WNBPA INKS FIRST THREE LICENSEES VIA REP WORLDWIDE
LAS VEGAS, May 22, 2018 – In a giant step forward to further develop its group licensing program, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has signed its first three deals via REP Worldwide, the player union’s group licensing representation partner. Strideline, Build-A-Head and Original Retro Brand join the WNBPA licensing business in multiyear deals to create player-branded products and merchandise for the players’ legions of fans.
“Working with REP Worldwide, we are excited to reenergize the women’s basketball community with an assortment of fun new products. Partners like Strideline, Build-A-Head and Original Retro Brand are the perfect fit to launch our licensing program because they have a commitment to the fans, the sport and us, the athletes,” said Nneka Ogwumike of the LA Sparks, president of the WNBPA executive committee and REP Worldwide athlete advisory board member.
Premium sports sock manufacturer Strideline will create a uniquely designed line of WNBA player licensed socks as part of its inaugural women’s collection. Additionally, the Seattle-based company will be providing players a chance to learn about the business and gain important career-building skills through offseason internships as part of a planned WNBPA player internship program.
Fans love to show support for their favorite players – and collecting giant cutout faces of the bright stars of the WNBA is no exception. Build-A-Head will for the first time celebrate the WNBPA’s diverse female athletes by creating a series of high-quality player face cutouts, face heart cutouts, name and number cutouts, as well as cutout keychains and ornaments.
Through its partnership with cutting edge fashion company, Original Retro Brand, WNBA players’ collegiate name and number will be co-branded on vintage tee-shirts, long-sleeved tee-shirts and hoodies. The initial line is planned to include players who attended Connecticut, Delaware, Tennessee, Baylor and Notre Dame.
There is rising excitement and momentum around the members of the WNBPA – which was the first labor union for professional female athletes – following historic levels in attendance, viewership, social media engagement and merchandise sales during the WNBA’s most recent postseason. Season tipoff is May 18, 2018.
REP Worldwide (Representing Every Player) launched in November 2017 as a first-of-its-kind group player representation business that offers licensing and brand management services to athlete-driven sports properties. NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFL Players Association was joined by founding partners, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association and the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association. Please visit www.repeveryplayer.com for additional information.
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