Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1520324
TEAM SPORTS FOOTBALL At Oxford, OH-based Capitol Varsity Sports – which just celebrated its 70th anniversary – owner Bob Fawley is pumped about the business. "Last season was fabulous. It was the biggest season in the history of the company. It was over the top and we were thrilled," he exclaims. "e upcoming season year-to-date is up so we're still ahead of the game." He is also enthused about flag football. "Flag has a lot of growth in it, especially at the kindergarten to third-, fourth- and fih- grade levels." Conversely, at Impress Athletix in Spring, TX (in the North Houston area), owner Lavoxkeia Jones-Carnes says football sales are down compared to previous years. But on the bright side, "flag football seems to be growing and parents are steering kids toward flag, especially due to the concussion issue," she says. "Football is still mostly male — women's isn't a big thing here, but flag is growing," she adds. As the mother of two school-age kids – one of whom suffered a concussion playing flag football – she believes that manufacturers should devote more resources to developing protective headgear for the sport. Jones-Carnes says that for Impress Athletix, the main challenge in the football category lies in competing with large dealers and buying groups for both product and business. "Many big manufacturers have limited inventory available for independent team dealers and this is compounded by ongoing supply chain issues. Access to big brands is my biggest problem in football," she explains. Like Jones-Carnes, Aaron Karsh, director of operations at Harbor City, CA-based California Pro Sports, believes that concussion awareness is having a big effect on the sport. He says that participation is down overall, but there's been a little bit of a rebound since last year. "Last season was good and busier than in previous years and with the upcoming season, so far, so good. We're trying to get coaches to start the process earlier," Karsh comments. "In flag football, more girls are playing and it's been a big success," he continues, describing it as "a valuable opportunity for the girls and for our business." He adds, "Uniforms are pretty standard and they're a major part of our business. Lots of kids are moving from tackle to flag and there's more girls' flag." Keith Manning, owner of Jack Pearl's Sports Center in Battle Creek, MI, is also upbeat. "Last season was pretty good, sales were up and we had no issues getting equipment and uniforms. We're projecting sales to go up again this year," he reports. However, he has also noticed a decrease in participation and the flag football business is mostly focused on first and second graders. He hasn't seen many girls playing, either. "Participation of kids is a challenge," Manning says. "e number of helmets and pads sold each year affects our business, partic- ularly since fewer helmets are being purchased and reconditioned." Meanwhile, at Columbus, IN-based Hoosier Sporting Goods, owner Michael Bodart says that business is stable. "Last season was about the same and things look steady going forward," he reports, with two travel/youth programs and a couple of high schools and middle schools on the customer list. He adds, "We're not doing any Spring football, but it is going on. Participation is continuing its upswing from its low point [during the pandemic]." While he hasn't seen much happening with women's participation or flag football, he notes 20 • Team Insight ~ May/June 2024 teaminsightmag.com