Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Famer, Collegiate Licensing Pioneer Bill Battle Passes Away

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Marty Maciaszek, Director of Communications and Team Dealer Division
mmaciaszek@nsga.org
(847) 296-6742, ext. 1260

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (December 2, 2024) – Bill Battle translated his success on the football field as a player and coach into a game-changing impact in the licensing of collegiate products. Battle’s legacy led to his induction into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 2016 and NSGA was saddened to hear about Battle’s passing on November 27 after a battle with cancer. Battle was 82.

In 1981, Battle signed his former coach, the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant of Alabama to a licensing agreement. Battle also had to help Alabama create a licensing department, which led to his founding of Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) and what became a multi-billion dollar industry for collegiate licensing.

“Mr. Battle had a remarkable life where he impacted so many people as an athlete, coach, athletic director and businessman,” said Matt Carlson, NSGA President & CEO. “He was a visionary in the sporting goods industry in the way he successfully brought schools, retailers and licensees together for everyone’s benefit. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Battle’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Battle used a model similar to the NFL and went door-to-door convincing administrators of a vision where all trademarks were regulated and available in one place. Battle developed the first label that signified “officially licensed collegiate products” and under his leadership the CLC grew to represent more than 200 schools, conferences and bowl games, and NASCAR and the PGA Tour. He served as President and CEO of CLC until 2002 and it was acquired by IMG (International Management Group) in 2007.

Battle returned to Alabama in 2013 to serve as the school’s athletic director for four years after the death of former teammate Mal Moore. After his tenure as athletic director ended, he became a special assistant to Alabama President Dr. Stuart R. Bell on initiatives benefitting the school and athletic programs.

“Bill Battle was first class in every way,” former Alabama coach Nick Saban said in a statement released by the school’s athletic department. “He represented The University of Alabama with tremendous character and integrity. He was an outstanding football player at Alabama, a successful collegiate head coach and visionary who revolutionized the business of college athletics.”

Battle, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, was a three-year starter at tight end and defensive end for the Crimson Tide from 1960-62. The 1961 team won the first of six national titles during Bear Bryant’s leadership.

Battle started his coaching career as a graduate assistant under legendary Oklahoma coach Bud Wilkinson. He became the youngest college football head coach in the country in 1970 at 29 when he took over the program at Tennessee. The Volunteers went 59-22-2 with four bowl-game victories in his seven-year tenure and Condredge Holloway became the first black starting quarterback in the history of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 1972.

In addition to the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame, Battle was honored with induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (1981), the National Collegiate Licensing Association Hall of Fame (2000), the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association Hall of Fame (2008), the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators Hall of Fame (2010), the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (2011) and the Alabama Business Hall of Fame (2017).

Battle was preceded in death by his parents William and Kathleen. He is survived by his wife Mary, his sister Jean, his children Pat, Mike, Shannon and Kayla, 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, December 5 at Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road, Mountain Brook, Alabama, 35213. The family will receive friends at the church after the service and private interment will be at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, UAB’s Department of Rheumatology or a charity of your choice.

About the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame

NSGA created the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 1955 to honor sporting goods pioneers, innovators and leaders, while recognizing and encouraging continued excellence in the industry. Since the first induction in 1956, 185 men and women have been inducted. For more information on the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame, please visit https://www.nsga.org/hall-of-fame/.

About the National Sporting Goods Association

Since 1929, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has been the leading voice and go-to resource for the sporting goods industry. NSGA helps the industry grow its businesses through research, advocacy and networking. For more information about membership or NSGA’s products and services, please visit www.nsga.org.