State universities have historically benefited greatly by marketing their multi-million dollar sports programs through events, television rights and apparel licensing. However, many of the apparel companies are located out of state and in some cases—out of the country. Ironically, some of hats and T-shirts advertising all-American home teams are being created in foreign sweatshops.
Since 2004, local clothing company Katie-Dids Originals Inc. has been lobbying state universities in Florida for a license to produce logo apparel for Bealls, one of the largest retailers in the state. But each and every time, the company has been turned down.
