IMG Extends PGA Tour Licensing Through 2015

The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) have retained the services of IMG as the PGA Tour’s world wide licensing representative until 2015.

IMG will work with the Tour to expand and manage the PGA Tour’s international retail licensing program in all regions except Japan, where the PGA Tour separately retains Bonmax Co. Ltd. as its Master Licensee.

Tim Hawes, Senior Vice President, PGA Tour Retail Licensing, said: “We are very excited to announce this new global partnership with IMG. IMG’s ability to provide worldwide licensing services will allow the PGA Tour brand to expand into regions where we have not been before. Also, the expertise that IMG’s team will provide our current licensee base will increase the PGA Tour brand presence internationally.”

IMG will represent all Tour brands in the licensing space – PGA Tour, Champions Tour, Nationwide Tour, FedExCup and Tournament Collection. A sampling of branded products includes apparel, headwear, accessories, sporting goods, luggage, collectibles, toys, jewelry, health, beauty products and home goods.

Bruno Maglione, Executive Vice President, IMG Worldwide, said: “We are honored by this expanded role and the trust placed in us by the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour is truly a global brand, and we are excited by the growth prospects of its licensing program. Given IMG’s existing relationship with the PGA Tour on so many fronts, we are thrilled to get started growing the brand globally.”

IMG Licensing Senior Vice President Wesley Haynes, added: “We are very excited to be expanding our approximate eight-year relationship with the PGA TOUR. We have had great success growing the TOUR’s consumer products business within the U.S. marketplace, even through the most recent economic turmoil. The PGA TOUR brand continues to be growing with our licensees, consumers and with our retail partners, so we are excited by this new role.”