 | |
| Industry | Cheerleading |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | Jeff Webb |
| Headquarters | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Bill Seely (President) |
| Owner | Varsity Brands |
| Parent | Bain Capital |
| Website | www |
Varsity Spirit, LLC, also known as Varsity, is an American cheerleading company owned by Varsity Brands. Founded in 1974 as the Universal Cheerleaders Association, the company is a manufacturer of apparel for cheerleading and dance teams, organizer of cheerleading competitions, and operator of training camps and sanctioning bodies.
The company's vertical integration of competitive cheerleading has faced criticism, including accusations of anti-competitive and monopolistic practices (including opposition to cheerleading being sanctioned as a sport), conflicts of interest via control of governing bodies, and institutionalizing high financial costs for participation in competitive cheerleading.[1][2] In 2023 and 2024, Varsity and its previous owners agreed to settle multiple class action lawsuits, including those surrounding high financial costs, and conflicts of interest with the U.S. All Star Federation.
- ^ "Cheerleaders". Penn & Teller: Bullshit!. Season 8. Episode 1. July 10, 2010. Showtime.
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