Jeff Webb, the entrepreneur who founded and built the cheerleading powerhouse Varsity Spirit, has died at 76 following an accident. His death was confirmed by Varsity Spirit, the company he founded in 1974, originally as the Universal Cheerleading Association. According to cheerleading website Cheer Daily, Varsity Spirit president Bill Seely, Webb’s protégé, told the company’s employees in an email that Webb had been removed from life support two weeks after suffering a head injury during a game of pickleball. A spokesperson for Varsity did not respond to a request for comment. The company publicly announced his passing on its social media channels but did not specify the cause of death. The International Cheer Union, which Webb founded and served as president, wrote on Instagram that Webb had passed “following complications after an accident.” News of Webb’s passing sent shockwaves through the cheer world he had long presided over. A former collegiate sideline cheerleader at the University of Oklahoma, Webb grew Varsity from a modest cheer training business to a multi-billion-dollar enterprise through aggressive expansion and acquisitions, drawing both acclaim and condemnation. While celebrated for creating opportunities for millions of athletes, the Memphis-based company also faced criticism over its alleged monopolistic practices and concerns that it prioritized profits over the safety and well-being of its young competitors. In 2011, Webb sold the business to Herff Jones—the school awards and regalia supplier—and became CEO and president of the combined entity, which later rebranded as Varsity Brands. The enterprise continued to expand, acquiring sports apparel company BSN Sports in 2013. In 2014, Varsity was acquired by Charlesbank Capital Partners for $1.5 billion.#jeff_webb #varsity_spirit #bill_seely #international_cheer_union #charlesbank_capital_partners
Charlie Kirk’s ‘Mentor’ Jeff Webb Dies After Freak Pickleball Accident Jeff Webb, a prominent figure in the cheerleading industry and a key player in conservative media, died at the age of 76 following a severe head injury sustained during a pickleball game. The incident occurred when Webb fell and suffered critical trauma, leading to his hospitalization. His family ultimately decided to discontinue life support, marking the end of his life. Webb was a foundational leader in the world of cheerleading, having founded the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) and Varsity Spirit. He later became the president and CEO of Varsity Brands, which evolved into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Before his career in corporate leadership, Webb served as a “yell leader” at the University of Oklahoma, a role that involved leading campus spirit activities. Despite his professional achievements, Webb was not driven by financial gain. In an interview, he emphasized his passion for “discipline and keeping score” as the core of his motivations. However, his work in the conservative media sphere earned him both admiration and criticism. Some detractors referred to him as “Dark Sith Lord” and “John D. Rockefeller with glitter,” highlighting the polarizing nature of his influence. Webb’s impact extended beyond cheerleading and business. He played a significant role in shaping the conservative media landscape, serving as a senior editor and co-publisher of Human Events and acquiring the right-wing website The Post Millennial. His relationship with conservative activist Charlie Kirk was particularly notable. Webb mentored Kirk, who later became the CEO of Turning Point USA, a prominent youth-focused conservative organization. Kirk’s legacy was a central theme in Webb’s later years.#turning_point_usa #jeff_webb #charlie_kirk #universal_cheerleading_association #varsity_brands
