Latest news with #VarsitySpirit
2 days ago
- Sport
Cheerleaders can now go pro: Varsity Spirit's new league offers pay
Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league that promises to pay athletes, joining the crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans' attention and their dollars. Pro Cheer League is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older designed to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college. Bill Seely, president of Varsity Spirit based in Memphis, Tennessee, sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league's advantage comes from the sport's growth since the 1970s along with Varsity's own fan base through its cheerleading, dance team camps, events and shows. 'That's going to help us really kind of build this out in a way that is sustainable and will continue to grow not just domestically but globally," Seely said. Varsity Spirit has had more than 80,000 people attend its events. The Pro Cheer League will try to tap into that fan base by competing the same night of other events starting in January in Indianapolis when competition begins. The league will feature four teams stocked with 30 male and female athletes based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego. Teams will be selected from tryouts starting in September led by gym owners. Practice begins in November. After Indianapolis, five more events are planned in Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and capped by the championship in Nashville at the end of March or start of April. Each match will feature three periods of competition with two focusing on cheerleading skills, stunts, basket tosses and tumbling in bracket-style rounds. The final period will feature choreography and music. 'We hope a media deal, which we're working on right now, will help kind of bridge beyond the existing fan base," Seely said. 'And we're trying to build something that entertains families, friends and gives everyone just a great show that they want to come out to." Best for the cheerleaders will be money for their athleticism. Compensation will include pay, money for travel, lodging and uniforms along with bonuses and prizes. Seely noted stunt is on track for NCAA championship status for women by spring 2027 after being designated an emerging sport in 2023. The International Olympic Committee recognized cheerleading as a sport in 2021. They've already had interest from would-be competitors from across the U.S. with some from Canada and even a couple from Europe. 'We just felt like it was the right next step for the activity and to really kind of magnify it to help inspire young people to participate in it,' Seely said. ___
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
First pro cheerleading league set to launch next year offering dazzling prize incentives to star players
Varsity Brands, a prominent figure in the cheerleading world, is looking to bring in a new era for the sport with the announcement of its Pro Cheer League - which would be the 'world's first' pro cheerleading league. This initiative comes as the company aims to move past a series of legal battles, including antitrust settlements totaling at least $126 million in the last two years alone. The newly formed Pro Cheer League, a subsidiary of Varsity Spirit, is set to launch in 2026. This professional league is considered a huge leap forward, offering cheerleaders a 'long-overdue' pathway to extend their careers beyond their high school and college years. Initial teams will be established in four major cities: Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, and San Diego. The inaugural season will feature five events held across various locations, including Indianapolis, Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim, and Nashville. Each of the four founding teams will have 30 athletes, all aged 18 or older. The selection process for these rosters will be highly competitive and is scheduled to take place this fall. Athletes chosen for the league can anticipate benefits, including 'elite training and part-time compensation,' which includes wages, travel and lodging expenses, uniforms, performance bonuses, and prize incentives. All staff and coaches will required to undergo extensive training as part of the league's strong emphasis on professional standards. The league has committed to making sure it's in full compliance with the guidelines set by USA Cheer, the sport's governing body in the United States. There are also plans for the league to expand its reach with more teams in the years to come. This positive development for professional cheerleading follows a challenging period for Varsity Brands. The company - which was acquired by leading investment firm KKR last year - has faced multiple lawsuits, most notably an antitrust class action in Tennessee that resulted in an $82.5 million settlement last year. This particular lawsuit, initiated by parents of cheerleaders, alleged that Varsity and its former private-equity backers, Bain Capital and Charlesbank Capital, maintained a monopoly over cheerleading events and inflated prices for apparel. Earlier in 2023, Varsity agreed to a $43.5 million settlement in a lawsuit brought by Fusion Elite All Stars, a California-based operator of cheerleading gyms, which highlighted similar antitrust allegations. Despite these settlements, Varsity Brands is still currently facing an ongoing antitrust lawsuit in Texas federal court, filed in 2023 by cheer competition producer Open Cheer. KKR acquired Varsity last summer in a deal valued at $4.75 billion, including debt. Founded in the early 1970s, Varsity Brands is still a big name in cheerleading, organizing over 600 regional and national competitions annually. Some of these competitions are even broadcast on major sports networks like ESPN and CBS Sports. The company also hosts summer camps attended by more than 350,000 people each year and provides extensive support to athletic programs and schools through apparel, training, and educational resources.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cheerleaders can now go pro: Varsity Spirit's new league offers pay
In this image provided by Varsity Spirit, cheerleaders compete during a Varsity Spirit event in March 2025 in Dallas. (Varsity Spirit via AP) In this image provided by Varsity Spirit, cheerleaders compete during a Varsity Spirit event in March 2025 in Dallas. (Varsity Spirit via AP) In this image provided by Varsity Spirit, cheerleaders compete during a Varsity Spirit event in March 2025 in Dallas. (Varsity Spirit via AP) In this image provided by Varsity Spirit, cheerleaders compete during a Varsity Spirit event in March 2025 in Dallas. (Varsity Spirit via AP) In this image provided by Varsity Spirit, cheerleaders compete during a Varsity Spirit event in March 2025 in Dallas. (Varsity Spirit via AP) In this image provided by Varsity Spirit, cheerleaders compete during a Varsity Spirit event in March 2025 in Dallas. (Varsity Spirit via AP) In this image provided by Varsity Spirit, cheerleaders compete during a Varsity Spirit event in March 2025 in Dallas. (Varsity Spirit via AP) Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league that promises to pay athletes, joining the crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans' attention and their dollars. Pro Cheer League is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older designed to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college. Advertisement Bill Seely, president of Varsity Spirit based in Memphis, Tennessee, sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league's advantage comes from the sport's growth since the 1970s along with Varsity's own fan base through its cheerleading, dance team camps, events and shows. 'That's going to help us really kind of build this out in a way that is sustainable and will continue to grow not just domestically but globally," Seely said. Varsity Spirit has had more than 80,000 people attend its events. The Pro Cheer League will try to tap into that fan base by competing the same night of other events starting in January in Indianapolis when competition begins. The league will feature four teams stocked with 30 male and female athletes based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego. Teams will be selected from tryouts starting in September led by gym owners. Practice begins in November. Advertisement After Indianapolis, five more events are planned in Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and capped by the championship in Nashville at the end of March or start of April. Each match will feature three periods of competition with two focusing on cheerleading skills, stunts, basket tosses and tumbling in bracket-style rounds. The final period will feature choreography and music. 'We hope a media deal, which we're working on right now, will help kind of bridge beyond the existing fan base," Seely said. 'And we're trying to build something that entertains families, friends and gives everyone just a great show that they want to come out to." Best for the cheerleaders will be money for their athleticism. Compensation will include pay, money for travel, lodging and uniforms along with bonuses and prizes. Advertisement Seely noted stunt is on track for NCAA championship status for women by spring 2027 after being designated an emerging sport in 2023. The International Olympic Committee recognized cheerleading as a sport in 2021. They've already had interest from would-be competitors from across the U.S. with some from Canada and even a couple from Europe. 'We just felt like it was the right next step for the activity and to really kind of magnify it to help inspire young people to participate in it,' Seely said. ___ AP sports:
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
Cheerleaders can now go pro: Varsity Spirit's new league offers pay
Associated Press Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league that promises to pay athletes, joining the crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans' attention and their dollars. Pro Cheer League is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older designed to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college. Bill Seely, president of Varsity Spirit based in Memphis, Tennessee, sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league's advantage comes from the sport's growth since the 1970s along with Varsity's own fan base through its cheerleading, dance team camps, events and shows. 'That's going to help us really kind of build this out in a way that is sustainable and will continue to grow not just domestically but globally," Seely said. Varsity Spirit has had more than 80,000 people attend its events. The Pro Cheer League will try to tap into that fan base by competing the same night of other events starting in January in Indianapolis when competition begins. The league will feature four teams stocked with 30 male and female athletes based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego. Teams will be selected from tryouts starting in September led by gym owners. Practice begins in November. After Indianapolis, five more events are planned in Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and capped by the championship in Nashville at the end of March or start of April. Each match will feature three periods of competition with two focusing on cheerleading skills, stunts, basket tosses and tumbling in bracket-style rounds. The final period will feature choreography and music. 'We hope a media deal, which we're working on right now, will help kind of bridge beyond the existing fan base," Seely said. 'And we're trying to build something that entertains families, friends and gives everyone just a great show that they want to come out to." Best for the cheerleaders will be money for their athleticism. Compensation will include pay, money for travel, lodging and uniforms along with bonuses and prizes. Seely noted stunt is on track for NCAA championship status for women by spring 2027 after being designated an emerging sport in 2023. The International Olympic Committee recognized cheerleading as a sport in 2021. They've already had interest from would-be competitors from across the U.S. with some from Canada and even a couple from Europe. 'We just felt like it was the right next step for the activity and to really kind of magnify it to help inspire young people to participate in it,' Seely said. ___ AP sports: recommended
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Cheerleaders can now go pro: Varsity Spirit's new league offers pay
Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league that promises to pay athletes, joining the crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans' attention and their dollars. Pro Cheer League is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older designed to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college. Bill Seely, president of Varsity Spirit based in Memphis, Tennessee, sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league's advantage comes from the sport's growth since the 1970s along with Varsity's own fan base through its cheerleading, dance team camps, events and shows. 'That's going to help us really kind of build this out in a way that is sustainable and will continue to grow not just domestically but globally,' Seely said. Varsity Spirit has had more than 80,000 people attend its events. The Pro Cheer League will try to tap into that fan base by competing the same night of other events starting in January in Indianapolis when competition begins. The league will feature four teams stocked with 30 male and female athletes based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego. Teams will be selected from tryouts starting in September led by gym owners. Practice begins in November. After Indianapolis, five more events are planned in Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and capped by the championship in Nashville at the end of March or start of April. Each match will feature three periods of competition with two focusing on cheerleading skills, stunts, basket tosses and tumbling in bracket-style rounds. The final period will feature choreography and music. 'We hope a media deal, which we're working on right now, will help kind of bridge beyond the existing fan base,' Seely said. 'And we're trying to build something that entertains families, friends and gives everyone just a great show that they want to come out to.' Best for the cheerleaders will be money for their athleticism. Compensation will include pay, money for travel, lodging and uniforms along with bonuses and prizes. Seely noted stunt is on track for NCAA championship status for women by spring 2027 after being designated an emerging sport in 2023. The International Olympic Committee recognized cheerleading as a sport in 2021. They've already had interest from would-be competitors from across the U.S. with some from Canada and even a couple from Europe. 'We just felt like it was the right next step for the activity and to really kind of magnify it to help inspire young people to participate in it,' Seely said. ___ AP sports: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
