Champion

Champion U.S.A. is an American clothing manufacturer, specializing in sportswear founded as Champion Athleticwear in 1919 by Simon Feinbloom and his sons Abraham and William in Rochestor, New York. Champion is currently the second-largest subsidiary brand under HanesBrands Inc., which originated from the Sara Lee Corporation. Champion also has a Japanese subsidiary line which is more lifestyle-oriented and boasts a retro collegiate aesthetic. Initially only producing sweaters, the Feinbloom sons diversified the product line to include tees, shoes and undergarments after Feinbloom’s death in 1920. In 1938, Champion patented its reverse weave technology, which is still utilizes in its products to this day. Throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, Champion was the first in the sportswear industry to introduce such products as mesh sportswear, hoodies and sports bras, as well as establishing its current logo in 1969. In 1989, the Sara Lee Corporation acquired Champion, moving the brand to its global headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Champion saw one of its defining moments at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, when it supplied the uniforms for the USA Basketball “Dream Team,” as well as for the entire U.S. contingent in the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, and again for the “Dream Team” in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Champion was the official supplier for the NBA until 2000, and official licensee to produce replica NFL jerseys 1999 - 2000.