ASB Sports, Odessa, Texas, an affiliate of Trivest Partners, recently acquired the team sports division of Universal Athletic, Bozeman, Mont.
This partnership expands ASB’s sales coverage nationwide, adds significant management talent, deepens relationships with key vendors and brings a well-respected team-dealer brand into the ASB partnership, according to the company. Universal Athletic’s key executives will join ASB’s management team.
“Partnering with ASB’s stable of the very best team dealers in America fits perfectly with Universal’s strategy,” says Greg Miller, president of Universal Athletic. “This group truly values relationships with customers, vendors and employees. Retaining our culture and family of employees was critical. Together with ASB, Universal Athletic will perpetuate nearly 50 years of service to the people and communities we call home while also allowing Universal to continue building on the relationship with the good people and members of Sports, Inc.”
The Universal Athletic team-dealer business includes more than 50 sales professionals covering more than 20 states. In addition to its team-sports business, Universal Athletic operates a large retail footprint with 10 stores across six states. Although the retail business will be owned and operated separately from ASB, the two organizations will continue to work together to benefit customers.
“The addition of Universal Athletic to ASB Sports expands our reach and gives us the opportunity to deliver our best-in-class service to athletic organizations across the country,” says Scott Molander, CEO of ASB Sports. “We are excited to join forces with Greg and his team to build on the success our combined companies bring to the market.” — D.S.
