John Wooden Family Signs Licensing Deal

Content Published Originally by Sports Collectors Daily on Tuesday, May 24th, 2011.

IMG Licensing has signed the Family of legendary basketball coach John  Wooden for licensing and endorsements.

Following what the company called "an extremely competitive process", IMG Licensing was selected by the Wooden Family to manage endorsement, licensing and media opportunities. IMG represents the "right of publicity" of John Wooden including his name, voice, likeness, image, and signature. Additionally, the family has a plethora of videos, photos, and other rare mementos that will be used in what it calls "a unique collectible program".

One of the late coach's jackets, worn during his days on campus,recently sold at auction for $183,500

Wooden led UCLA to 10 NCAA National Championships in a 12-year period, including an unprecedented seven consecutive titles from 1967-1973. He was named national coach of the year six times. As a player at Purdue University where he won a National Championship, Wooden was the first player ever to be named basketball All-American three times. He was also the first person to be named a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

Beyond his unparalleled success at UCLA where he was beloved by his former players, the Wooden legacy and philosophy towards teaching, motivating, and leading is forever embodied in his Pyramid of Success, which serves as a teaching platform for children, athletes, and coaches. The Pyramid has already been adapted into a children's book: "Inch and Miles, The Journey to Success."  The foundation of the Pyramid is the knowledge that life, like basketball, is a team game. "The main ingredient in stardom," Coach Wooden told his players, "is the rest of the team."

"We are very excited to represent the Family of Coach Wooden," said Daniel Siegel, Vice President of Licensing. "As a UCLA alum and long-time admirer of Coach Wooden, I'm honored to have the opportunity to work with his lovely family to preserve the Wooden brand and legacy."

Renowned for his short, simple inspirational messages to his players, many fans and admirers view Wooden as a combination of Vince Lombardi, General Patton and John F. Kennedy.

IMG Licensing says it "will seek opportunities in traditional sports licensing categories, including memorabilia and apparel, and will work closely with IMG College to explore synergies with UCLA to carry on Coach Wooden's connection to its storied basketball heritage".

IMG will also be developing the philosophies of  Wooden and his Pyramid of Success across film, television, and other forms of media.

In a statement, the coach's children stated:  "We are very pleased to have a company of IMG's reputation working to expand the Wooden global brand. Our dad touched millions of people around the globe with his simple, direct approach to life and he has provided his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with a blueprint for success that we feel should be shared with as many people as possible."