FanPrint, NFLPI Partnership Will Benefit Former Players
FANPRINT AND NFL PLAYERS INC. ANNOUNCE NEW APPAREL LICENSING PARTNERSHIP TO BENEFIT FORMER PLAYERS IN NEED
FanPrint to Direct Licensing Royalties to Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Trust Fund; NFL Great Darren Woodson Has Stake in Online Platform That Launches Today
DALLAS and WASHINGTON (September 9, 2014) - NFL Players Inc. (NFLPI), the marketing and licensing arm of the NFL Players Association, has teamed up with FanPrint, a provider of custom-made soft-goods in a unique licensing deal that will directly benefit the Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Trust Fund (GU PAT Fund). FanPrint is the first NFLPI licensee to link its proceeds to help former NFL players who are in need.
“When Darren and FanPrint approached NFLPI with a proposal to create licensed apparel that would directly benefit former players, they provided a unique benefit and point of differentiation that made this partnership very appealing,” said Steven Scebelo, Vice President Licensing and Business Development, NFLPI. “In addition, FanPrint’s portfolio of new player designs is a very creative addition to the assortment of NFLPI licensed apparel.”
Darren Woodson
Woodson, FanPrint’s Director of Partnerships and one of the company’s founding investors, noted that “licensed sports gear is an $18 billion a year business and I felt with all the passion fans have for their favorite teams and players, there had to be a way to put some of those dollars to good use through charity. The Professional Athletes Foundation grant assistance arm known as the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust Fund does such important work and was a logical beneficiary since it links directly to the players who have helped make the NFL so popular that there is this amazing demand for player affinity apparel.”
FanPrint recruits and works with a wide range of talented graphic artists to create original designs for current NFL players. Fans are able to choose the artwork they like from different collections (including caricatures, player names/numbers, catchphrases, etc.) and order specific designs on apparel items of their choice, providing for an extensive array of custom possibilities.
“Starting today, fans can go to the FanPrint website to check out our great products,” said Woodson. “Among my favorites are designs for Dez Bryant as an ‘X-factor’ and Colin Kaepernick as ‘Kaeptonite,’ since they blend clever animation with each of the player’s on-field abilities,” continued Woodson, a three-time Super Bowl winner and five-time Pro Bowler. “Our goal is to offer a wide range of products that will appeal to every sports fan and enable them to shop with a charitable purpose.”
Editor’s note: High Res photos of select FanPrint designs may be found here.
About FanPrint:
FanPrint is a Dallas-based e-retailer of assorted licensed goods - including soft-goods approved by NFL Players Inc. (NFLPI). It is the first and only NFLPI licensee to direct its licensing royalties to the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust Fund enabling fans to show their support for their favorite football players and teams while shopping with a charitable purpose. FanPrint works with a wide range of talented graphic designers to create original designs for every NFL player. Three-time Super Bowl Champion, five-time Pro Bowler and ESPN NFL analyst, Darren Woodson, is the company’s Director of Business Development and a founding investor along with FanPrint’s CEO, TK Stohlman.
About NFL Players Inc.:
NFL Players Inc. is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. NFLPI has been a trusted resource since 1994, delivering access to the influence, power and personal stories of NFL players. NFLPI is a “one-stop shop” for businesses seeking licensing rights, access to players through hospitality and events, marketing strategy and player procurement. For more information, please visit www.nflplayers.com/info.
About Professional Athletes Foundation:
The Professional Athletes Foundation was established in 1990 to assist former players in need as they worked to transition from their active playing careers in the NFL. The grant assistance arm known as the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust Fund (GU PAT Fund) has assisted approximately 1,800 Former Players to the tune of $13 million since its inception. For more information please visit yourpaf.com or contact us at professionalathletesfoundation@nflplayers.com.