Sports

Penn State cuts all licensing ties to Paterno

Penn State will no longer license the name, likeness or image of former coach Joe Paterno.

Decision to sever ties was mutual

Joe Paterno, the Division I leader with 409 career victories, was fired by Penn State school trustees amid criticism that school officials should have done more to respond to allegations of child sex abuse by ex-assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Penn State will no longer license the name, likeness or image of former coach Joe Paterno.

A school spokeswoman said Friday the university sent notices this week to licensees that Paterno's daughter, Mary Kay Hort, will now handle the licensing program for JVP Properties. Penn State previously assisted with licensing. 

Penn State said the decision to sever ties was mutual and referred further questions to Hort. She did not immediately return a call seeking comment. 

School trustees fired Paterno last month in the aftermath of shocking child sex-abuse charges against retired defensive co-ordinator Jerry Sandusky, who maintains his innocence. Paterno isn't a target of the investigation. 

The school says retailers can sell Penn State-Paterno merchandise until supplies run out. Manufacturers have two months to sell or dispose of such products.