Soccer Post is the largest local-market focused omni-channel soccer specialty retailer in the United States. Soccer Post’s mission is to provide an authentic soccer retail experience to local soccer families in every market it serves. TZP’s partnership will help Soccer Post accelerate expansion into new markets and communities.
Intrepid served as the exclusive financial advisor to Soccer Post. Soccer Post has been offering soccer apparel, footwear, and gear to enthusiasts, clubs, athletes, and families across the United States for over three decades. The Company has established itself as the go to destination for soccer families and one of the leading national omnichannel specialty retailers across e-commerce, physical stores, and institutional channels.
Key participants in the transaction shared some of their thoughts:
What did you seek in a financial advisor? Why did you select Intrepid?
“We have experienced significant growth and have unprecedented opportunities to scale the business nationally through multiple channels. We needed to find a partner with expertise in omni-channel retailing and the capital to support our aggressive growth plans. We set out to look for an advisor who understood how to position an authentic, customer focused brand with an omnichannel retail model and most importantly believed in our vision and could articulate it to a qualified set of investors.” said Sarah Jett, Chief Brand Officer of Soccer Post. “This was our first time seeking a partner. The Intrepid team did everything we could have expected from an advisor – they prepared us for the process, introduced us early on to other key advisors to round out our team, and gave us sage advice throughout the entire process. They provided an objective perspective at every key decision point and their guidance was always based on what was best for Soccer Post’s objectives. Ultimately we selected TZP for their track record with omnichannel retailers, authentic brands, and their confidence in our vision.”
What made TZP stand out among other investment partners?
“Our goal was to find an investment partner that understood and valued how special our business model is to soccer families and brought expertise to help Soccer Post’s national expansion strategy. TZP has a long track-record as a management-focused partner with insight and resources to support management teams in executing ambitious growth plans for their businesses. Their experience in activewear and lifestyle companies, their operating expertise, and ability to understand unique and disruptive models, and commitment to our shared vision made TZP a perfect fit for Soccer Post” said Blake Sonnek-Schmelz, Chief Executive Officer of Soccer Post.
What made Soccer Post an attractive investment?
“When we met Blake, we knew that he and his team had built something truly special,” said Rodney Eshelman, TZP Partner. “Soccer Post is a well-known, national brand and its reach across channels is compelling. What is most compelling is the authenticity that the Soccer Post brand brings to the soccer communities it serves. We look forward to adding our resources and support to help Blake and his team scale the business.”
What are your thoughts on this outcome for Soccer Post?
“Our role as advisors is not just to find a capital partner for our clients. It is to identify that one group that will embrace the vision of our client and bring the attitude, resources, and culture that are compatible and empowering for our client. The partner has to be the catalyst that propels our client to accelerate its vision and potential and we found all these qualities in TZP. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with the talented team at Soccer Post and its visionary CEO, Blake Sonnek-Schmelz.” commented Ed Bagdasarian, Chief Executive
Officer and Managing Director at Intrepid.
Under this new partnership, TZP plans to provide financial and operational support as the company enters its next phase of growth – particularly as it opens additional store locations, expands its e-commerce presence, and further scales its team uniform and professional team support business.