ATLANTA – With this year’s College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game playing host to the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs and the Horned Frogs of TCU, CLC, the nation’s leading collegiate trademark licensing agency, is working with CFP officials to protect visitors and fans from purchasing potential counterfeit and unlicensed merchandise.
CLC, the exclusive licensing agent for the CFP, will work closely with investigators to patrol the areas around SoFi Stadium and CFP events in search of counterfeiters selling “knock-off” merchandise.
“We are committed to delivering a great experience for the participating teams and their fans, which includes providing quality, licensed merchandise as a memento of the game,” said Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff. “CLC’s enforcement network helps protect our fans from counterfeit goods that may otherwise take away from that experience.”
Enforcement efforts surrounding the CFP began last week at the two CFP Semifinal games: the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
“Our enforcement officials will be working to deter potential counterfeiters eager to capitalize on the excitement of the game and the passionate fans of these two great teams,” said Dave Kirkpatrick, SVP, CLC. “Our goal is to safeguard fans from purchasing unlicensed counterfeit merchandise that often is of inferior quality while protecting the brands of the College Football Playoff and the participating institutions, as well as the officially-licensed manufacturers that have authorized to sell approved merchandise.”
There are 42 companies that are officially licensed to produce approved merchandise bearing the marks of the College Football Playoff. Fans are encouraged to purchase only officially licensed CFP merchandise to ensure higher-quality products that can serve as souvenirs of their national championship experience.
Consumer tips for purchasing officially licensed College Football Playoff merchandise:
- All officially licensed merchandise should display the “Officially Licensed Collegiate Product” or the CFP’s “Extra Yard for Teachers” hologram somewhere on the product or hangtag.
- The merchandise should depict the logos and trademarks of the College Football Playoff and participating teams in a tasteful manner.
- The tag on the garment should be intact. A torn or missing tag is evidence of a garment of inferior quality, one that probably would not meet the stringent quality standards put in place by the College Football Playoff and participating teams.
- All merchandise should bear the name of the manufacturer somewhere on the product, either in the form of a hangtag, a neck label, or screen-printed directly on the garment.
- All merchandise should have the appropriate trademark designations (i.e., TM, â) next to a specific name or design.
Fans are encouraged to follow the above guidelines when shopping for merchandise online as well, since many counterfeiters target fans via social media and other online outlets.
Royalties generated from the sale of CFP merchandise help fund the organization’s philanthropic initiative, Extra Yard for Teachers. Extra Yard for Teachers is dedicated to honoring and supporting teachers nationally and in the communities that host the CFP National Championship through the direct provision of resources, professional development and training, teacher recognition and the support of a college-going culture. Sales of officially licensed CFP merchandise have generated more than $8 million for Extra Yard for Teachers since its inception in 2015.
About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff matches the No. 1 ranked team vs. No. 4, and No. 2 vs. No. 3 in semifinal games that rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl Game. This season’s Playoff Semifinals took place Saturday, December 31, 2022, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The Los Angeles region will host the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium.
About CLC
CLC is the nation’s leading collegiate trademark licensing company with a mission to elevate college brands through insight and innovation. The company is uniquely positioned to deliver consumer connections and brand visibility for institutions through data-based, customized solutions that include impactful licensed merchandise strategies and innovative marketing platforms to navigate the ever-evolving consumer and retail marketplace. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, CLC is guided by values to serve others, build trust, lead well, innovate often, and be passionate. Founded in 1981, CLC is a part of LEARFIELD, the leading media and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics.