University of Connecticut Extends Partnership with CLC Licensing

October 19, 2014

CLC Licensing, the licensing affiliate of IMG College, today announced it has reached an agreement for a multi-year extension with the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies to continue managing the school’s trademark licensing program.

UConn and CLC Licensing, who have partnered since 1986, signed a new 10-year agreement that will run until 2024. Under the agreement, UConn will continue to leverage CLC Licensing’s leading brand protection, brand management and brand development services through a comprehensive trademark licensing program customized exclusively for the university.

As part of its full service platform, CLC Licensing managed UConn’s national championship merchandise programs, including championship royalties, marketing plans, and trademark enforcement. CLC Licensing also worked with UConn to design and create the 2014 men’s and women’s basketball National Championship logos as well as the Dual Championship logo, which became a big seller at retail. The 2014 dual championship came 10 years after the first time UConn won both men’s and women’s championships in 2004. No other school has accomplished this feat in a single season.  Additionally, CLC Licensing designed the 2011 men’s National Championship logo as well as the 2013, 2010 and 2009 National Championship logos.

In 2013, UConn, working closely with its sideline partner, Nike, and CLC Licensing, launched a rebrand with updated word marks and a new Husky dog. In addition to Nike, over 40 licensees were granted semi-exclusive rights during the first year of the new logo (July 2013- June 2014). 2013-14 represented UConn’s second-highest royalty grossing year in the history of its licensing program.

 
“We are very happy to continue our almost 30-year relationship with CLC,” said UConn Athletics Director Warde Manuel. “The past 18 months have been an exciting time for UConn and the UConn brand, and CLC has been a great resource and partner in those efforts. We look forward to continuing our work with CLC to help our fans show their Husky pride in different ways.”
 

UConn is a member of CLC Licensing’s National Marketing Fund, which focuses on expanding each participating school’s presence in the retail marketplace through national promotional programs. UConn is part of the Saturday Ritual Program exclusively at Dick’s Sporting Goods in 10 statewide locations. This program resulted in double-digit growth last year and is on pace for similar results this year. UConn also participates in CLC Licensing’s most successful co-branded licensed product collaborations including Victoria’s Secret PINK, Dockers, Yankee Candle, and Columbia outerwear.
 
Through CLC Licensing’s strong relationships with licensees and retailers, UConn’s presence in the retail market place has grown significantly; licensed merchandise is available at numerous retailers such as Bob’s Stores, Lids, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sports Authority and JCPenney among others. CLC Licensing has also successfully helped UConn gain positioning at youth retailers such as Justice and Brothers in the past two years to expand its brand presence to this demographic.

“From championship hot markets to a logo rebrand to national, regional and customized local programs, CLC brings our full resources to bear in serving UConn,” said Cory Moss, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of CLC. “We are excited to continue to expand on our successful partnership, and we look forward to continuing to pursue innovative growth opportunities connecting UConn’s passionate fan base to the vital Huskies brand.”
 
CLC Licensing is the leading collegiate licensing agency in the U.S. and currently represents nearly 200 collegiate properties, including 28 bowl games including the College Football Playoff, in the $4.6 billion retail market for collegiate products.