Champion Teamwear
Champion Teamwear manufactures and supplies custom-decorated team uniforms, sportswear, and apparel for K-12 schools, colleges, club sports, and corporate customers across the United States, using in-house production and multiple proprietary decoration methods including UltraFuse dye-sublimation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersManhattan, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Champion Teamwear does
Champion Teamwear, Inc. is a privately held, national manufacturer and supplier of custom team uniforms, warm-ups, and practice apparel headquartered at 520 McCall Rd., Manhattan, Kansas. Founded in 1989 under the name GTM Sportswear and rebranded to Champion Teamwear by 2023, the company serves athletic teams across the United States from elementary through collegiate level, as well as club, corporate, and fanwear customers, having outfitted over 1.1 million teams since inception. It operates with approximately 900 employees spanning a nationwide outside sales force, an inside sales and support team, and an in-house production facility, supported by mail-order catalogs, phone and live chat support, and an e-commerce website.
The company's core product is fully custom team apparel, decorated through a portfolio of methods that includes its proprietary UltraFuse dye-sublimation process alongside screen print, direct-to-garment digital printing, embroidery (including 3D embroidery), twill and applique variants, premium rhinestones and sequins, fashion film, sport grip, and various glitter and shimmer treatments. The supporting product portfolio spans stock and custom warm-ups, fleece collections under Champion sub-brands (Powerblend, Reverse Weave), moisture-wicking and compression practice apparel (Double Dry, Active Dri), the Contour spirit wear line, bags and accessories, fanwear, and a corporate clothing offering. Two proprietary webtools — TeamStore and Coach's Assistant — enable coaches and team managers to operate self-serve online stores, run fundraisers, build custom locker kits, and manage order distribution.
Champion Teamwear monetizes through one-time per-order custom uniform and decoration sales priced by quote, with transaction-based volume discounts of 15–20% for full-season bundles, free 60-day sizing samples as a customer acquisition tool, and a 10% first-purchase email sign-up promotion. Distribution and demand generation span both inside and outside sales, direct e-commerce, free catalogs by mail, broad social media presence, and a flagship professional sports league partnership with the Premier Lacrosse League that extends Champion's brand into professional-grade uniforms and replica jerseys. Free decoration mockups, dedicated sales-rep design assistance, and 2-week decorated-apparel turnaround times constitute the primary commercial differentiators cited by the company.
Champion Teamwear firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Champion Teamwear
- Legal name
- Champion Teamwear, Inc.
- Website
- https://championteamwear.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Champion Teamwear manufactures and supplies custom-decorated team uniforms, sportswear, and apparel for K-12 schools, colleges, club sports, and corporate customers across the United States, using in-house production and multiple proprietary decoration methods including UltraFuse dye-sublimation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Champion Teamwear industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Athletic Team Apparel and Uniforms
- NAICS
- Apparel Manufacturing (315), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (339920)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Team & School Athletic Uniforms Retail (CRAMACAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports Team & Promotional Apparel Cut & Sew (Screenprint/Embroidery-Ready) (IMAOAEAK), Team Sports & On-Field Performance Apparel (CRAAAEAE), Team Sports Equipment & Uniforms Retail (CRAMABAE)
Keywords
Where Champion Teamwear is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manhattan
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Champion Teamwear business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Uniform and Apparel Sales: The company generates revenue through the sale of custom-embellished uniforms, warm-ups, practice apparel, and accessories for athletic teams. Products include uniforms, jackets, pants, hoodies, tees, shoes, bags, and hats. Both custom and stock/blank options are available.
- Decoration and Embellishment Services: Revenue generated from applying various decoration processes to apparel including screen printing, embroidery, twill, rhinestones, sequins, UltraFuse sublimation, and specialty finishes like glitter and premium rhinestones.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fully Custom UltraFuse Track Uniforms |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Volume Discount Program |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Buy More Save More |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Sample Program |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Quotation |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Champion Teamwear product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Champion Teamwear manufactures and supplies custom-embellished athletic uniforms, warm-ups, and practice apparel for K-12 schools, colleges, club teams, corporations, and professional sports organizations. Orders are fulfilled through an in-house production facility using decoration methods including UltraFuse dye sublimation, screen printing, embroidery, twill, applique, rhinestones, sequins, and premium films. The company also offers self-service web tools (TeamStore and Coach's Assistant) for team ordering, fundraisers, and apparel distribution.
Product overview
Champion Teamwear is a national provider of custom-embellished uniforms, warm-ups, and practice apparel for athletic teams. The product portfolio centers on custom team uniforms customizable via multiple decoration methods including UltraFuse dye-sublimation, screen print, embroidery, twill, rhinestones, sequins, and glitter applications. Supporting product lines include Powerblend Fleece and Reverse Weave fleece collections, Double Dry moisture-wicking practice wear, compression gear, Active Dri training apparel, and the Contour spirit wear collection. The company offers web-based ordering tools (TeamStore and Coach's Assistant) for team management and distribution. Decoration services range from basic screen printing to premium embellishments including 3D embroidery, premium rhinestones, and fully custom UltraFuse sublimation. Products serve elementary through collegiate athletic programs across sports including cheerleading, dance, track, volleyball, basketball, baseball, football, soccer, wrestling, tennis, golf, lacrosse, swimming, and band.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Team Uniforms Customer-designed uniforms for K-12, collegiate, club, and professional athletic teams, customizable with team colors, mascots, logos, and a wide range of decoration methods.
- Warm-Ups Athletic warm-up jackets and pants for teams, available in stock and custom styles across multiple sports.
- Practice Apparel Affordable training and practice wear including tees, tanks, shorts, and compression gear designed for durability and athletic performance.
- Powerblend Fleece Collection Midweight fleece apparel featuring cotton/polyester blend with double-needle stitching for long-lasting comfort and durability.
- Reverse Weave Collection Iconic heavyweight fleece apparel engineered to resist shrinking and maintain fit after repeated washing, featuring cotton fleece construction.
- Compression Wear Performance compression tees, tanks, and shorts in various sleeve lengths designed for athletic training and competition.
- Active Dri Collection Performance activewear collection designed for training with moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties.
- Contour Collection
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1.1 million teams outfitted since 1989
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Champion Teamwear
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Champion Teamwear technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
Champion Teamwear partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)flagshipChampion Teamwear serves as the Official On-Field & Sideline Apparel Partner of the Premier Lacrosse League powered by Ticketmaster. The multi-year agreement includes production of all official on-field uniforms, replica jerseys, and PLL apparel for players, coaches, and staff. The partnership expanded from a previous one-year role as Official Sideline Apparel Partner in 2021. The five-year deal demonstrates Champion's long-term commitment to supporting the sport of lacrosse both on and off the field. PLL Co-Founder and President Paul Rabil noted that Champion's mission of paving the way for the Champions of Tomorrow aligns with the PLL's work.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Champion Teamwear competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BSN Sports: One of the largest US distributors of team sports apparel and equipment, serving schools, leagues, and clubs with both stock and custom uniforms. Direct overlap with Champion Teamwear in K-12 athletic uniform supply, decoration services, and sales-rep-led GTM.
- Eastbay (Fanatics Team Sports): Long-standing team uniform and footwear retailer serving high school and college athletes with custom and stock apparel. Competes directly with Champion Teamwear for the high school and college team uniform business through catalogs and digital channels.
- Augusta Sportswear: US-based team athletic apparel manufacturer and decorator offering sublimation, screen print, and embroidery for schools, leagues, and teams. Direct competitor on decoration capabilities, customization service, and team dealer/distribution model.
- Badger Sportswear: Manufactures and decorates custom athletic uniforms and apparel for schools and teams with a similar multi-decoration offering. Direct peer on custom team uniforms, decoration services, and school-channel distribution.
- Champro Sports: Manufacturer and wholesaler of team athletic apparel and equipment focused on sports like baseball, softball, football, and basketball. Comparable to Champion Teamwear in serving team sports uniform needs across K-12 and leagues.
- Holloway Sportswear: US athletic apparel and uniform manufacturer with custom decoration and wholesale distribution into schools and teams. Overlaps with Champion Teamwear on custom team apparel production and decorator-channel distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Russell Athletic: Heritage team uniform brand offering stock and custom apparel across football, basketball, and other sports with broad distribution into schools and leagues. Larger incumbent competitor in custom team apparel with overlapping decoration capabilities and brand recognition.
- Under Armour (Team Uniforms): Global athletic apparel incumbent with a team sports division offering custom uniforms to high schools, colleges, and select pro leagues. Competes in Champion Teamwear's core K-12/college category with stronger brand pull and broader marketing budgets.
- Nike (Team Sports / BSN): Global athletic apparel giant with an extensive custom team sports business across performance apparel, footwear, and uniforms for schools and leagues. Direct overlap with Champion Teamwear on team uniform category but with vastly larger scale and brand.
Emerging players
- Boombah: US-based performance apparel and gear company offering custom uniforms and apparel for baseball, softball, and other team sports. Comparable emerging private competitor focused on fast custom-uniform turnaround for club and school teams.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Champion Teamwear social profiles
Digital presenceChampion Teamwear financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Champion Teamwear leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Champion Teamwear funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Champion Teamwear M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Champion Teamwear
What does Champion Teamwear do?
Champion Teamwear manufactures and supplies custom-embellished athletic uniforms, warm-ups, and practice apparel for K-12 schools, colleges, club teams, corporations, and professional sports organizations. Orders are fulfilled through an in-house production facility using decoration methods including UltraFuse dye sublimation, screen printing, embroidery, twill, applique, rhinestones, sequins, and premium films. The company also offers self-service web tools (TeamStore and Coach's Assistant) for team ordering, fundraisers, and apparel distribution.
Is Champion Teamwear a public or private company?
Champion Teamwear is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Champion Teamwear founded?
Champion Teamwear was founded in 1989. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Champion Teamwear based?
Champion Teamwear is headquartered in Manhattan, United States, in the North America region.
How does Champion Teamwear make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Custom Uniform and Apparel Sales are the primary driver. The others are decoration and Embellishment Services.
Who are Champion Teamwear's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BSN Sports, Eastbay (Fanatics Team Sports), Augusta Sportswear, Badger Sportswear, Champro Sports and Holloway Sportswear. Broad incumbents are Russell Athletic, Under Armour (Team Uniforms) and Nike (Team Sports / BSN). Boombah is listed as an emerging player.
Does Champion Teamwear have an API?
No public API is recorded for Champion Teamwear.
What industry is Champion Teamwear in?
Champion Teamwear's product category is Athletic Team Apparel and Uniforms. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMACAJ, Team & School Athletic Uniforms Retail, with a secondary code of IMAOAEAK, Sports Team & Promotional Apparel Cut & Sew (Screenprint/Embroidery-Ready). Its NAICS code is 315 and its SIC code is 5130.