Athletix, Inc. Profile

The founder of Athletix, Inc., Rob Burnham, started his first garment factory in 1980 after working 10 years with other textile and garment manufacturers. By 1986, that company had grown to 2 plants and about 250 employees, those original factories were sold to a partner in 1986. Rob started Mississippi Sportswear in 1987. That company made sports uniforms under contracts with many companies including Harv-al, Russell, Nike and Varsity Spirit Corporation. As those manufacturers began to source products outside the US in the mid 1990’s, Mississippi Sportswear took the initiative to develop its own pattern making, computer cutting and order tracking capabilities.

In 1994, the company introduced its first line of athletic team uniforms in Central Mississippi under the MSports label. With the immediate success of the quality products offered at competitive prices, it was obvious that those same products could be marketed successfully nationwide. So, in 1996 a group of seasoned independent sales reps with many years of experience in marketing and selling custom team uniforms was gathered and a new player in the custom athletic team uniform industry was born.

Mississippi Sportswear was teamed up with Betlin, Inc. in 2001. The quality and strength of both companies led to a license to produce adidas team uniforms in 2003. This relationship thrust the company to the top of the very competitive custom team uniform market. In 2006, Betlin and Mississippi Sportswear were streamlined into one new company named Athletix, Inc. Since that time, adidas has turned its focus to direct sales allowing Athletix to focus its increased expertise to its growing custom athletic team uniform business.

Our people, most of whom are located in Kosciusko, MS, are still focused on producing a quality product at a competitive price. Many of the people who joined the company in the early 1980’s are still with us. They are continuing to help us build a legacy of quality and delivery. The company’s motto is—“If it’s Played in America, it should be Made in America.”

Over the years, Athletix has outfitted a multitude of teams from youth leagues through high school, junior college and Division I schools with the Athletix, Betlin and adidas brands. In addition, the company holds licenses for over 40 collegiate licenses and delivers replica cheer outfits under its Athletix Collegiate brand. It also delivers CheerKids replica uniforms to local sporting goods stores and specialty retail shops across America.

This dynamic combination of related products manufactured by Athletix allows the company to maintain expertise in a variety of complementing production areas which help the company to be the “best of the best” in the custom team uniform business.