Dazz
Years ago
The Difference between AFL & NBL Merchandise
Every time something about merchandising or apparel comes up, somebody always says "why don't they do it like the AFL?"
So I thought I should explain why they can't.
In the AFL, the AFL itself owns all the trademarks of the individual clubs. ie The AFL owns the trademarks for Collingwood, Westcoast, etc, etc.
That's why when a club wants to even change a logo or design, they need AFL permission. And its how the AFL was able to block Richmond from applying their brand to an NBL team.
Allegedly, one of the reasons behind this is to prevent the formation of a "super-league" or any form of breakaway. It also makes it far simpler for the AFL to coordinate licensing for apparel and other merchandise.
Whereas in the NBL, the individual owners (or associated entities) own the trademarks.
So its not a question of teams "vetoing" anything, they actually OWN the trademark and you can't use it without their permission.
Now I suppose that at some point in the future the NBL could require a similar arrangement, but they would have to pay compensation (effectively buy the trademarks) and I doubt they could afford that unless LK tips in a LOT more money.
So as its stands, the AFL can license all 18 clubs' trademarks to any merchandiser it chooses, the NBL cannot.
