Few can forget how it felt when we received our first team uniform — the texture and smell of it, emblazoned with our number and name.
That feeling of pride, duty and anticipation stays with you.
As high schools sports have evolved and improved so have the expectations and standards that accompany them. Team branding, completely outfitting players in brand name uniforms, isn’t solely reserved for professional and collegiate athletes anymore. Schools like Florida Christian, Ransom Everglades, Westminster Christian, Archbishop McCarthy and Monsignor Pace all have all-school branding packages. And along with 10 other schools in South Florida, they are part of a growing list of Performance Team Sports clients.
“The same way it’s done for colleges like UM, FIU and FAU — all Adidas schools — we brand high school and Division I, II and JUCO college athletic programs,” said Michael Christiansen, general manager. “We outfit them from head to toe with branding packages that also come with incentives, fundraising sponsorships and marketing within the school.”
Performance Team Sports is an Adidas and Under Armour team dealer and can create custom branding packages (apparel, gear and footwear), previously available only at college and pro levels, for high schools. Other brands available include Schutt, Spalding, Badger Sports, Augusta Sportswear, Louisville Slugger, Russel Athletic, Alleson Athletic, Mizuno, Wilson and the company’s own eponymous label.
Hard goods — including balls, bats, gloves and protective gear, and “large ticket” equipment like basketball systems, soccer goals, bleachers and scoreboards — also are available.
However, they aren’t interested in just making a sale and parting ways with clients until another round of uniforms needs to be ordered.
“We become an extension of your athletic program — your partner,” Christiansen said. “We become your go-to if you need extra shirts, footwear — things like that. We help you manage your school’s athletic apparel on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. And our team at Performance Team Sports, made up of passionate, dedicated people, is second to none.”
Because the company owns its own printing, embroidery and subliminal printing facility, it can provide an unparalleled turnaround speed on orders of any size. Everything is done under one roof, including in-house design by exclusive artists.
“It makes us more reliable and consistent than any competitor,” said Alex Quevedo, founder and CEO. “Your blue is going to be the same blue every time. The lettering is always going to be the same, as opposed to a company that goes to different subcontractors, resulting in one kind of quality one time and another level of quality another.”
In terms of price, Quevedo and Christiansen said they are unbeatable. The company is a member of a billion-dollar buying group, Sports Inc., comprised of more than 200 shareholders who collectively invest in sports businesses. The group’s elite purchasing power and access to more than 300 worldwide manufacturers allows it to buy and sell products at a rate significantly lower than competitors.
And the money Performance Team Sports saves, they said, is passed onto the clients.
“We blow away retail,” he said. “Instead of paying the regular price or a small percentage off, you get brand name items for 40 percent off or more.”
Two years after bursting on to the South Florida market, the company has outgrown its current location in Medley and is planning a move to a much larger location in Doral. Services recently expanded to Orlando, with more markets targeted in the future.
Performance Team Sports is involved actively with the Boys & Girls Club of Miami and provides all of its team uniforms, participates in fundraisers, golf tournaments and other charity efforts.
“For us to be able to do this for kids, it’s just amazing,” he said. “At the end of the day, you’re putting smiles on kids’ faces and making them proud of themselves, their school, community and their involvement in sports.”
For more information, call 305-621-2424 or visit PerformanceTeamSports.com.
