreement with video game developer Electronic Arts will help the Serie A side in its drive to move deeper into the entertainment and music sectors following on from its r…
Ascot Racecourse renews IMG licensing partnership
Ascot Racecourse has renewed its exclusive global licensing and on-site retail agreement with the IMG agency until 2025
Uefa relaunches tender for club collectibles, combines with national competition rights
Uefa has relaunched the tender for the licensing rights in the “collectibles” category for its club competitions from 2021-24 and will now combine the process with the tender for collectible rights for…
Topps sets sales record with Fauci card
Company more than doubles prior Topps Now sales mark with card featuring popular immunologist
Fidelity ‘in talks’ to invest $350m in Fanatics
Boston-based financial services company Fidelity Investments is in talks to invest $350m (£275m/€301.74m) in international sports merchandising company Fanatics.
Seattle NHL expansion team unveils Kraken nickname
The National Hockey League expansion team in Seattle, Washington, has revealed the franchise will be called the Seattle Kraken
NBA agrees e-commerce tie-up in the Philippines
The National Basketball Association has agreed a deal with Filipino basketball apparel retailer Titanomachy International (Titan) to launch an official online store for the league in the market
Charlotte MLS expansion team unveils name, logo, and colors
The Major League Soccer expansion team in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been officially announced as Charlotte FC
Edmonton CFL team officially drops Eskimos nickname
The Edmonton-based Canadian Football League team will officially no longer be called the Eskimos following a review of the moniker, the franchise has confirmed
Jordan Brand’s Jumpman logo to appear on select NBA uniforms next season
Jordan Brand's Jumpman logo will appear on all National Basketball Association Statement Edition uniforms, starting with the 2020-21 season.
UFC, ACX Music partner to create music streaming app
Ultimate Fighting Championship has signed a licensing agreement with global creative tech company ACX Music to create music streaming app "UFC Ultimate Sound.
Panini extends trading card deal with CLC
Renewal continues agreement initially struck in 2015
Fanatics strikes retail partnership with Carolina Panthers, MLS Charlotte
Global licensed sports merchandise manufacturer and retailer Fanatics has signed a long-term deal to become the official omnichannel retail partner of Tepper Sports & Entertainment (TSE)
RLWC2021 announces Cube Partnership as official retail and merchandise supplier
The organising committee of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup has announced Ledbury-based retail and licensing company Cube Partnership as its official merchandise supplier
AC Milan enters into ‘industry-first’ deal with Roc Nation
Italian Serie A football club AC Milan has agreed what it claims is a “unique, industry-first partnership” with sports and entertainment agency Roc Nation as it seeks to return to the top table in the…