SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga University and The Brandr Group (TBG) today announced the establishment of a group licensing agreement for the university's student-athletes covering all the Bulldogs' 18 varsity sports. The agreement opens the doors for groups of student-athletes to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) using the school's official trademarks and logos.
 
 "We are excited about the opportunities this relationship brings to bear for our student-athletes," Gonzaga Athletic Director Chris Standiford said. "The Brandr Group is a national leader in the group licensing space, and we believe this will be a win-win for our student-athletes and the many fans who want to support them through the purchasing of co-branded merchandise."
 
The partnership with The Brandr Group allows for the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with the Gonzaga logos and marks. Student-athletes are receiving education on the program and now have the chance to opt-in to the group licensing opportunity. TBG will facilitate group licensing discussions and chances on behalf of the student-athletes, and the program does not limit individual NIL rights. Interested licensees should contact Kathleen Melvin at TBG for more details.
 
Gonzaga has enjoyed an impressive history in athletics and academic success, with the men's and women's basketball programs recently leading the way. The men's team as the only program in NCAA Div. 1 history to boast five straight 30-win seasons (37 in 2016-17, 32 in 2017-18, 33 in 2018-19, 31 in 2019-20, 31 in 2020-21). The Gonzaga women's basketball team made its 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this past season. The Bulldogs claimed the West Coast Conference regular season title for the fifth-straight season, and the 17th in program history. 
 
In the classroom and in the community, student athletes completed 3,100 hours of community service to more than 30 agencies last year. Student-Athletes combined for a department record with a 3.51 grade-point average for the Spring Semester – 3.90 by the men's tennis team. Athletic programs ranked in the top five in both the Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate.
 
"Gonzaga has held a high standard for its athletes both in competition and through their academic journeys, but there is no doubt about the excitement surrounding these student-athletes as they head into winter sports and that is especially true for their No.1-ranked men's basketball team" said Wesley Haynes, TBG CEO. "We are excited to help these athletes benefit from various co-branded opportunities through our group licensing programs that will that span traditional Zags merchandise and also new and exciting various digital and innovative programs. In this new era of collegiate athletics, group licensing offers the opportunity for these student-athletes to benefit financially from their NIL, while also offering merchandise and sponsorship opportunities that promise to enhance the fan experience."
 
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 extensive 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.
 
For decades, professional athletes have benefited from products that combine team logos and player names and numbers, with those sales accounting for a large portion of licensed sports merchandise sales. This group licensing program opens the door for the same opportunities for Gonzaga players. Fans can expect to be able to purchase official Zags merchandise, including team jerseys, with the name and number of their favorite players provided they have joined the respective group licensing program once TBG enters into agreements with applicable school trademark licensees.
 
Gonzaga fans can be on the lookout for merchandise to be available in the near future.
 
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 with college athletic programs and their student athletes in the Name, Image and Likeness category representing more than 20 schools 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.