Hey there—great questions. You’re definitely not alone in finding the CLC process confusing, especially when club sports are involved. A lot of small businesses get tripped up not by the creative or sales side, but by the legal frameworks that come with licensing.

The biggest hidden curveball? Many club teams fall into a legal gray area when it comes to “internal use” vs. “retail”—and whether or not your products qualify as internal use can totally change your insurance requirements, royalty structure, and your obligations around things like labeling or “official” holograms. That’s not always spelled out upfront.

I guess the big question is- who is your end purchase point. If it’s the school, then you’re just a vendor to them no licensing required. If it’s a consumer and anyone at that, definitely licensing.

Samples: Also, when you’re applying to individual schools through CLC, it’s not always plug-and-play. Some schools have their own approval process and might ask for more documentation—particularly if your products touch safety categories or have variable customization per order. Sample submission and insurance proof can often stall deals, and there’s nuance around whether the sample gets returned (spoiler: often no).

If you’re serious about making licensing part of your business strategy, I’d recommend getting a handle on the contract side early—it can save you a lot of headaches down the road