333D nets merchandise license deal ahead of World Cup in June

The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has signed a new licensee ahead of the World Cup in the form of Melbourne-based 3D-printing company 333D (ASX: T3D).

The deal supplements and mirrors 333D’s existing agreement with Cricket Australia signed last December.

The sponsorship deal allows 333D to become the FFA’s official licensee, which means 333D will manufacture, distribute and market 3D-printed Socceroos’ merchandise and memorabilia such as player figurines until at least June 2019.

The license grants 333D permission to use FFA brands, along with those of the Hyundai A-League and the Australian National Men’s and Women’s football teams.

Very importantly, the sponsorship period covers the most highly-regarded competition in world football: the FIFA World Cup which will be held in Russia in June.

Australia qualified for the tournament through two narrow playoff victories against Syria and Honduras last year, attracting large audiences in both Australia and overseas.

As a showpiece global event, the World Cup attracts live audiences of more than 1 billion and typically boosts merchandise sales for all represented teams.

In addition to the potential bonanza of next year’s World Cup, 333D is also developing a dedicated range of 3D-printed player figurines specifically for Australian customers.

333D says that the FFA’s brands and players “will be incorporated into the company’s Mini League range of 3D-printed player figurines and made available for the creation of bespoke bobblehead figurines via 333D’s ‘Bobbled’ brand,” available at Bobbled.com.

Having been confirmed as the FFA’s official licensee, 333D plans to add official FFA-branded merchandise to its growing catalog, thereby growing its potential addressable audience and extending its sales potential.

333D already has a menu of more than 100 different offerings that also include officially licensed AFL footy players and Cricket Australia cricketers.