University of Louisville Signs 10-Year Extension with CLC Licensing

November 21, 2014

CLC Licensing, the licensing affiliate of IMG College, today announced a 10-year extension of its partnership agreement with the University of Louisville to continue managing the school’s highly successful trademark licensing program.

Louisville’s licensing program has experienced significant growth since partnering with CLC Licensing in 2001 with consecutive annual royalty increases since 2009 and a 355% increase in royalty-generated revenue over the past 10 years. Since Louisville began its relationship with CLC Licensing, royalties have grown 786%. Louisville licensing continues to gain momentum: 2013-14 represented the largest royalty collection in the history of the school’s licensing program when $2,211,413 in gross royalties was collected.

“The University of Louisville is excited to continue our relationship with CLC. They’ve been great partners and we feel that speaks volumes in our decision to continue the relationship,” said Tom Jurich, Director of Athletics at Louisville. “We look forward to working with CLC to develop this new strategic model and look forward to enhancing our brand.”

CLC Licensing’s representation of Louisville’s trademark licensing program will continue to focus on the selection of and management of best-in-class licensees to build the university’s brand while increasing sales of the highest-quality officially licensed products. Through its relationship with CLC Licensing, the university has developed a portfolio of national licensing and co-branded partnerships that include Victoria’s Secret PINK, Dockers, Yankee Candle, Yeti, Carhartt, and Star Wars (launch fall 2015). CLC Licensing also assisted with Louisville’s transition to the ACC and successfully added licensees to the new ACC/Louisville cobranded program.

Louisville has benefitted from CLC Licensing’s national marketing/retail programs such as “Saturday Ritual,” which placed Cardinals’ signage in Dick’s Sporting Goods locations in Kentucky during the college football season. The program led to a 24% increase in 2013 sales with a double-digit increase expected this year.

CLC Licensing managed the university’s 2013 national men’s basketball championship program, including the creation of special license types to account for championship royalties, marketing plans, and trademark enforcement. The championship yielded a total of $617,972 in royalties for the university.

Louisville works with CLC Licensing to strategically align key partners with specific university licensing programs. In addition, CLC Licensing’s creative team produces and maintains all digital brand assets for the school’s licensing program. Examples include all athletic championship logos and a mark commemorating men’s basketball’s 100th season available for licensees to use on apparel and non-apparel product.

“We are thrilled to continue to our very successful relationship with Louisville and to serve the university and its fans,” said Cory Moss, CLC’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director. “As the licensing marketplace evolves, we are grateful Louisville has again placed its trust in CLC as the best partner to serve the university, particularly in our ability to engage the combined resources of IMG | WME. We will continue to work hard to keep growing one of America’s most successful and storied university brands.”

CLC Licensing, the leading collegiate trademark licensing agency in the U.S., has extended its licensing agreements with more than 35 properties this year. CLC Licensing currently represents nearly 200 collegiate properties, including 25 bowl games and the College Football Playoff, in the $4.6 billion retail market for collegiate products.

About CLC Licensing
CLC Licensing is a division of global sports and entertainment company IMG. Founded in 1981, CLC Licensing is the oldest and largest collegiate trademark licensing agency in the U.S. and currently represents nearly 200 colleges, universities, bowl games, athletic conferences, The Heisman Trophy and the NCAA. The mission of CLC Licensing is to be the guiding force in collegiate trademark licensing and one of the top sports licensing firms in the country. CLC Licensing is dedicated to being a center of excellence in providing licensing services of the highest quality to its member institutions, licensees, retailers and consumers. Headquartered in Atlanta, CLC Licensing is a full-service licensing representative, which employs a staff of more than 90 licensing professionals who provide full-service capabilities in brand protection, brand management, and brand development.