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In Episode 8 of Season 2 (Part 2), we continue the conversation with Eric Perugini, Chief Commercial Officer at NBALAB - the research and development incubator facilitating product expansion into the NBA's Global Licensing Group.

Eric continues with the journey of NBALAB since it's inception in 2016 and provides insight into the services they provide to creators looking to enter the NBA licensing programme. 

During this this episode we cover;

• The selection process at NBALAB for new brands and creators
• Breaking down the barriers to entry within the NBA global licensing programme
• Types of creators and brands NBALAB are currently working with and the success they've had
• Trends within the NBA global licensing programme marketplace
• The importance of storytelling when connecting new products with the NBA audience

... and so much more!

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast. Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 20% off your first purchase site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

In Episode 8 of Season 2 (Part 1), we chat to Eric Perugini, Chief Commercial Officer at NBALAB - the research and development incubator facilitating product expansion into the NBA's Global Licensing Group.

Eric take us on the journey of NBALAB since it's inception in 2016 and provides insight into the services they provide to creators looking to enter the NBA licensing programme. 

During this this episode we cover;

• NBALAB's origin story and the inspiration for the creation of their unique entity
• The innovative approach taken in 1984 by Bill Thickett, the co-founder of NBALAB
• Bill & Billi Kid driving NBALAB from 2016
• The challenges face by new brands and creators when trying to access the NBA licensing programme
• The "closed shop" of NBA global licensing and the major difference to the UK and European licensing models

... and so much more!

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast. Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 20% off your first purchase site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

In Episode 7 of Season 2, we chat to David Dunn, Managing Director at 442 Design - the leading sports retail stadium store design partner in the UK & Europe.

David has built an impressive portfolio of stadium venue partners across the years and has become renowned as the go-to partner within UK sport for stadium store design & fit out projects.

During this this episode we cover;

• what it takes from start to finish on a stadium store design project
• the work that happens before the pen(cil) touches the paper
• challenges that can arise across projects
• finding the balance for digital inclusion in a modern day store
• creating those unique aspects that only physical retail can provide
• smaller clubs working on a tiny budget
• the art of storytelling and designing with the emotion of fans in mind
• the dream project

... and so much more!

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast. Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 20% off your first purchase site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

In Episode 6 of Season 2, we chat to Josh Briggs, now of Stadium Essentials but formerly Director of Retail at TD Gardens - one of the US's busiest sports venues.

Josh has woven a career in professional sports retail, finding his way back home to New England to head up the Retail Operation at the home of the Boston Celtics & Boston Bruins, TD Gardens.

In the second part of this episode we cover;

• creating elevated retail experiences for the most exclusive courtside guests
• operating Lucky's Chicken t-shirt shop  
• introducing the chicken bucket plushies
• going "all in"
• investing in the RFID tech "vehicle" by partnering with EXO 
• uplifting the consumer experience by halving service times and doubling revenues as a result
• the wider efficiencies to the business of RFID behind the scenes too
• the new gig with Stadium Essentials

... and so much more!

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast. Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 20% off your first purchase site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

In Episode 6 of Season 2, we chat to Josh Briggs, now of Stadium Essentials but formerly Director of Retail at TD Gardens - one of the US's busiest sports venues.

Josh has woven a career in professional sports retail, finding his way back home to New England to head up the Retail Operation at the home of the Boston Celtics & Boston Bruins, TD Gardens.

In the first part of this episode we cover;

• the journey from touring the world with music artists to his dream hometown job
• running a 2-team venue and the challenges that brings 
• managing the team to run 200+ events a year
• working up to 2-years ahead with forecasting & planning
• the varying dynamics of US & UK sports merchandising and the fan cultural differences
• starting to build out women's-specific team collections
• the marketing power of getting product on the athlete

... and so much more!

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast. Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 20% off your first purchase site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

In Episode 5 of Season 2, we chat to Alexander Protsenko - CEO & Founder of KitLegit.

KitLegit is a brand new tech solution providing digital authentication for sports apparel, aimed at detecting any potential indicators of counterfeiting and helping the world of sports merchandising to uphold confidence and trust in authenticated products.

Within this episode we discuss the topical issue of football (soccer) jersey counterfeiting and the darker side of this story, the reason's why it's becoming such a problem, and how KitLegit could hold the answer for clubs, brands and fans looking to eradicate 'fakes' from their world.

In this episode we cover;

• the rise of football (soccer) jersey counterfeiting
• the reasons and success drivers behind popular 'fake' jersey websites 
• the challenges facing some clubs who perhaps aren't setup to service their fan demand as well, and as quickly, as the counterfeiters can
• where the profits from counterfeiting end up and the 'business' activity it's funding
• whether we're reaching a 'tipping point' in fan demand for authentic licensed apparel and how much further clubs and brands can continue to increase their pricing models
• the decisions which led to the development of the AI-driven tech solution, KitLegit
• how KitLegit is using AI machine-learning to help identify 'fakes'
• who can benefit from the use of KitLegit and how it can help bring confidence to a public marketplace with so much uncertainty

... and so much more!

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast. Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 20% off your first purchase site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

In Episode 4 of Season 2, we chat to Gauthier Vervaeke & Thomas Rypens of Club Brugge.

Club Brugge play their football within the Belgian Pro League and regularly within European competitions. With a rich domestic history, they are one of the most successful teams within Belgium.  

Within this episode we discuss the club's intelligent use of fan data, testing and benchmarking as they grow their retail operation. With a pioneering approach to commercial strategies and a willingness to listen to their data analysis if they need to pivot, the club set their own high benchmark in terms of their approach. 

Driven from the top, the club openly encourage testing to determine their strategic decision making. Consistent testing, measuring and analysing, alongside a smart tech-stack, intelligent use of digital solutions and true fan engagement are all helping to revolutionise the retail business unit.

Hear how the club have;

• brought together leading European clubs to form an alliance under the Gamechangers eCommerce banner
• introduced AI within their eCommerce operation
• asked fans to suggest and create their own merchandise ideas through the 'Shape Our Club' campaign
• allowed one of their own junior fans to realise the dream of a lifetime!

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast. Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 15% off site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

In Episode 2 of Season 2, we chat to Nicole Bekkers - Founder and CEO of FC88.

FC88 are challenging the status quo with clubs, federations and global sports brands on the subject of sustainability. Having identified a huge issue with dead-stock during her role with KNVB (Dutch Football Federation) and being unsatisfied with the response she got, Nicole knew she had to do something about this.

Founded in 2020, FC88 are pushing the needle firmly towards a sustainable solution for this current issue which is endemic to the professional sports industry, by creating an upcycling opportunity which takes redundant dead-stock/overstock (call it what you like!) and creates locally, hand-made, new product collections extending the life of this redundant stock, saving this from landfill and/or incineration.

Hear what sparked the FC88 business (and what's behind it's name!) and how that concept has evolved into a multi-national operation, with local studios supporting local markets to lessen the impact of redundant stocks and contribute to driving a more sustainable operation within professional sport.

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast. Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 15% off site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson

Send us a text

Season 2 of That Sports Merch Podcast has arrived!

In the first episode of S2, we talk to Robbie Sarton, Head of Product at Nick Auditore Represents. Robbie, based in Australia head up the product division of NAR, which holds the rights for the Mitchell & Ness brand (and others) for the ANZ market.

We discuss the brand's rights management, product ideation and go to market strategies. You'll hear how NAR have scaled quickly and how they work with well-placed distribution channels and retailers to maximise the success of the brand.

We touch on the impact of popular culture and how this is defining the modern consumer muse. You'll find out the impact of the Netflix series The Last Dance and the AIR movie on this heritage-inspired lifestyle brand.

There's a couple of great anecdotes in there from Robbie too... oh, and hey, did we mention we have an official podcast sponsor? That's right! Welcome to Season 2

In partnership with Streaker Sports, the official podcast sponsor of That Sports Merch Podcast . Check out www.streakersports.com and use code SPORTSMERCH15 for 15% off site-wide.

Support the show

Join our LinkedIn community by following our ThatSportsMerchPodcast page.

Host: Lee Hyde
Co-Host: Matt Hudson