College sports’ top two multimedia and sponsorship holders – IMG College and Learfield – are on the cusp of a merger that would see the two entities lock in a 50/50 partnership that combines IMG College’s roster of nearly 90 universities and conferences with Learfield’s 130+ collegiate partners, according to Forbes and SBJ. IMG College Licensing also represents the trademark licensing and consumer product rights for some 200 schools, conferences and bowl games. The blended organization would subsequently represent more than 70% of Division I universities, including 85% of the Power 5 member schools. It is expected that Learfield’s current president and CEO, Greg Brown, would become head of the newly combined entity, although details of the framework are still being negotiated, according to the reports.
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