In January of 2020, Steve Scebelo was appointed Interim President of NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association, which is the exclusive source to connect partners and their customers directly with active NFL players, and provides clients with B2B solutions including group player licensing rights, marketing strategy and player engagement. Scebelo has spent more than six years as Vice President, Licensing and Business Development for NFL Players Inc., commanding one of the world’s largest and most powerful licensors, including leading a team responsible for representing the intellectual property for 2,000 active NFL players, plus a roster of more than 75 licensees accountable for $1.7 billion in retail sales across key licensing categories.

As interim president, working from the NFLPA’s Washington D.C. headquarters, Scebelo adds the responsibility of setting the group’s vision and values, while overseeing strategy and operations for the NFLPA’s global commercial business, which has generated six consecutive years of record revenue growth, exceeding $193 million this past fiscal year, and has won three International Licensing Awards for Best Sports Licensing Program, most recently in 2019. He represents NFL Players Inc. on the board of directors of Licensing International, the leading trade organization for the global licensing industry.

Under his stewardship, the NFLPA has become a groundbreaking business-to-business operation, helping NFL players and other athlete groups grow their revenue objectives through marketing and licensing. The NFLPA was named as one of sports’ “Most Innovative Companies” in 2018 by Fast Company. In addition to current NFLPA roles, Scebelo serves as President of REP Worldwide, the first-of-its-kind business that provides group licensing and brand management services to athlete-driven sports properties. Founding partners include the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association and Women’s National Basketball Players Association, and additional clients include the Major League Soccer Players Association, U.S. Rugby Players Association and National College Players Association. Built on the foundation of NFL Players Inc.’s 25 years of continued revenue growth supplementing athletes’ on-field earnings, REP has executed licensing agreements with over 35 companies across multiple product categories. REP Worldwide generated $1 million in royalty revenue, and was profitable in its first full year in business in 2019.

Over his career, Scebelo has increased domestic and international merchandise licensing revenues for world-class brands in the sports, consumer products, and media industries, including directing the $500 million North American retail licensing program for The Coca-Cola Company and extensive work in sports licensing via management positions at the NBA, the 1996 Olympic Games, and Major League Baseball. Prior to joining NFL Players Inc., Scebelo was principal in TM317, a boutique licensing and merchandising agency that served a roster of sports and entertainment properties. He also spent several years as senior vice president of cross-platform marketing at Gemstar-TV Guide, where he led integrated marketing efforts, consumer engagement, social media initiatives and built the TV Guide merchandise licensing program from a start-up to a $50 million endeavor.

Alma mater:
Western Connecticut State University

Current position:
Interim President, NFL Players Inc. (1 mo.);
• V.P., Licensing & Business Development, NFL Players Inc. (6+ years)
• President, REP Worldwide, a subsidiary of NFL Players Inc. (2 years)

Past positions:
Principal, TM317 and Creative Properties
Senior Vice President, TV Guide
Director, Merchandise Services, Coca-Cola
Director, Non-Apparel Licensing, NBA Properties
Program Director, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games
Retail Marketing Manager, Major League Baseball Properties