UMG Inks Global Licensing Deal with ClicknClear

It’s been a busy week for music rights-tech platform ClicknClear. After frantically working to clear the rights for Olympic ice skater Tomas Guarino to use songs from Minions as part of his routine, it has now signed a global licensing deal with Universal Music Group (UMG).

Why it matters:

• The deal enables athletes to license music from UMG’s repertoire for choreographed routines in sports such as gymnastics, figure skating, artistic swimming, dance, dressage, and jump rope, among others.

• Until now, says the company, there has been no online platform offering athletes the ability to obtain the rights required to use music in choreographed routines.

• It says more than 150 million athletes participate in choreographed sports globally, presenting a multi-billion dollar opportunity.

• UMG joins Warner Music Group, Believe, BMG and Concord in the ClicknClear roster.

What they said:

• Chantal Epp, Founder and CEO, ClicknClear: “This deal marks further progress in our mission to bridge the gap between the music industry and choreographed sports, including figure skating, gymnastics, artistic swimming, and jump rope. We have seen first-hand the demand from athletes for access to UMG’s catalog, which contains some of the world’s most iconic music, and I have no doubt this news will be welcomed. At the same time, the deal provides significant new monetization opportunities for UMG’s artists who can now benefit from this growing global opportunity.”