WASHINGTON, D.C., January 26, 2021 – NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFL Players Association, is proud to announce three newly created executive positions which are designed to provide more value and assistance to NFLPA business partners through its customized agency model. Sean Sansiveri has been named General Counsel & Head of Business Affairs, Sophie Gage assumes the role of Senior Business Counsel, and Terése Whitehead has been named Vice President of Consumer Products & Strategy. NFL Players Inc. connects brands to the power and influence of players through group player rights. Based on their extensive knowledge of the characteristics of more than 2,000 NFL players, the team at NFL Players Inc. help business partners identify best-fit opportunities for brand and marketing campaigns.

As General Counsel & Head of Business Affairs for NFL Players Inc., Sansiveri will pursue new business opportunities in developing markets and industries, and lead negotiations of partnership transactions. He previously served as Corporate Counsel and Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs, NFL Players Inc. In addition, Sansiveri will continue to lead the NFLPA health, safety, and medical research initiatives. Over the last decade, he has developed and implemented numerous protective measures designed to minimize the occupational health risks to NFL players. These include the 2020 COVID-19 protocols, the NFL Concussion Protocols, and a pain management program that includes the first Prescription Drug Registry Program in the history of professional sports. Currently, Sansiveri serves on the board of the American Brain Foundation. During previous stints with NFL Players Inc., Sansiveri negotiated licensing, sponsorship, and investment transactions with partners, including the NFL, Electronic Arts, Fanatics, Panini, Nike, and Whoop. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Villanova School of Law.

Gage has served in several capacities at the NFLPA since 2012, most recently as Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs for NFL Players Inc where she negotiated major transactions with key partners, including the NFL, OneTeam Partners, and Electronic Arts, and oversees the NFLPA’s investment portfolio and brand protection and enforcement strategy. In her capacity as Senior Business Counsel, she will provide oversight of business development efforts, including prioritizing strategy, deal structure and negotiations, as well as delivering expert and authoritative legal counsel across the NFLPA on intellectual property, licensing, technology, general business, venture, and corporate governance matters. A graduate of Catholic University of America and University of Baltimore School of Law, Gage will play a lead role in managing the business relationships with key partners, consultants, and player advisors.

Whitehead will spreadhead strategic player solutions for the NFLPA’s roster of more than 80 licensing partners as Vice President of Consumer Products & Strategy. Through collaboration with the Player Services team, Whitehead will continue to ensure seamless integration and application of group player rights, player marketing, and client service, while developing customized programs and business solutions that benefit players and partners. She will play an integral role in maintaining the NFLPA’s annual global licensing revenue growth while expanding the reach and brands of NFL players globally. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Whitehead’s career spans 20 years in sports and entertainment marketing, branding, and athlete relations and representation. She has worked for the NFLPA since 2016, most recently as Senior Manager of Sponsorship & Operations, Player Services.

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About the NFL Players Association
The National Football League Players Association (“NFLPA”) is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 NFL season.

About NFL Players Inc.
NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses to the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. creates customized business solutions for partners, through licensing, marketing strategy and player activations. For more information, please visit nflpa.com/players.