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North Carolina to launch first group licensing program
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A few weeks after new name, image and likeness policies took effect, we’re witnessing another groundbreaking moment.
The University of North Carolina has announced that it has partnered with The Brandr Group (TBG) and are launching the first-ever group licensing program for current NCAA student-athletes.
Per the statement from North Carolina, the new program will allow student-athletes to benefit from NIL opportunities while using UNC’s official trademarks and logos. It is available for all Tar Heel student-athletes.
“The innovative initiative extends new opportunities for all Tar Heels to profit from using their name, image and likeness and builds on the early success of Carolina’s Alumni Group Rights program, which launched in April,” the school said in a statement. “This new program invites all of UNC’s current student-athletes to join a voluntary group licensing program, which will allow them to benefit from their NIL in conjunction with UNC’s official trademarks and logos.”
Per the release from North Carolina, TBG has “industry-leading experience creating and managing similar programs with professional player associations and recently launched the Alumni Group Rights Program with UNC and other schools.”
“This is an outstanding opportunity because it will allow our student-athletes to benefit, together, with our trademarks and logos – and to have more choices and chances to collectively benefit from their NIL,” said athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “I have long supported the group licensing concept because it can positively impact so many student-athletes. I’m proud that Carolina is the first program to support college athletes, past and present, through group licensing.”
This program is the first of its kind in current college athletics.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB