Music and athletic performance have been intertwined for decades, but the path to legally licensing music in choreographed sports has often been muddy. Now, a new global agreement between Universal Music Group and rights-tech platform ClicknClear aims to change that. This deal, announced in Milan on February 12, addresses a gap in music licensing that has caused high-profile challenges for athletes at the highest levels of competition, including the Winter Olympics.
Below, we unpack what this means for athletes, artists, rights holders, and the future of music in sport.
Covering the Gap: What the Universal-ClicknClear Deal Entails
Universal Music Group (UMG) and ClicknClear have signed a global licensing agreement that allows athletes in choreographed disciplines to license music from UMG’s catalog for use in performances such as gymnastics, figure skating, artistic swimming, dance, and more. The deal lets athletes secure rights directly through ClicknClear’s platform, which offers licensing and verification tools to help ensure compliance with publishing and copyright requirements.
ClicknClear will provide access not only to UMG’s catalog but also streamline the process of music clearance for athletes and federations, responding to a multi-billion-dollar demand for music in sport that affects more than 150 million athletes worldwide.
“We’re excited for our artists to benefit from this deal which will help them generate new revenue streams and reach new audiences around the world,” said James Healy, senior vice president of digital strategy and business development at Universal Music Group.
Why Sports Music Licensing Matters and Why It’s Been a Problem
Here’s the thing: music rights in competitive sports aren’t straightforward. Athletes have long needed permission not just to perform to a piece of music, but to use it in arenas broadcast around the world. Venues typically secure public performance rights for live audiences, but that doesn’t cover recorded or broadcast usages tied to individual athletes’ routines which can expose performers to legal challenges if rights aren’t properly cleared.
Before 2014, only ice dancers were permitted to use music with lyrics at major events. When the International Skating Union expanded those rules at the Sochi Olympics, it opened the door to modern music in figure skating programs, transforming the sport’s soundscape but also complicating licensing.
A Spotlight on Olympic Controversies
The need for clearer licensing hit home at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Spanish figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté was briefly prevented from using his Minions-themed short program music because of a last-minute rights dispute. Universal Studios initially objected to the use, creating a scramble just days before his competition, until they reversed the decision following widespread fan support online.
Similarly, U.S. skater Amber Glenn faced a music rights challenge when Canadian artist Seb McKinnon, known professionally as CLANN, raised concerns on social media about the use of his song “The Return.” The matter was ultimately resolved amicably, but highlighted how complex and sensitive music licensing can be even at the Olympic level.
“These issues underscore how complex and confusing music rights can be,” Glenn said, acknowledging that the situation had been sorted out and expressing optimism about future collaboration.
What This Deal Could Mean for the Future
What this phrase really points to is a major shift in how sport and music industries interact. For athletes, having access to a clear, global licensing system reduces the risk of last-minute setbacks and opens doors for more creative, expressive routines. For music artists and rights holders, it represents new channels for exposure and revenue that extend far beyond traditional platforms.
ClicknClear’s partnerships with international bodies such as World Gymnastics and the International Skating Union already position it to help standardize licensing, but this expanded deal with UMG could deepen that impact.
Still, some questions remain about how rights will be managed across different broadcasting and commercial contexts, especially for global events like the Olympics. Athletes and federations will need to make music licensing a strategic consideration well before they step onto the competition stage.
Looking Ahead
This agreement isn’t just a licensing contract. It’s a recognition that music is an essential part of choreographed athletic performance and deserves a structured framework that respects artists, rights holders, and athletes alike. For those who compete and those who create the soundtracks to their triumphs, this could be the beginning of a more harmonious future.
