I want to have two DrawableGameComponents one drawing the map and one drawing the players backpack.

Is there a way I can load one set of sprites and have them both reference the same data or do I have to load two copys of Texture2D one in each Component?

Ok, I've left it all day, but I now feel I have to question your *Answer*, but I do love the Tile Map Engine Videos...

The question was, do I have to have two copys of the texture, one loaded into each component, or is there a way to get access to Texture2D objects in a central location?

Edited to stop me looking so stupid.

Actually his answer was good... since the content reference you use in both components is the same one calling .Load<> on them will not actually create 2 copies of the texture it will reuse the data from the 1st one that loaded it. The content manager handles all of this for you automatically.