Champion apparel

Champion is an iconic American athletic brand with a history dating back to 1919. Founded in Rochester, New York, as the Knickerbocker Knitting Company by the Feinbloom brothers, the brand gained fame for inventing the hoodie and developing the 'Reverse Weave' sweatshirt to prevent shrinkage. Over the decades, it became a staple in both collegiate sports and global streetwear.

While originally manufactured in the United States, Champion's production shifted significantly following its acquisition by Sara Lee in 1989 and its subsequent spin-off under HanesBrands in 2006. Today, manufacturing is spread globally across countries such as Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Honduras, and El Salvador. While most products are imported, the brand occasionally releases premium 'Made in USA' capsule collections.

In late 2024, HanesBrands completed the sale of the Champion brand to Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) for approximately $1.2 billion. Under this new ownership, Champion operates on a licensing model, where third-party partners like AMG Companies, GearCo, and Gildan manage manufacturing, retail, and distribution across different global regions.