Champion is making its latest move to re-establish itself as a top-tier apparel brand. The 100-year-old company will be the official uniform provider of the Fan Controlled Football League, which is set to launch in February.
Logos for the teams were voted on by fans, who will also decide on final uniform designs that Champion provides.
FCFL team owners include athletes like NFL players Austin Ekeler, Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch, MLB player Trevor May and boxer Mike Tyson.
Renaissance Champions: Once the uniform supplier of the NBA and some NFL and NCAA teams, Champion has been riding a recent surge in 90s-inspired fashion and increased adoption in streetwear circles.
- Champion sales grew 40% in 2019, up to $1.9 million — an increase of $1.1 billion in three years. Parent company HanesBrands’ forecasts it will be a $2 billion unit by 2022.
- 2020 third quarter sales were down 9% year-over-year, largely driven by a decline in college sports sales because of COVID-19. Still, sales were up 85% from the second quarter.
Game Time: While Champion’s legacy is in stick and ball sports, the company has looked to connect with gamers. It released a video-game inspired hoodie that can be worn with headphones and has a pocket that can carry a controller.
Champion collaborated with Nintendo to celebrate Super Mario’s 35th anniversary in November, is the official outfitter of the NBA 2K League and an official partner of the Drone Racing League.