Texas Longhorns Rule College Merchandising Sales For 8th Straight Year
Talk about a rabid fanbase who can’t get enough! The Texas Longhorns have once again topped college sports for the most royalties of any college or university represented by the Collegiate Licensing Company. The company’s clients include Ohio State, Michigan University, University of Southern California, and Oregon.
As expected, schools in the SEC dominated the top 10 spots for royalties. Here are the top 10 earners from July 1, 2012 through June 20, 2013:
University of Alabama (2), Notre Dame (3), University of Michigan (4), Kentucky (5), LSU (6), Florida (7), Georgia (8), UNC (9), and Arkansas (10).
It was Arkansas’ first time in the top 10 and Texas’ eight year at the top of the royalties chart for college merchandising.
College sports continues to draw huge revenues with $4.6 billion raised from annual merchandise sales.
Some universities made huge gains including Notre Dame, which jumped from number nine last year to number 3 over the last 12 months.
Texas A&M was helped along by Johnny Manziel winning the Heisman Trophy, and the team’s debut into the SEC with an 11-2 season
Texas A&M jumped from No. 19 to No. 12 over the past year.
The big loser following the Jerry Sandusky scandal was Penn State, which dropped from 10 to 12 two years ago and then 12 to 19th place over the last year.
When examining the biggest licensing agreements, it was once again Nike in the top spot followed by EA Sports and various other apparel and non-apparel licensees. The NCAA recently announced it would take its name off the EA Sports franchise, but school logos will still be used for future games.
As complaints continue to mount over the NCAA’s monopolistic grip over college sports, we have to admit that universities aren’t doing too bad these days when their teams are winning. Heck, even a losing storied franchise can do okay in an improving economy.
Are you surprised by any of the top 10 schools to make the list for royalty payments?
