More than 40 years after his death, Vince Lombardi’s brand is as strong as ever.
Last year, a Broadway play based on his life debuted and ran for more than 200 shows. The NFL has worked with HBO on a film about Lombardi’s life. And framed copies of his “What It Takes To Be No. 1” speech adorn people’s offices around the country.
Similarly, Bear Bryant’s legend lives on almost 30 years after his death.
[+] Enlarge
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty ImagesActors Bill Dawes, Chris Sullivan and Judith Light of "Lombardi" On Broadway.
But given the Jerry Sandusky allegations, we know where it stands now -- cemented with Penn State’s recent announcement that the university will no longer handle licensing Paterno’s name and likeness. Retailers can only sell merchandise that associates Paterno with Penn State until supplies run out, and manufacturers have 60 days to sell or dispose of such products. Mary Kay Hort, Paterno’s daughter, will handle all future licensing for Paterno under JVP Properties.
It’s a necessary end between the school and its former coach, says Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon.
The real loss from the controversy surrounding Paterno comes not for Penn State but for the Paterno family and, eventually, his estate.
Sales of licensed items such as T-shirts, coffee mugs and hats don’t add up to all that much money in the end. But a Lombardi-like book, movie or play does.
“From a branded entertainment perspective, it is the rare brand that would finance or become a major sponsor of an original production about a disgraced sports figure, especially if related to sexual misconduct,” said Frances Page, director of entertainment media for RJ Palmer.
Any future disagreements among family members about future licensing opportunities may lead to unauthorized biographies instead of revenue-producing opportunities, Page says.
Roger Goff, an attorney who has handled life rights deals for movies, says there is generally an initial option fee of anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $75,000. If the option is exercised and a movie goes forward, the license is approximately 1 to 2 percent of the movie’s budget -- sometimes as high as 5 percent. Profits also might be shared -- sometimes 1 to 4 percent.
Gordon Firemark, an attorney who represents artists, writers, producers and directors in film and theater, says for something like a Broadway show an initial fee in the high-five-figure to low-six-figure range would typically be split between the subject or his estate and writers. Once the show begins its run, 5 to 7.5 percent of the box-office royalties would be split between the same parties.
Lynn Guerin, president of Guerin Marketing, worked with John Wooden to create the Wooden Course and other methods to spread Coach Wooden’s legendary Pyramid of Success. The Wooden Course is a classroom-based course on leadership customized for corporate clients. Guerin says a course can run anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars per person to more than $2,000 per person. Mercedes-Benz, Chick-fil-A and General Mills are some companies that have participated.
Of considering the Paterno legacy in a similar fashion, Guerin says: “In his lifetime, he has touched hundreds of young men and people who will forever know and love him because of what he did to help them become the men they’ve become. He’s been a great role model. That’ll never be forgotten. But the public legacy -- I would not be optimistic that someone could take the books written on him and develop this sort of course.”
