Category: News

The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced today that it has entered into a 10-year partnership with global premium experiences company Legends to create a best-in-class online shopping experience for fans and at all existing athletics facilities. 

Legends will have the exclusive rights to manage, operate, sell, and distribute all Michigan-licensed merchandise and will operate the ‘Official Team Store,’ which will continue under the MDen name. Legends will use a data and fan-led approach to develop an industry-leading customized merchandise solution for Michigan that will deliver an expanded product assortment and enhanced customer experience for students, alumni, and fans wherever they purchase their U-M gear. In addition to the existing athletics facilities, work is underway to secure a new off-campus retail store location.

“Our partnership with Legends will provide our fans with a fully integrated retail experience both in-venue and online,” said Warde Manuel, U-M’s Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. “Fans will be able to purchase a comprehensive assortment of licensed products from a best-in-class retail partner that focuses on a holistic customer experience. We are excited to begin this new venture with Legends.”

“Legends is honored to partner with U-M to deliver their passionate fans an enhanced, seamless shopping experience. Our team will work alongside U-M to maximize fan expression and the University’s powerful brand affinity through compelling products and premium experiences,” said Kirta Carroll, President, Legends Global Merchandise. 

Added Mike Behan, President, Legends College: “Innovative universities like U-M are thinking differently about generating revenue in the new collegiate landscape. Legends’ expertise in creating customized solutions focused on the fan experience and monetization for premier athletic departments makes this a perfect fit.” 

Michigan and Legends’ partnership expands beyond merchandise and includes Legends research arm CSL executing a premium experiences study for Michigan Stadium. 

Legends’ fully integrated retail and merchandising vertical solution works with world-class clients around the globe. This includes vast experience developing and operating eCommerce and retail experiences for some of the world’s largest sporting events and organizations: Super Bowl, Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, PGA Championship, College Football Playoff, Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, Real Madrid and a growing roster of NCAA partnerships, including Indiana University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Ohio State University, Purdue University, and Villanova University.

Legends today announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of ASM Global. The combination of Legends and ASM Global creates the world’s preeminent premium live events company dedicated to providing fans with outstanding experiences globally.

When a brand or venue wants to enhance the fan experience and increase monetization, they will turn to the combined Legends and ASM Global. Together, the companies provide a data-driven, customizable solution across all areas of venue operations and revenue generation focused on delivering exceptional fan and guest experiences in the sports, entertainment, attractions, conventions, and leisure industries. The Legends solution now includes world-class venue planning, development, and management; content and event booking; partnerships and premium ticketing; and merchandise and hospitality services.

“The next era of Legends starts now,” said Dan Levy, CEO of Legends. “Over the course of 15 years, we have developed an unmatched solution to deliver a superior fan experience and help our partners grow. We are proud to add ASM Global to deliver even better experiences and value for our global partners, setting the standard in sports and entertainment.”

Ron Bension, ASM Global President and CEO, said, “One of our ASM Global mantras for a number of years has been ‘the future is now.’ By joining Legends, that future has not only arrived, but it couldn’t be brighter. The opportunities created by our companies’ collective capabilities will elevate not only the success of our partners, clients, and projects worldwide, but the industry as a whole.”

Founded in 2008, Legends has grown organically and through acquisition from a hospitality business to a holistic, industry-leading service provider working with the most iconic and innovative brands in sports and entertainment. Legends’ expanded geographic reach will now support partners across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North and South America – providing the benefits of global scale with unparalleled local expertise. For the time being, ASM Global will continue to operate under its name.

Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm with more than $75 billion in assets under management, is the majority investor in Legends in partnership with YGE Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of the New York Yankees, and Jones Concessions LP, a Jerry Jones family company. As part of the transaction, previous ASM Global equity holders Onex and AEG have sold their full ownership interests.

Moelis & Company LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. served as financial advisors to Legends, and Ropes & Gray LLP and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP served as its legal counsel. Goldman Sachs and Jefferies served as financial advisors to ASM Global, and Latham & Watkins LLP, Hogan Lovells, and Arnold & Porter served as its legal counsel. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal counsel to YGE Holdings, LLC and Jones Concessions LP.

Merchandise Revenue and Per Caps Doubled Previous Year

The 2024 Cincinnati Open achieved record-breaking retail sales in the first year under operations by global premium experiences company Legends. The 2024 tournament, which ran from August 11-19 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, saw merchandise revenue and per caps double the previous year and mark a tournament record. Tournament attendees experienced a completely overhauled on-site retail store and shopping experience this year with new and expanded product offerings that drove excitement amongst tennis fans in attendance.   

“Introducing a new name and logo in 2024 necessitated a new merchandise experience, and the response we saw from fans as a result of our partnership with Legends far exceeded expectations,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports and Entertainment. “The volume of fans wearing the new Cincinnati Open gear and the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received were key factors to the success of this year’s tournament and are indicative of the opportunities that lie ahead.”

“The energy around the 2024 Cincinnati Open was electric. Our team met the moment, creating an on-site shopping experience that aligned with the excitement on the courts while providing the best service to every customer that walked through the door,” said Kirta Carroll, President, Legends Global Merchandise. “We are thrilled with the attendees’ response and excited to work in partnership with the Cincinnati Open team to continue enhancing our offerings and the shopping experience for next year and beyond.” 

For the 2024 tournament, Legends constructed an expansive retail shop spanning 11,000 square feet featuring the largest collection of Cincinnati Open and tennis merchandise in the history of the tournament. Over 850 items from more than 30 brands and vendors, including new offerings from FILA, Tasc, Straight Down, Garb and Yeti, were available for fans of all ages. The top-selling items were oversized tennis balls, headwear and the official 2024 Cincinnati Open on-court player towel. Legends is the official on-site merchandise provider for the Cincinnati Open.

Click the following link to view photos of the 2024 Cincinnati Open Shop.

Legends’ fully integrated retail and merchandising vertical solution works with world-class clients around the globe across eCommerce, in-venue retail, large-scale live event, brick-and-mortar store operations, licensing and customer merchandise. This includes vast experience developing and operating on-site retail at some of the world’s largest sporting events and premier venues including the Super Bowl, PGA Championship, Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, SoFi Stadium, Yankee Stadium and more.

Le Moyne College has entered into a five-year agreement with Legends to raise $40 million to support the upcoming renovation of the Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex. Le Moyne graduate Mike Behan ’05 serves as president of Legend’s College Division, which provides leading collegiate organizations and events with an industry-leading comprehensive service solution. 

“This partnership will benefit the entire campus community,” said Le Moyne President Linda LeMura. “The planned renovations to the Niland complex will add to and upgrade our fields, fitness and wellness facilities used by students, faculty and staff, as well as those living in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Working with Legends will allow our advancement and innovation team to continue to focus on academics and other key areas of fundraising.” 

Legends, a global premium experiences company, launched its philanthropy practice in 2017 and has built a successful fundraising track record, including work with the University of Notre Dame, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Southern California, Villanova University, and the Rose Bowl, among many others. All told, the company has assisted in maximizing revenue associated with more than $2 billion in new and renovated facility projects. The company’s IQ division provides the business intelligence driving and informing its work.

“I’m excited that we are bringing in a global leader to help us achieve our goals in the athletics, fitness and wellness areas,“ said Jim Joseph ’83, Ed.D. ’23, vice president for advancement and innovation and dean of the Madden College of Business and Economics. “Working seamlessly as one team, advancement and innovation and Legends will also procure resources for athletic scholarships and other athletic-focused endowment funds.”

In addition to working on gifts to fund the immediate athletics needs, Legends approach is to develop a sustainable fundraising model to provide for annual gifts going forward, building a culture of athletic philanthropy that will develop a pipeline for major gifts in the future.  

“It brings me great pride that Legends has the privilege to partner with Le Moyne, my alma mater,” said Behan. “This is a transformative time for Le Moyne given its recent move to Division I. We look forward to supporting the College in reaching new heights!”

Florida State University Athletics and Legends, a global premium experiences company, announced today a new 10-year multimedia rights partnership

This agreement expands the relationship between FSU Athletics and Legends. Legends also currently supports premium seating for the $260 million renovation of Doak Campbell Stadium and manages hospitality, including concessions, premium suites and clubs, and catering for FSU Athletics.

“This partnership between Legends and Florida State Athletics creates a dynamic collaboration between like-minded organizations at a time when the importance of alignment has never been greater,” said Michael Alford, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Florida State. “Together we can capitalize on a limitless array of new opportunities for revenue streams while also maximizing our potential in established avenues as well. This will enable us to meet the growing needs of our student-athletes while also maintaining financial stability for the services we provide in areas of fan engagement and experience.”

Legends brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the partnership, having established itself as a trusted partner for numerous marquee institutions that are leveraging the company’s best-in-class expertise in revenue generation and premium experiences.

“Florida State University is a forward-thinking institution that understands the importance of aligning revenue streams to position for success in the new collegiate landscape,” said Mike Behan, President of Legends College. “The recent NCAA settlement has further emphasized the need for universities to explore innovative ways to optimize their commercial potential. Legends is proud that FSU has entrusted our team to build on our partnership to capitalize on this opportunity and further solidify its position as a trailblazer in collegiate sports.”

As part of the partnership, Legends will collaborate closely with Florida State Athletics to enhance multimedia rights, including broadcasting, licensing, and sponsorship opportunities. The company has formed Florida State Global Partnerships and will build a resolute staff that will be integrated with the FSU Athletics team to drive success for the multifaceted partnership.

This is the latest partnership for Legends burgeoning college business, which includes multimedia rights partnerships with the University of Notre Dame, the University of Miami, and Georgia Tech. Legends provides leading universities, collegiate organizations, and events with an industry-leading, comprehensive service solution covering research, project development, premium ticket sales, sponsorships, food and beverage, merchandise, business intelligence, marketing, and philanthropic fundraising and engagement.

Physical and Digital Channels: Legends, a global premium experiences company, will handle the sales of official merchandise for CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™.

Merchandise Available: Fans can purchase official merchandise including jerseys, scarves, hats, flags, pennants, pins, and other items with the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ branding.

The 48th edition of the world’s oldest and most exciting national team tournament will feature an official store where football fans can purchase exclusive competition products. Fans of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ will be able to buy jerseys, scarves, hats, flags, pennants, pins, and other items in all of the 14 host cities in the United States, as well as online at https://store.copaamerica.com/.

“The CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™ will be an unprecedented event for the Confederation. We want all fans to experience and feel the grandeur of South American football, and this collaboration with Legends will bring us closer to that goal, as everyone interested can purchase exclusive tournament-branded products both physically and digitally,” said Alejandro Domínguez, President of CONMEBOL.

“We are very excited to partner with CONMEBOL and serve as the official merchandise provider for the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™. Our team is designing and producing a wide range of exclusive apparel and novelty items for fans at each match and for those watching globally to commemorate this incredible event,” mentioned Kirta Carroll, President of Legends Global Merchandise.

The ALUM Brand will feature Luxury Residences and Member’s Clubs Designed to Elevate the College Town Experience

New real estate brand to deliver high-end hospitality, in partnership with premium experiences company Legends, to college towns with a strong sports culture

LAUNCHING TODAY — ALUM is an elevated stomping ground for discerning alumni. A reimagined home base away from home, the luxury residences and exclusive member’s club is a celebration of school spirit, built as a refined evolution of college town accommodation. With thoughtfully designed hospitality, private residences, and fan-focused programming, ALUM strengthens community ties to renowned institutions with legendary fan and alumni culture

A real estate brand focused on college town markets, ALUM redefines home game stays, offering owners world-class residences, award-winning food and beverage, a private club for socializing, and the option to have their properties expertly managed, maintained, and rented nightly when not in use. ALUM has partnered with global premium experiences company Legends, which has extensive experience in collegiate athletics and provides hospitality at some of the most well-known venues in the world. The partnership with Legends allows ALUM to tap into Legends’ strong relationships with university and athletic leadership and their industry-leading experience in assisting colleges and universities with identifying incremental revenue opportunities.

David Vialli, Co-Founder of ALUM, says,

“College towns are special places that hold immeasurable value in our hearts, and countless people travel to these cities every year for sports games and other events. ALUM was founded to celebrate these unique destinations and foster a deeper sense of camaraderie within them. We’re hopeful that ALUM will become a beloved institution embraced and enjoyed by the community, whether they’re alumni, faculty, students, family members, or visitors.”

Catered to alumni and parents of students and athletes who frequently visit, ALUM meets the increasing demand for luxury accommodation and enriched lifestyles often missing from college town experiences. Each ALUM will offer apartments with flexible layouts, site-specific architecture, and elevated design, combining state-of-the-art amenities and five-star service with the comforts of a private residence.

Additionally, ALUM will launch a short-term rental program, allowing owners to rent their condominiums when they are not occupied. From seamless online booking and check-in to housekeeping and maintenance, ALUM will oversee the entire process, ensuring owners peace of mind while earning additional income.

Legends will operate a year-round private member’s club and restaurant at each ALUM location and develop and execute a fundraising strategy to activate the local community. Legends will also provide market feasibility studies to identify new markets and support ALUM’s strategic expansion.

Mike Behan, President, Legends College, says,

“There is a white space in college markets for contemporary and flexible living solutions. ALUM answers to a growing segment of sophisticated consumers who want the best in hospitality, no matter where they are. We are excited to partner with ALUM to deliver an exceptional private membership and dining experience at each location that brings people together around their shared passion for the local university. This partnership is a natural extension of Legends’ focus for the past decade-plus on introducing new premium experiences across college campuses.”

ALUM will break ground this summer with its inaugural building in Tuscaloosa, Alabama home to The University of Alabama’s legendary sports teams. Expected to open in early 2026, the project will include luxury private residences, a private member’s club, award-winning food and drink, a coffee shop, meeting spaces, a pool, and event space. ALUM has plans to launch in additional markets, including:

Eugene, Oregon
College Station, Texas
Columbia, South Carolina
Knoxville, Tennessee
Columbus, Ohio
Athens, Georgia
Auburn, Alabama
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Norman, Oklahoma

In addition to these cities, Legends will support the exploration of future markets for ALUM throughout the United States. For more news on ALUM, including updates on sales launches and the development pipeline, please visit ALUMclubs.com.

Legends Operated Eight Retail Locations in Detroit Including a 5,115 Sq. Ft. Shop 

The NFL Shop presented by Visa at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit proved to be the ultimate destination for fans during the week of the Draft. Legends, the official on-site retail merchandise concessionaire for the 2024 NFL Draft, announced a dramatic increase in merchandise sales for the Draft with a 45% overall revenue bump from 2023 in Kansas City. 

New in 2024, Legends rented a 5,115 square foot pop-up storefront in the heart of the Draft activities (Woodward Avenue, Detroit MI) to serve as the main NFL Shop presented by Visa. The store, which accounted for half of the merchandise sales for the week, was open for a full week – Friday, April 19 through Saturday, April 27 – to give fans lots of time to pick up their favorite team gear.  

In addition to the main NFL Shop, there were seven more NFL Shop pop-up shops – six within the NFL Draft Experience footprint and one location at the Draft. The Shops offered the largest collection of NFL Draft merchandise available anywhere, featuring products from 23 different licensees, including apparel, headwear, mini helmets, and pennants from all 32 NFL teams as well as exclusive Draft x Detroit Lions product. 

Merchandise centered around the hometown and home team were the biggest sellers, including Detroit and state of Michigan-themed t-shirts, hats, and novelties, as well as the Detroit Lions new look jersey (launched the week before the Draft) and hats. A Legends-designed and produced t-shirt featuring all 32 NFL teams’ unique NFL Draft logos was another hot item, as well as the Lions Draft logo tee and novelties. Special collection products included exclusive 47 Brand Draft Hats, Hugo Boss Draft and team branded merchandise, limited edition G-III Detroit Lions Varsity Jacket, and Rock ‘Em Socks Detroit-themed 3-pk of socks. 

The NFL Shop presented by Visa at the NFL Draft is managed by Legends, the NFL’s official on-site retail merchandise concessionaire for the 2024 NFL Draft. Legends also manage on-site retail at NFL tent pole events, including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl Games, NFL Draft, and NFL Combine.

New York City FC today announced it has selected global premium experiences company Legends to manage all sales efforts for suites and premium seating for its new stadium being constructed at Willets Point in Queens, New York.

From now through the stadium’s opening in 2027, Legends will provide the Club with strategic consulting and go-to-market analysis, product design and development consultation, strategy and execution for premium and suite sales, initial valuation work, and valuable marketplace insights. Additionally, Legends will hire and build a dedicated team for New York City FC based in New York to focus on all sales and service execution.

“Our goal is to build and create the best stadium and fan experience in all of Major League Soccer, and we’re confident that Legends’ unmatched expertise in this space will help us accomplish this objective,” said Brad Sims, New York City FC CEO. “We’re excited to bring them on board as we work to build New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium.”

“Our team is excited for this incredible opportunity to combine our deep knowledge in the New York market and experience in global football to bring New York City FC’s vision to life in their new stadium,” said Mike Ondrejko, President, Legends Global Sales. “It is a privilege to work alongside Brad and his team at New York City FC to imagine the possibilities in the first-ever soccer-specific stadium in New York City and serve their supporters by delivering a best-in-class experience.”

Earlier this month, the New York City Council voted overwhelmingly to approve the next phase of the Willets Point Redevelopment project, including New York City FC’s stadium. The new stadium will be 100% privately financed, seat approximately 25,000 people, and be the first fully electric sports stadium in New York City and all Major League Soccer.

New York City FC’s stadium will also be part of a new, 23-acre neighborhood at Willets Point, Queens developed by Queens Development Group — a joint venture of Related Companies and Sterling Equities. The neighborhood will be anchored by 2,500 new 100% affordable housing units, a new 650-seat public school, a brand-new hotel, and more than 150,000 square feet of public open space.

The Willets Point redevelopment project is estimated to generate $6.1 billion in economic activity, create 1,550 permanent jobs, and 14,200 construction jobs. To learn more about the project, visit newyorkcityfc.com/stadium.

The United Football League (UFL) today announced that Legends, a global premium experiences company and leading provider of innovative merchandise solutions, will serve as the Official Event and eCommerce Partner of the UFL.

Under this partnership, Legends’ Global Merchandise division will oversee event merchandise sales, including in-stadium shopping experiences for fans attending UFL events and eCommerce operations, including the League’s online retail platform, shop.theufl.com.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Legends as our exclusive event and eCommerce partner,” said Ryan Segers, Vice President of Consumer Products at the UFL. “Their proven track record of delivering high-quality merchandise and creating engaging fan experiences aligns perfectly with our vision for the UFL. Together, we aim to elevate the fan experience both online and in-person, setting a new standard for excellence in sports merchandise.”

Legends brings extensive experience in the sports and entertainment industry, specializing in creating unique merchandise programs that resonate with fans across the globe. Their expertise in eCommerce and event merchandise operations will be vital in enhancing the UFL fan experience and driving revenue growth for both parties.

The partnership between Legends and UFL will also see the company design and produce merchandise for the League.

“We are excited to partner with UFL to offer fans of all ages comprehensive merchandise offerings to sport their fandom and celebrate their favorite teams,” said Kirta Carroll, President, Legends Global Merchandise. “In addition to handling the league’s omnichannel merchandise, we are looking forward to partnering with the UFL to design and produce exclusive products for fans as a licensee partner.”

Click here for the 2024 schedule and broadcast details.

The Athletics and Legends today announced a partnership in which the global premium experiences company will manage premium seating and ticket sales for the Club’s new ballpark in Las Vegas. 

“We are excited to embark on this long-term partnership that will lead to the opening of our transformational ballpark in Las Vegas,” said A’s president Dave Kaval. “Legends’ extensive industry experience and intricate knowledge of the local market will help us create products that meet the needs of our fans while building a successful ballpark experience.”

Legends will deliver strategic consulting and go-to-market analysis, product design and development consultation, strategy and execution for premium and suite sales, initial valuation work, staffing, and valuable marketplace insights. Additionally, Legends will build a dedicated team for the A’s based in Las Vegas to focus on sales execution. 

“We are honored for the opportunity to partner with the A’s and help bring their bold vision of delivering a first-class hospitality experience to their fans and the Las Vegas community,” said Mike Ondrejko, President of Legends Global Sales. “From the moment we started working with Dave and his team on our initial feasibility study, there has been alignment in our data-driven approach in optimizing design and marketing strategy. We are excited to build on this collaboration by applying our global experience and expertise to serve the A’s on the sales execution of their new stadium.”  

The A’s initially engaged Legends in 2021 through its research arm, CSL, to conduct a comprehensive study on the opportunity for the Club to establish a new permanent home in Las Vegas. Legends’ Global Sales team has extensive experience partnering on the most ambitious sports projects, including the opening of Allegiant Stadium, SoFi Stadium, and Notre Dame Stadium, to deliver record-breaking results. Legends is also currently partnered with FC Barcelona, San Diego FC, and the Buffalo Bills in developing the financial model, stadium design, data capture and analysis, and strategic planning to support the sales execution efforts of their respective stadium development projects.