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Varsity Spirit has issued a statement to Cheer Daily responding to claims made by Rebel Athletic regarding Rebel’s absence from the Florida State High School Competitive Cheerleading Championships, held Jan. 22–23 at the RP Funding Center.
Rebel Athletic previously said it was prevented from participating as an approved sponsor despite holding a valid contract. The company said it was notified approximately 48 hours before the event that it would not be allowed to activate on-site after completing booth construction, staffing, and material preparation.
In its statement to Cheer Daily, Varsity Spirit said it was not aware of any agreement between Rebel Athletic and event partners related to a booth at the championship.
“Contrary to recent misleading and inaccurate claims made by Rebel Athletic, Varsity Spirit was not aware that Teall Properties Group (TPG) had entered into an agreement with Rebel related to a booth at the Florida High School Athletic Association Competitive Cheerleading Championships on January 22–23, 2026,” the statement said.
Varsity Spirit said it first became aware of the alleged agreement after viewing a video posted by Rebel on Sunday, Feb. 1, and emphasized that it was not a party to the agreement.
“The situation appears to involve a misunderstanding among Rebel, TPG, and the FHSAA,” the statement said. “Varsity Spirit was not a party to and had no knowledge of this agreement prior to February 1. TPG and FHSAA have informed us that they will address the misunderstanding directly with Rebel.”
Varsity Spirit added that it remains “a proud partner of the FHSAA” and said it is committed to supporting the cheerleading community and working collaboratively with its partners.
Neither the Florida High School Athletic Association nor Teall Properties Group has publicly commented on the matter as of publication.
Cheer Daily will continue to report as additional information becomes available.
February 1, 2026:
Rebel Athletic says it was barred from participating as an approved sponsor at the Florida High School Cheerleading State Championships, which took place Jan. 22–23 at the RP Funding Center.
In a public statement released on February 1, Rebel Athletic founder and CEO Karen Aldridge said the company had a valid, active contract to attend the championship but was informed approximately 48 hours before doors opened that it would not be allowed to participate.
According to Aldridge, Rebel Athletic had already completed its preparations, including building its booth, training staff, and shipping materials to Lakeland.
“Our booth was built. Our team was trained and scheduled. Our materials were ready,” Aldridge said in the statement. “Forty-eight hours before the event, Varsity stepped in and blocked our participation, despite our clear contractual right to be there.”
Rebel Athletic alleged the decision came without a business or legal explanation and described the exclusion as intentional. The company characterized the situation as an intentional move, framing it as an example of restricted access within the cheerleading industry.
“This was not a misunderstanding. It was not a mistake,” Aldridge said. “It was the deliberate exclusion of a competitor.”
The company did not publicly release the contract or specify which party administered sponsor approvals for the event. Rebel Athletic stated that it believes its removal was connected to industry competition rather than event operations.
The Florida High School Cheerleading State Championships is among the largest school cheer events in the country, drawing programs from across Florida and serving as a key marketplace for uniforms, apparel, training resources, and services.
For many school programs, especially those with limited budgets, championship expos offer one of the few opportunities to see multiple vendors in person, ask questions directly, and compare options before committing to long-term contracts.
Aldridge notes that vendor access at major events directly influences which brands schools are exposed to and, ultimately, which choices are available to athletes and families.
Rebel Athletic emphasized that point in its statement, saying the issue extends beyond one company.
“Competition creates accountability. Choice drives innovation. Exclusion hurts the sport,” Aldridge said.
Questions around event control, exclusivity, and market dominance have circulated within cheerleading for years, particularly as large companies have expanded their influence across competitions, apparel, and services.
Varsity Spirit and its parent organization have previously faced legal and regulatory scrutiny related to competition practices. Those matters have unfolded across multiple cases and jurisdictions, and no new legal action related to this specific event has been announced.
Rebel Athletic, founded in 2013, has grown into a major uniform and apparel provider across school and all star cheer. The brand has positioned itself as an alternative option in a space long dominated by a small number of companies.
Its absence from a high-profile state championship, despite claiming approved sponsor status, raised questions among coaches and industry observers following the event.
Rebel Athletic said it is reviewing its options following the championship and indicated that it may pursue contractual or legal remedies.
“We will continue to call out conduct that limits access and undermines trust, publicly, contractually, and legally if necessary,” Aldridge said.
The company did not specify whether any formal complaints or filings have been made as of Feb. 1.
At this time, no governing body associated with the Florida High School Cheerleading State Championships has issued a public statement addressing the dispute.
Cheer Daily will continue to report on developments as more information becomes available.
