Homage

What Homage does

Homage is a Columbus, Ohio-based direct-to-consumer apparel brand founded in 2007 by Ryan Vesler, operating a single e-commerce storefront at homage.com and selling vintage-inspired sports and pop culture apparel. The product portfolio is anchored by an in-house 'Go-To' everyday line (tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts priced $25-$65) for men, women, kids, and baby, layered with officially licensed collections from all major US sports leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS, NCAA, US Soccer) and entertainment franchises (Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Warner Bros./Harry Potter, Sanrio/Hello Kitty, Peanuts, WWE, Grateful Dead, The Simpsons, TMNT, Topps, DC Comics, Toy Story). Revenue is generated primarily through one-time unit sales, with recurring exposure to licensing royalty economics on collaboration drops; limited-edition outerwear (Starter pullovers at $175) and themed promotional nights with MLB teams extend the merchandising calendar.

The business model is licensing-mediated DTC retail: Homage secures IP rights from leagues and studios, designs and sources apparel, and sells direct to consumers with bundle pricing (e.g., 3 tees for $89) and a SCORE Rewards loyalty program. Marketing is amplified by celebrity investors including Ryan Reynolds (Maximum Effort), LeBron James, Jason Kelce, Rob McElhenney, and Kevin Durant, providing organic reach across owned social channels. The company closed its Over-the-Rhine retail store in December 2024 and its flagship Short North store in March 2026, consolidating around the e-commerce channel while continuing to expand IP partnerships. CEO Vesler reported FY2024 revenue above $50M, and a 2024 growth capital round (Maximum Effort plus a syndicate including Winnie Capital, 35Ventures, Haslam Sports Group, and additional celebrity investors) is funding production scale-up and partnership expansion.

Name

Homage

Legal name

Homage

Website

https://homage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Homage is a Columbus, Ohio-based direct-to-consumer apparel brand founded in 2007 that designs and sells vintage-inspired, officially licensed sports and pop culture clothing through homage.com. It serves sports fans and pop culture enthusiasts across men, women, kids, and baby segments via partnerships with MLB, NFL, NBA, Disney, Marvel, and others, generating over $50M in annual revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vintage-Inspired Licensed Apparel

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (459110)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Fan Apparel & Wearables Retail (Licensed) (CRAMAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Collectibles, Fan Gear & Licensed Merchandise Retail (CRAMABAO), Team & League Branded Merchandise Retail (Non-Apparel) (CRAMAOAF), Entertainment Memorabilia Retail (Film/TV/Music) (CRALAGAJ)

Keywords

• Vintage sports apparel
• Licensed apparel
• Pop culture clothing
• Retro fan gear
• Graphic t-shirts

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Apparel Sales: Homage generates revenue through the direct sale of vintage-inspired clothing including t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, and accessories. The company sells through its owned e-commerce platform and retail stores, with pricing ranging from $25-$65 for individual items with bundle discounts available.
2. Licensing Royalties: As a licensed partner of major sports leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, WNBA) and entertainment companies (Warner Bros., Sanrio/Hello Kitty), Homage pays licensing fees for the right to use team logos, player imagery, and intellectual property. This licensing model enables the company to create officially authorized merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Homage designs, produces, and sells vintage-inspired sports and pop culture apparel through its own e-commerce platform and formerly through retail stores. The company holds official licensing agreements with major sports leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS, NCAA, US Soccer) and entertainment franchises (Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Hello Kitty, Peanuts, The Simpsons, Grateful Dead, WWE) to produce officially authorized t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, and accessories for men, women, kids, and babies.

Product overview

Homage is a vintage-inspired sports and pop culture apparel brand based in Columbus, Ohio. The company operates as a single unified e-commerce platform offering its own HOMAGE brand Go-To collection alongside licensed sports merchandise (MLB, NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS, NCAA colleges, US Soccer) and pop culture collaborations (Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Hello Kitty, Peanuts, The Simpsons, Grateful Dead, TMNT, Topps, WWE, Toy Story, Nickelodeon). The product portfolio centers on the Go-To collection of everyday essentials (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, shorts, sweatpants) for men, women, and kids, complemented by licensing deals with major sports leagues and entertainment franchises. The company generates over $50 million in annual revenue and counts celebrity investors including Ryan Reynolds, LeBron James, Jason Kelce, and Rob McElhenney.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Go-To Collection Core everyday apparel line featuring t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, and accessories marketed under the 'Legendary Comfort' branding, with sizes from XS to 3XL, plus youth sizing.
• MLB Licensed Apparel Major League Baseball licensed vintage-inspired clothing featuring all 30 MLB teams plus historical teams such as the Montreal Expos.
• NFL Licensed Apparel National Football League licensed vintage-inspired clothing featuring all 32 NFL teams including the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals.
• NBA Licensed Apparel National Basketball Association licensed vintage-inspired clothing featuring all 30 NBA teams including the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers.
• WNBA Licensed Apparel Women's National Basketball Association licensed clothing featuring teams like the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and Indiana Fever.
• MLS Licensed Apparel Major League Soccer licensed apparel featuring teams like Columbus Crew, Inter Miami CF, and LA Galaxy.
• NCAA College Apparel College sports licensed apparel featuring teams like the Ohio State Buckeyes, University of Michigan, and Indiana University.
• US Soccer Apparel US Soccer and international soccer team apparel featuring USMNT and USWNT crests.
• HOMAGE x Starter Collection Collaboration collection with Starter brand featuring vintage-inspired jackets and apparel with retro 90s aesthetics, including NBA pullover jackets and NFL windbreakers.
• Hello Kitty Collaboration Sanrio-licensed Hello Kitty apparel collection featuring MLB, NFL, and soccer team designs with Hello Kitty wearing team uniforms, available in sizes XS-3XL plus youth sizing.
• Disney Collaboration Disney-licensed apparel featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and other Disney characters.
• Marvel Collaboration Marvel-licensed superhero-themed apparel featuring Spider-Man and other Marvel characters.
• Star Wars Collaboration Star Wars-licensed franchise apparel featuring Mandalorian and other iconic characters.
• Harry Potter Collaboration Harry Potter-licensed franchise-themed graphic tees featuring characters, houses, and symbols from the series, priced from $26 to $66 and available in sizes for babies, children, and adults.
• Peanuts Collaboration Peanuts-licensed apparel featuring Snoopy and other Peanuts characters, including collaborations with US Soccer.
• The Simpsons Collaboration Simpsons-licensed animated series apparel featuring Homer, Bart, and family characters, including a Bengals collaboration ahead of Monday Night Football.
• Grateful Dead Collaboration Grateful Dead music band-themed apparel, including the MLB x Grateful Dead Americana collection combining baseball aesthetics with the band's imagery.
• TMNT Collaboration

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.

• Sanrio (Hello Kitty)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 11 May 2026Homage launched a 30-piece Hello Kitty clothing collection in partnership with MLB, NFL, and soccer teams including the Los Angeles Rams, New York Yankees, and US women's national soccer team. Features Hello Kitty wearing team uniforms on hoodies, t-shirts, and crewnecks in sizes XS-3XL plus youth sizing.
• StartercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Homage partnered with Starter brand to launch retro 90s NBA pullover jackets and Las Vegas Raiders windbreakers, combining vintage sports aesthetics with modern comfort. The partnership produces officially licensed vintage-inspired outerwear featuring iconic sports designs.
• MLBcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 12 February 2026Major League Baseball is a key licensing partner for Homage, enabling the production of officially licensed MLB team merchandise and special collections including Hello Kitty collaborations.
• NFLcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 12 February 2026National Football League is a key licensing partner for Homage, enabling production of officially licensed NFL team merchandise including vintage-inspired apparel and collaboration pieces.
• NBAcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 12 February 2026National Basketball Association is a key licensing partner for Homage, enabling officially licensed NBA team merchandise and collaboration collections including Homage x Starter NBA pullover jackets.
• Warner Bros. DiscoverycoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 4 February 2026Homage released a 22-piece Harry Potter-themed graphic tee collection ahead of the franchise's 25th anniversary. Warner Bros. has a year-long celebration planned including global theatrical re-releases and HBO series premiere.
• OutkastnotableOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 11 November 2025Hip-hop duo Outkast collaborated with Homage on a clothing collection released in November 2025, bringing pop culture and music-themed merchandise to fans.
• Grateful DeadnotableOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerHomage has collaborated with the Grateful Dead on merchandise collections, including MLB x Grateful Dead Americana designs combining baseball aesthetics with the iconic band's imagery.
• DisneycoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerDisney is a licensing partner for Homage, enabling production of officially licensed Disney-themed merchandise including Mickey Mouse designs.
• MarvelcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMarvel is a licensing partner for Homage, enabling production of officially licensed superhero-themed merchandise.
• Star Wars (Lucasfilm)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerStar Wars is a licensing partner for Homage, enabling production of officially licensed Star Wars-themed merchandise including Mandalorian designs.
• Peanuts WorldwidenotableOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPeanuts Worldwide is a licensing partner for Homage, enabling Snoopy and Peanuts-themed merchandise including collaborations with US Soccer.
• WWEcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerWWE is a licensing partner for Homage, enabling production of officially licensed wrestling-themed merchandise.
• ToppsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerTopps partnered with Homage for the Topps 75 Remix collection, celebrating 75 years of Topps baseball cards with apparel designs featuring iconic card imagery.
• US SoccercoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerUS Soccer is a licensing partner for Homage, enabling officially licensed US men's and women's national team merchandise and apparel.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Starter: Heritage sportswear brand (and Homage collaboration partner) producing vintage-licensed jackets, pullovers, and apparel for MLB, NFL, and NBA. Operates in the same retro-licensed apparel category with overlapping product lines.
• '47 Brand: Vintage-style licensed sports apparel and headwear company that produces officially licensed MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and collegiate apparel with a retro aesthetic, directly competing with Homage in the throwback licensed apparel niche.
• BreakingT: Licensed sports apparel company specializing in trending player-driven and team-themed graphic tees and hoodies, often launched around live sports moments. Competes with Homage for the licensed sports fan apparel wallet.
• Mitchell & Ness: Iconic throwback sports apparel brand producing authentic and nostalgic licensed jerseys, jackets, and headwear across major US sports leagues. Closest direct competitor to Homage in vintage-inspired licensed apparel at scale.
• FOCO: Licensed sports and pop culture novelty apparel and accessories company producing officially licensed MLB, NFL, NBA, and collegiate merchandise. Overlaps with Homage on officially licensed sports merchandise, especially in fan gear and accessories.
• Retro Brand: Licensed throwback apparel brand producing officially licensed retro MLB, NFL, NHL, and collegiate apparel, closely mirroring Homage's vintage-inspired positioning and league-licensed product mix.
• New Era Cap: Officially licensed headwear and apparel producer for MLB, NFL, NBA, and MLS with a strong vintage and streetwear positioning. Overlaps with Homage on licensed sports merchandise, particularly caps and team apparel.

Broad incumbents

• Fanatics: Largest licensed sports merchandise retailer globally, with increasingly long-term, league-exclusive rights to MLB, NFL, and NBA. Dominates the same officially licensed sports apparel category Homage serves, but at vastly greater scale and with broader distribution including team stores.
• Nike: Global athletic apparel giant with officially licensed MLB, NFL, and NBA product lines and dominant performance/casual crossover positioning. Competes with Homage in the licensed sports fan apparel space as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Polo Ralph Lauren: Heritage American apparel brand with deep ties to sports (including MLB and Wimbledon licensing) and a strong vintage/heritage aesthetic that overlaps with Homage's nostalgic positioning, though Ralph Lauren operates across a much broader premium lifestyle portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/homage
• Facebookfacebook.com/HOMAGE
• Instagraminstagram.com/homage
• TikToktiktok.com/@homage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Homage