Varsity Brands

Varsity Brands

Operates cheerleading camps, apparel, and competitions

Overview

Varsity Brands coordinates the school experience through three main areas: cheerleading camps, uniforms and apparel, and national cheerleading and student-sport competitions. Camps train cheer squads, uniforms are sold to schools, and competitions are organized and often televised, linking training, gear, and events. It differs from competitors by offering an integrated suite—training, equipment, apparel, and events—supported by its distribution network and educational publishing partners. The goal is to be the leading partner for student activity programs in schools, providing comprehensive services, gear, and events on a national scale.

Significant Headcount Growth

About Varsity Brands

Simplify's Rating
Why Varsity Brands is rated
B
Rated A on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Industrial & Manufacturing

Education

Consumer Goods

Entertainment

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$4.8B

Headquarters

Memphis, Tennessee

Founded

1974

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Satish Mehta's 2026 appointment scales Chewy-like e-commerce and AI platforms.
  • NCA/NDA Championship locked in Daytona Beach through 2030 for steady revenue.
  • Patricof Co's 2025 investment brings 45 athletes like Livvy Dunne for endorsements.

What critics are saying

  • DOJ antitrust suit forces divestitures of rivals in 12-24 months.
  • KKR's $4.75B debt exceeds $300M yearly payments amid declining participation.
  • Herff Jones 2023 sale precedes BSN Sports spin-off in 12-18 months.

What makes Varsity Brands unique

  • Varsity Brands dominates 90% cheerleading market via camps, apparel, and competitions.
  • BSN Sports leads U.S. team sports equipment distribution since 1972 merger.
  • Acquired Soccer.com and Lax.com to expand into niche athletic equipment.

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Funding

Total Funding

$4.8B

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Buyout funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Buyout Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

46%

1 year growth

46%

2 year growth

43%
PMC
Apr 1st, 2026
KKR-Backed Varsity Brands to Buy Soccer.com and Lax.com

Varsity Brands is making its first acquisitions since its sale to KKR for $4.5 billion in 2024.

Dallas Innovates
Feb 17th, 2026
Varsity Brands Names Former Chewy Exec as Chief Technology & Product Officer

Varsity Brands Names former Chewy exec as Chief Technology & Product Officer. Satish Mehta will oversee Varsity Brands' product and technology strategies, building digital platforms, data-driven experiences, and secure systems. The Farmers Branch-based company was acquired for $4.75 billion in 2024 by ny-based KKR. Varsity Brands Chief Technology & Product Officer Satish Mehta [Photo: Varsity Brands] Farmers Branch-based Varsity Brands, a leading provider of team sport and spirit solutions through its divisions BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit, has appointed Satish Mehta to the newly created role of chief technology and product officer. The new role is a key one given the company's value and impact: In 2024, Varsity Brands was acquired by New York-based global investment firm KKR in a reported $4.75 billion deal. Mehta will oversee Varsity Brands' product and technology strategies, building digital platforms, data-driven experiences, and secure systems designed to grow with the enterprise, the company said. His teams will concentrate on delivering intuitive, high-impact products that simplify how teams, coaches, athletes, and employees utilize a wide range of technology-driven offerings. "Throughout his career, Satish has shown he knows how to build and scale category-defining platforms in complex, high-growth environments," CEO Adam Blumenfeld said in a statement. "As Varsity Brands enters its next phase of innovation, his ability to unite digital vision, technology execution, and business strategy will accelerate how we deliver smarter, more connected solutions for our current and future customers." Designing tech for fast growth. Mehta has spent more than 20 years leading large-scale technology, data, and digital transformation initiatives across global consumer and B2B organizations. Most recently, he served as chief technology officer at Chewy, where he helped build the company from a fast-growing startup into a multi-billion-dollar, industry-leading e-commerce platform. During his tenure, Mehta led an impactful transformation of Chewy's technology architecture, expanded engineering and data teams, and advanced capabilities across cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems, Varsity Brands said. Previously, Mehta held senior technology leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group, Staples, and Yahoo!, where he drove enterprise-wide data, analytics, and digital initiatives. He also brings public company board experience, having served on the board of directors of Express, Inc., where he supported technology strategy, governance, and organizational transformation. "I've seen firsthand the power of aligning technology with customer needs and Varsity Brands is at a very exciting inflection point as a company," Mehta said. "By building modern, connected platforms, we can elevate the experience for schools, athletes, and communities while creating a foundation for long-term innovation." "Adam, his leadership team, and the IT and innovation functions have built something special, and I'm excited to help shape what's next as the company continues to evolve and grow," Mehta added. Varsity Brands is a top platform for a comprehensive range of services and solutions across team and club sports, cheer, dance, performing arts, and yearbook. As a holistic services provider to athletic programs and schools, the company said it delivers highly customized uniforms, apparel, equipment, training, education, competitions, and more. Track Dallas-Fort Worth's business and innovation landscape with its curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday. One quick signup, and you're done. R E A D N E X T. * Catalyst Brands Names New Wholesale Chief as Retail Strategy Evolves Michael Fernandez joins the Plano-based retail organization - formed in January through the mega-merger of JCPenney and SPARC Group - to lead commercial expansion and deepen brand partnerships across a portfolio that includes Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Nautica, Lucky Brand, and more. * Selerix Hires New Chief Technology Officer As CTO, Andrew Taylor will focus on helping advance McKinney-based Selerix's long-term strategy, support its continued growth and industry leadership, and facilitate the ongoing integrations of SyncStream Solutions and The Benefits eXpert, the company said. * SaaS Leader Joins Thryv as Chief Technology Officer Technology has been a driving force behind Thryv's evolution into a half-billion-dollar enterprise, and the company said that as it sets its sights on reaching the $1 billion milestone, the addition of Sean Wechter marks a strategic step forward. * Colossal Biosciences Names Australian De-Extinction Scientist as Its Chief Biology Officer Andrew Pask is known for his expertise in de-extinction science, developmental genetics, and conservation technologies. He leads the Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research Lab (TIGGR) at the University of Melbourne in Australia. * MedeAnalytics Appoints New Chief Product Officer Chris Lance will lead product vision, strategy, and execution for the Richardson-based enterprise healthcare performance company, which delivers AI-driven data, analytics, and SaaS solutions. Share via:

PR Newswire
Feb 10th, 2026
Varsity Brands names Satish Mehta as chief technology and product officer

Varsity Brands has appointed Satish Mehta as Chief Technology and Product Officer, a newly created role. Mehta will lead the company's product and technology strategy, focusing on digital platforms, data-driven experiences and scalable systems across the sports and spirit solutions provider. Mehta brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience. Most recently, he served as Chief Technology Officer at Chewy, where he helped scale the company into a multi-billion-dollar e-commerce platform. He previously held senior technology roles at UnitedHealth Group, Staples and Yahoo, and served on the board of Express, Inc. At Varsity Brands, Mehta will oversee teams developing technology solutions for coaches, athletes and schools. The company operates through its BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit divisions.

PR Newswire
Jun 16th, 2025
Daytona Beach Wins Bid To Host Nca Nda Collegiate Championship Through 2030

- Ocean Center and Daytona Beach Bandshell to Host Premier Collegiate Cheer and Dance Competition in the World -- April 8-11, 2026, Competition Marks 30th Year in Daytona Beach -DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Varsity Spirit – a division of Varsity Brands and a leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps, competitions, and yearbooks – is pleased to announce two of its brands, National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) & National Dance Alliance (NDA) Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship – the premier collegiate cheer and dance competition in the world – will continue to call Daytona Beach home through 2030.The 2025 championship attracted the nation's top college cheer and dance programs, with more than 470 teams competing in Daytona Beach utilizing 38 hotel partners throughout the area. The 2026 competition, which will be the 30th year held in Daytona Beach, is already scheduled for April 8-11 at the Daytona Beach Bandshell and the Ocean Center."We are thrilled that the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship will continue to call Daytona Beach home through 2030," said Lori Campbell Baker, Executive Director for the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "This event has become a beloved tradition for both the teams and our community, delivering unforgettable moments to the student-athletes such as hoisting the golden trophy in the Atlantic Ocean. Beyond the excitement and spirit, this event provides significant economic impact and positive national exposure that benefits our local businesses and hospitality partners. We're proud to continue this partnership with Varsity and we look forward to hosting this prestigious championship event for the next five years – and hopefully well beyond.""Daytona has been one of the most iconic and prestigious events on the NCA and NDA calendars for almost three decades and we are thrilled to continue to hold this event alongside such a great city and partner," said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit. "We look forward to welcoming thousands of athletes again next April and building even more incredible moments and memories for our athletes in the years ahead.""Our partnership with NCA and NDA is more than just an annual event; it's part of the legacy of the Ocean Center," said Lynn Flanders, General Manager of the Ocean Center

PR Newswire
May 14th, 2025
Cheer And Dance Teams Celebrate The End Of Seasons At The Summit, The Dance Summit And D2 Summit Championships

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Varsity Spirit – a division of Varsity Brands and a global leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps and competitions, and yearbooks, is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the 2025 Summit Championship and Dance Summit Championship held on May 1-4, 2025 in Orlando, FL, followed by the D2 Summit Championship held May 9-11, 2025, also in Orlando, FL.All Star cheerleading and dance teams traveled from around the globe to compete at The Summit, Dance Summit and D2 Summit Championships at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Between the three events, the championships collectively hosted over 45,000 athletes and coaches and more than 2,300 teams from 18 countries and over 78,000 spectators."For all star cheer and dance athletes around the world, The Summit Championships are the ultimate way to close out their season," said John Newby, Executive VP and General Manager of Varsity Spirit Events. "We are committed to providing a best-in-class experience for our customers, and this year's events truly delivered. The talent, dedication, and passion displayed by these athletes were nothing short of inspiring."Varsity All Star proudly continued its tradition of recognizing athletes who exemplify the #AllStarStrong values of teamwork, dedication, confidence, and leadership through The Varsity Pinnacle Award. This honor is presented to one standout athlete at each of the end-of-season events, including The Summit, The Dance Summit and The D2 Summit. This year, Varsity All Star was honored to present the 2025 Pinnacle Award to Stan Cottom, the first international and male award recipient, from Crush Cheer in Bletchley, United Kingdom at The Summit, Charlotte Schubert from Dollhouse Dance Factory in Sheboygan, Wisconsin at The Dance Summit, and Alexa Wilson from Ohio Valley All Stars in Parkersburg, West Virginia at The D2 Summit.Stan, Charlotte and Alexa have distinguished themselves as exceptional athletes, impactful leaders, and inspiring role models within their teams and gyms

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