USA TODAY’s Jack McKessy noted Kristin Juszczyk, the designer of Taylor Swift's "viral, custom-made puffer jacket," has “reached a licensing deal with the NFL.” The new deal will allow Juszczyk, who is married to 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk, to “use official NFL logos on her future designs.” Financial terms of the deal “have not been released.” Juszczyk's work “first went viral when Swift wore a jacket inspired by boyfriend” and Chiefs TE Travis Kelce's jersey to the team's first Wild Card game against the Dolphins. Sportico first reported the deal (USA TODAY, 1/30).
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the cover athlete for "MLB The Show 24," is "following in the footsteps of his father," Baseball HOFer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. The elder Guerrero was on the cover of "MLB 2006," the "last edition before the franchise was rebranded." Guerrero Jr. was the "Canadian cover athlete for the 2020 edition of the now-discontinued RBI Baseball video game" (CP, 1/30).
IMAGE AND LIKENESS: In N.Y., Nicole Sperling reported WME has partnered with technology firm Vermillio to "protect its clients from having their likenesses misused through artificial intelligence technology.” Vermillio's Trace ID platform uses A.I. technology to “track images.” The use of A.I. and how to protect these assets was a “major point of contention in last year’s actors strike.” The partnership also will “look for ways to use the technology to allow clients to monetize their likeness and image themselves" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/30).
