Mentioned in this article
League/Tournament Brands:
- Misfits Gaming and apparel brand Outerstuff have formed a joint esports apparel venture.
- The debut line will feature apparel from Misfits and the Florida Mayhem before expanding to include IP from other companies.
- Outerstuff will handle day-to-day operations, while Misfits Gaming will oversee relationships with stakeholders in and around the esports industry.
Misfits Gaming 
has announced a joint venture with youth sports apparel company Outerstuff, which will release branded esports apparel from both Misfits’ own brands and IP from other companies.
Initially, the global venture will produce a line of apparel based on Misfits Gaming and its sister Florida Mayhem Overwatch League team, and will “expand to other esports brands in the future,” according to a release. The clothing will be sold both online and through retail stores.
As part of the joint venture, Outerstuff has made a strategic equity investment in Misfits Gaming. Outerstuff will handle day-to-day operations of the initiative along with apparel design, marketing, sales, and distribution. Misfits Gaming, on the other hand, will oversee relationships with stakeholders such as leagues, tournament organizers, and influencers.
“Esports has a global fanbase that is unrivaled in its enthusiasm and passion, but audiences are hindered by the limited quality and availability of licensed apparel from teams and brands,” said Misfits Gaming CEO and co-founder Ben Spoont, in a release. “This is especially true in regions like China, where the population of gamers outnumbers the total U.S. population, but fans are unable to access official esports merchandise from many of their favorite global brands.”
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“As a team owner myself, I’ve experienced firsthand the many issues relating to designing, manufacturing, and distributing the apparel that fans are clamoring to purchase,” he continued. “Outerstuff’s global operations (including its retail channels in Asia and four other continents) and experience creating and distributing official apparel for the NFL, NBA, and other traditional sports leagues bring critical industry-leading expertise across the entire apparel value chain.”
Outerstuff was founded in 1983 and has produced youth apparel for all of the major U.S. traditional sports leagues, as well as the U.S. Olympic Committee and more than 200 colleges and universities. Misfits Gaming also has a franchised league spot in the League of Legends European Championship (LEC).
