WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (SEPTEMBER 4, 2018) – The University of North Carolina Department of Athletics has selected Dyehard Fan Supply, an event and retail merchandise marketing and e-commerce company, as the Tar Heels’ official merchandising partner. As part of the new multi-year agreement, Dyehard will handle game day and at-event merchandising for all 28 varsity teams at Carolina.
“Dyehard Fan Supply is an innovative company that is dedicated to superior customer service – just the type of partner we want as we continue our commitment to delivering the best game day experience possible for our fans,’’ said UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. “We are pleased to work with Dyehard as we continue to grow support for Tar Heel athletics.”
In addition to carrying a full line of Nike apparel and headwear, Dyehard Fan Supply will also feature product from high profile brands such as New Era, Columbia and Original Retro Brand. Dyehard’s commitment to the Carolina fan will include the debut of new brands and categories each season, beginning with the introduction of Vineyard Vines this Fall. Fans will have a wide range of styles, sizes and selections for men, women and youth, and will see an increase in offerings of specialty, event-themed and sport-specific merchandise. Dyehard Fan Supply will be stationed at athletic venues with merchandise kiosks and points-of-sale throughout Kenan Memorial Stadium, the Dean E. Smith Center, Fetzer Field, Boshamer Stadium, Carmichael Arena and more.
UNC marks the fourth Power Five school to sign an exclusive merchandising agreement with Dyehard in recent months, joining Rutgers, Arkansas and Auburn.
“Dyehard Fan Supply will create our unique retail experience at a wide variety of athletic events in Chapel Hill beginning this fall, including providing merchandising services at Tar Heel football, basketball, baseball, soccer, softball, volleyball and more,” said Dyehard CEO Rex Hough. “We’re thrilled to have been selected to serve as the official merchandising partner for Carolina and promise best-in-class service to all Tar Heel fans.”
“The initial phase of our work for UNC Athletics will include the expansion of offerings and introduction of higher quality branded gear with Columbia and Vineyard Vines. The Dyehard team is fully committed to offering the ultimate retail experience for sports fans in Chapel Hill,” Hough added. “We thank Bubba Cunningham and his team for this opportunity. And appreciate (former IMG College chairman and CEO) Ben Sutton at our parent company, Teall Sports & Entertainment, for forging Dyehard’s relationship with UNC. We look forward to significantly upgrading the merchandising plan and retail experience for Tar Heel fans!”
Dyehard Fan Supply has handled merchandising programs for many of America’s most notable sporting events and organizations, including Olympic Games, NBA finals, World Series, Davis Cup tennis, MLB All-Star Games, America’s Cup, the U.S. Open, the USTA Jr. Team Tennis & League National Championships, the TCS New York City Marathon, and numerous professional and college football championships and bowls. In 2017, Dyehard executed new partnership deals with the Music City Bowl in Nashville, the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, and a significant, long-term partnership with Tough Mudder, one of the fastest-growing athletic competitions in America. Dyehard has also handled merchandising for several Broadway shows and concerts.
“Congratulations are in order for Rex and his team at Dyehard. Being partners with the Tar Heel Nation, Bubba Cunningham and his team at Carolina is a tremendous honor for our team,” said Ben C. Sutton, Jr., chairman and managing partner of Teall Sports & Entertainment, Dyehard’s parent company. “I’m confident Tar Heel fans will respond very positively to the depth of quality and unparalleled customer service that Dyehard will provide to the Carolina program.”
“As a lifelong North Carolina native, ACC sports competition has been at the center of my personal and professional life for decades, and I look forward to seeing the improvements that Dyehard will introduce to a legendary athletics program at Chapel Hill that I have admired since my youth,” Sutton said. “Carolina fans can expect the highest standards in the merchandising industry from Dyehard.”
Teall Sports & Entertainment, a private equity company based in Winston-Salem, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; and San Francisco, Calif., created Dyehard Fan Supply in late 2017 after acquiring several companies offering an expansive national network of best-in-class merchandise capabilities. Teall anticipates additional future investments that will contribute to the top-quality retail experience for fans and customers.
About Teall Sports & Entertainment
Teall Sports & Entertainment is a privately-held set of investments in innovative, high-growth-potential lifestyle brands and services. Teall invests in complementary organizations that collaborate to share thought leadership and leverage individual networks to realize greater value.
Led by Founder and Chairman Ben C. Sutton, Jr., the Teall Sports & Entertainment management team includes several of the top executives that built and expanded four national market-leading businesses into a nearly billion-dollar enterprise in the college sports space: IMG College Media, IMG Seating, IMG College Licensing, and IMG Ticketing. Teall Sports & Entertainment leadership provides operating companies with access to expertise in corporate strategy, organizational management, culture and training, financial strategy, employee operations, recruiting, and legal diligence. Visit TeallCapital.com for more information.
About Dyehard Fan Supply
Dyehard Fan Supply is an event and retail merchandise, marketing, and e-commerce company. An international company focusing on superior customer service, Dyehard leverages an expansive network of best-in-class companies to produce top quality merchandise for college and professional sports, tennis and golf tournaments, bowl games, concerts, festivals, races, and Broadway musicals. Visit dyehardfansupply.com for more information.