How to Obtain NFL Licensing Agreements

If you want to legally sell items that represent the National Football League or NFL, Super Bowl, Pro Bowl or any NFL team using words or official seals and symbols, you have to have an NFL licensing agreement, because all of these are licensed trademarks. Obtaining an NFL licensing agreement takes a considerable amount of time. There are very specific requirements that you must meet before the NFL will even consider you for a licensing agreement.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Read the pre-qualification agreement (see Resources) to determine if you meet the minimum requirements. Some of these include having at least three years of experience in manufacturing or distribution, being the manufacturer of the items you want licensed, running a legitimate business that follows all applicable laws, having financial backing and carrying a certain level of insurance.

2. Gather the required information. This includes two years of audited financial statements and tax returns, a current annual report, current product catalogue and a letter of reference from a financial institution such as your bank. Make sure that all of these are legible and have appropriate contact information for the preparer. The NFL may contact the preparer with questions.

3. Download, print and fill out the pre-qualification information form. Write legibly and fill everything out. If some thing isn't applicable to your company, write 'not applicable' instead of leaving the space blank.

4. Scan the pre-qualification information form and supporting documents. You will have to email them to [e-mail]. When the NFL receives this information, you will get an email from them showing the date of receipt. You will be notified within 90 calendar days if your application was approved. Your application was denied if you haven't gotten an email within 90 days. If your application was denied, you can reapply in one year.

5. Follow all directions when you submit your ideas if your application was approved. These directions will vary depending on what category your proposed item falls into.

Tips & Warnings

• Give permission to the preparers of your financial documents and other business documents to answer questions if an NFL representative contacts them. This will help the NFL process your application faster.
• Don't submit any ideas to the NFL until you are instructed to do so. If you submit any ideas before they ask you for them, you may lose all rights to the idea and be permanently banned from applying for licensing agreements in the future.
• Reread the pre-qualification agreement to learn what items the NFL isn't licensing at any given time. These items change often.

Resources

• Click here for the official NFL licensing pre-qualification agreement.