The University of Michigan and American apparel giant HanesBrands (HBI) have announced a multiyear renewal of their current apparel agreement, giving HBI the rights to design, produce, and distribute Wolverine fanwear in the mass retail channel. For more than a decade, HBI has been Michigan’s official apparel partner. According to a press statement, the University of Michigan joins Clemson, Auburn, Penn State, NC State, and more than two dozen other prominent colleges that have exclusive mass channel retail ties with HBI.
HBI is also still a favoured supplier to the M Den, the University of Michigan Athletic Department’s official shop. Furthermore, the Champion brand will continue to connect with student athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, as it did earlier this year with University of Michigan track and field standout Ziyah Holman. The expansion of the partnership with HanesBrands followed a thorough examination of the University of Michigan’s trademark licencingprogramme and a competitive bid process conducted in collaboration with the university’s exclusive licencing agent, CLC. Aside from these exclusive programmes, Michigan will continue its connection with Nike as a source of performance products and fan apparel.
