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Starting in October 2018, Boxercraft will officially manage Russell Athletic’s collegiate business including sales, fulfillment and all associated licensing obligations. The companies are currently coordinating with all licensing agencies, along with the colleges and universities on this opportunity. In addition to servicing the collegiate market, Boxercraft will also assume Russell Athletic’s Minor League Baseball rights.
In October 2017, Russell Athletic’s announced it was transitioning away from the team uniform business to focus on the consumer retail market.
“Over the past year Russell Athletic has been re-orienting our strategy to provide additional focus on our branded retail business,” said Matt Murphy, Russell Athletic vice president. “This more consumer-focused strategy will cross multiple retail segments, engaging a new, younger generation of Russell Athletic fans, including the college channel. Boxercraft has a world class service model, is well established in the collegiate market and continues to invest for future growth, making them a great strategic partner.”
In July 2018, Russell Athletic and Boxercraft announced a partnership that named Boxercraft as the exclusive decoration, marketing and sales partner for Russell Athletic’s collegiate licensed business.
Russell Corporation was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2006 for $600 million and became a division of Fruit of the Loom. Its business had peaked a decade earlier when in 1992 it landed a five-year contract with Major League Baseball as the exclusive provider of uniforms. By 1995, the company was generating $1.25 billion in annual sales, and had 18,000 employees.
© 2018 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.