Russell Athletic
Fruit of the Loom (Berkshire Hathaway) · United States
Russell Athletic is a United States sportswear and casualwear brand founded in 1902 in Alexander City, Alabama. It has been part of Berkshire Hathaway's Fruit of the Loom since 2006.
| Founded | 1902 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Benjamin Russell |
| Owner | Fruit of the Loom (Berkshire Hathaway), since 2006 |
| Headquarters | Bowling Green, United States |
| Segment | Casual and team sportswear |
| Website | russellathletic.com |
What is Russell Athletic?
Russell Athletic makes casual and athletic clothing, including T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, sweatpants and shorts, and is known for team and sports apparel. It was founded in 1902 in Alexander City, Alabama by Benjamin Russell.
History
In 1920 Russell and his son created the first cotton jersey, seen as a precursor to the sweatshirt. The company acquired Southern Manufacturing in 1932, adding athletic team apparel, and was renamed Russell Corporation in 1973. It won an exclusive Major League Baseball uniform contract in 1992.
Ownership
Berkshire Hathaway acquired Russell in 2006, and the brand is a subsidiary of Fruit of the Loom, headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Business model and distribution
Russell exited team uniform manufacturing in 2017 and restarted uniform production in 2018 through a partnership with Augusta Sportswear, covering American football, baseball, softball and basketball. The brand is reported to operate in North America and Europe, with additional markets including Australia, Japan and South Africa.
Why it matters
Russell Athletic is one of the oldest American sportswear names and an example of a heritage team-wear brand absorbed into a larger basics group.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Russell Athletic?
Russell Athletic is owned by Berkshire Hathaway through Fruit of the Loom, which acquired it in 2006.
Where is Russell Athletic from?
Russell Athletic is from the United States. It was founded in 1902 in Alexander City, Alabama.