Thoughts on NFL Licensing

[MplsTom]

The NFL sets high prices on licensing because they want to ensure that people using their brand are serious and reliable.

They don't want a mom & pop with a "cool idea" but then diminish the brand with poor service, not enough capital, etc...so they insist on a minimum of years in the business (i.e. printing materials would need to be a printer with a minimum of X dollars in business and 2 yrs experience), etc.

Like it or not, they have a valuable commodity and can afford to be picky in protecting their brand. The whole issue of brand management is serious stuff...look at the last campaign. Regardless of your political affiliation, you never saw anything from the Obama campaign that wasn't in the prescribed font, look, etc. Many marketing experts have commented on how well they managed their brand throughout the campaign as it convyed the image of being in control.

A manufacturer with either some pockets or sponsorship dollars is what it would take...we're below the radar and we're hobbyists. For the most part the NFL leaves us alone, but occasionally they do send "messages" via some of the niche vendors just to let us know who is in charge.