8/8/2025
The Palm Beach Post
Aug. 8, 2025, by Nick Pugliese
U.S. Polo Assn. Named No. 1-Ranked Sports Brand by License Global Magazine
U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the Wellington-based United States Polo Association (USPA), is the No. 1 ranked sports brand on License Global magazine’s latest list of Top Global Licensors for 2025.
Recognized as one of the world’s largest sports and apparel licensors, U.S. Polo Assn. remains in the 23rd position overall on the list of high-profile sport brands, which includes brands such as the NFL Players Association, Formula 1, and the PGA Tour. U.S. Polo Assn.’s connection to the sport of polo continues to resonate with younger consumers and sports fans around the world, contributing to its No. 1 sports brand ranking and position within the Top 25 of the Top Global Licensors list for three consecutive years.
The USPA is the largest association of polo clubs and polo players in the United States. Founded in 1890, it is based at the USPA National Polo Center in Wellington. This year, U.S. Polo Assn. is celebrating 135 years alongside the USPA.
The sports brand’s strong ranking was based on delivering a record-breaking $2.5 billion in global retail sales in 2024. U.S. Polo Assn.’s worldwide footprint includes over 190 countries in more than 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. stores, thousands of additional retail locations, more than 12 million social media followers, and over 50 e-commerce sites in 20 languages.
“Earning the No. 1 sports brand ranking while remaining at 23rd on License Global’s Top Licensors list is a powerful validation of our global brand strategy and the tireless work of our USPA Global Team as well as worldwide strategic partners,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global, the company that manages and markets the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “To be ranked alongside some of the most iconic names in sports and fashion reinforces our position as a top-performing global brand with an authentic connection to sport, style, and consumers around the world.”
To be considered for inclusion, each brand or corporate entity must submit retail figures based on worldwide sales of licensed merchandise. In addition, License Global’s editors do their own independent vetting and verification by consulting industry sources, annual reports, and financial documents.
The world’s largest brand remains The Walt Disney Company at $62 billion in retail sales, with the fourth largest brand, NBC Universal, at $17 billion, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the sixth largest brand, at $15 billion.
The Top 25 Global Licensors of 2025 by LicenseGlobal.com
1. The Walt Disney Company - $62B (E)
2. Authentic Brands Group - $32B (E)
3. People Inc. (formerly Dotdash Meredith) - $26.7B (E)
4. NBCUniversal - $17B (E)
5. Hasbro - $16.1B (E)
6. Warner Bros. Discovery - $15B
7. The Pokémon Company International - $12B
8. Bluestar Alliance - $10B (E)
9. Mattel - $8.8B (E)
10. Sanrio - $8.4
11. WHP Global - $7.8B
12. Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences - $7B
13. TOEI Animation - $7B
14. The Electrolux Group - $5.1B
15. Procter & Gamble - $4.5B
16. Whirlpool Corporation - $3.7B
17. BBC Studio - $3.6B
18. Wildbrain - $3.5B
19. Serta Simmons Bedding - $3.2B
20. Stanley Black & Decker - $3.1B
21. Caterpillar - $3B
22. Bandai Namco Group - $2.9B
23. U.S. Polo Assn. (USPA Global) - $2.5B
24. NFL Players Inc. - $2.5B
25. Rainbow - $2B