No matter what, Kentucky fans turn out in droves to buy the latest Wildcat-related gear. UK ranks among the top schools nationally in merchandising royalties annually, but took even another step forward in 2011-12.Buoyed by men’s basketball’s eighth national championship, UK’s royalties grew by 40 percent, moving the school to No. 3 from No. 7 nationally according to the College Licensing Co. (CLC), a division of IMG Worldwide.UK earned $6.73 million in the 12 months ended June 30, up from $4.80 million, trailing only Texas and Alabama among schools licensed by CLC. The athletic department manages the licensing program and annually splits income half and half with the university.Bloomberg Businessweek has the story, complete with quotes from UK senior associate athletic director for corporate and university relations Jason Schlafer.