This note is written by Scott Sillcox in fall 2023 in response to a lot of readers asking me three questions:
A. You wrote and posted many of your blog postings several years ago, is the info still relevant today? Short answer - absolutely! The basics of sports licensing change very little over the years, so I strongly suggest that if you are trying to learn about sports licensing, read away! I have also tried to update certain areas where there have been significant changes, so I feel comfortable in telling you that this information is still highly relevant.
B. You mention that you are a consultant and might be able to help me, do you still do consulting? Short answer - absolutely! I work in the licensing field virtually every day of my life, so if you have questions or would like my help, contact me! The two primary ways I work are hourly telephone consulting ($175US/hour) and face-to-face meetings where I come right to your office for a full day ($1500US/day + $650 travel expenses).
C. How often do you update your database? Short answer - weekly for sure, and often daily. As soon as I read/hear/learn about new information as it pertains to licensees, I enter that info into the database. That doesn't mean it's entirely 100% accurate - things change too quickly for me to be able to make that claim, but at any given time I give the database a solid 8.5/10 on the accuracy scale and it's certainly far better than anything else out there.
Many thanks and happy reading -
Scott Sillcox
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Greetings and I’m here to tell you about something new!
In early 2012 we launched a brand new, searchable Online Directory of North American Licensed Sports Products Companies - it’s called LicensedSports.net and it can be found at that same address and costs just $59 to use for three months. This is a highly searchable directory of licensed sports products companies in North America, companies that have been licensed by various sports leagues. And I update the database weekly, sometimes daily.
I can't help but brag about this piece of work - I put a lot of effort into this website and I am proud of it. If you are looking for licensed sports products companies in North America, there is nothing on the internet that comes close to this resource. So please take advantage of this resource and "Search Away". Want to find companies that are licensed by both the NFL and NBA, are located in California and sell Housewares? We've got it. How about MLB apparel licensees? We’ve got it.
This new Online Directory - LicensedSports.net - and this blog are both Scott Sillcox Projects. Two great features of the Online Directory are:
1. The dynamic view of each company’s website – when you look at a company’s record, there is a live screen with their website right there on your screen.
2. We have tried our best to show one or more key contacts at each company, and wherever possible we have included email addresses, phone #’s, fax #’s and even Linkedin url’s.
Who would want to use this low cost (only $59 to use for three months) Online Directory of North American Licensed Sports Products Companies?
* You might be a retailer who sells licensed sports products and you want to find new or additional suppliers.
* You might be an entrepreneur interested in becoming a sports product licensee and want to understand the competitive landscape and what others are doing.
* You might be someone with an idea for a licensed sports product and are trying to find an existing licensee who might be interested in hearing about your idea.
* You might be an existing licensee wanting to learn more about what your fellow licensees are (and aren’t) doing.
* You might even be one of the sports leagues themselves, cross-referencing licensees of other leagues.
Whatever your reason, my point is this: There could be any number of reasons why this online directory might be of interest to you. And for only $59, you have access to the entire database for three months which I update weekly, sometimes daily. If you're not sure if this database would be worth the investment, check out this 3 minute video that gives you a sense of what to expect.
Here are some specific questions you might be trying to answer:
I’m looking for a list of NFL licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the NFL)?
I’m looking for a list of NFLPA licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the NFLPA)?
I’m looking for a list of MLB licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by MLB)?
I’m looking for a list of MLBP licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the MLBP – Major League Baseball Players)?
I’m looking for a list of NBA licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the NBA)?
I’m looking for a list of NBPA licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the NBPA – National Basketball Players Association)?
I’m looking for a list of NHL licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the NHL)?
I’m looking for a list of NHLPA licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the NHLPA)?
I’m looking for a list of NCAA licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the NCAA)?
I’m looking for a list of CLC licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the CLC – The Collegiate Licensing Company)?
I’m looking for a list of US college licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by US colleges)?
I’m looking for a list of MLS licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by MLS)?
I’m looking for a list of Nascar licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by Nascar)?
I’m looking for a list of UFC licensees (ie a list of companies licensed by the UFC – Ultimate Fighting Championship)?
And while you’re in such an inquisitive mood, you might also ask, why did Scott Sillcox spend so much time and effort to create this Online Directory of 2500+ licensed sports product companies in North America?
The answer is simple. I have a fair amount of knowledge about the licensed sports products business, knowledge that seems to be in scarce supply, especially on the internet. After spending 15+ years in the licensed sports products business, I accumulated a wealth of knowledge that I am happy to share. This blog and Online Directory are designed to share that information - information that is simply not available anywhere else on the internet. This blog and Online Directory are my way of giving back and helping people interested in the world of licensed sports products.
This blog and Online Directory are also my way of letting people know that I am a licensed sports products consultant. I am available to consult with existing and potential licensees and my goal is simple, to help you make money by being a better licensee and/or save money by avoiding licensing pitfalls. If you would like to learn more, please contact me: ssillcox@rogers.com or by cell 416-315-4736. I am here to help and I am a good listener!
But most importantly, check out this searchable Online Directory of 2500+ North American Licensed Sports Products Companies at LicensedSports.net - it only costs $59 to use for three months. And I update the database weekly, sometimes daily.
Thanks and Search Away!
Scott
PS I have also been approached by a number of people in other industries who like the software behind the Online Directory. I am delighted to sell the entire code to almost anyone and it’s quite customizable. So if your interest lies in a free-to-the-user or user-pay searchable online directory – let’s talk. This would be great for trade associations, exhibitions and trade shows, other consultants – and probably many other groups.
Hi Scott,
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing such a helpful/informative blog. I am very interested in applying for a NHL license for apparel and am in the beginning stages of the process. That being said, on the application it states the following, "Your company must be a manufacturer, not a middleman, distributor or
promotional products company." So, if I were to work with a manufacturer (with 5+ years experience in manufacturing and distribution) to create and produce the clothing, I would still not be able to become licensed because I do not own the manufacturer? Or, am I misreading the application? It's hard to believe that all licensees own their own manufacturing companies and don't outsource any of the production. Any clarification and input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Anonymous #1
Short answer - you're right and they're wrong. It's really a case of them not thinking about what they wrote carefully enough. If you arrange for the manufacturing , ie with a manufacturer in China, that's "equivalent" to you being the manufacturer. If they actually meant that each licensee has to be the actual manufacturer, they would lose 75% of their licensees.
DeleteIn the slightly bigger picture, what I do as a consultant is help people like you prepare the best possible application they can for the various leagues. I'm not put on this planet to blow my own horn, but you might do well to invest in a full day session, or at least a half day session, with me to make sure your application is all it can be. There are a lot of pitfalls and wrong turns you can take when applying for a license. Why not learn from someone who does this for a living as a consultant?
End of lecture and all the best!
Scott