STEVE DAVIS NAMED PRESIDENT OF FANATICS INTERNATIONAL
Licensed sports merchandise company Fanatics has appointed seasoned global e-commerce and branding executive Steve Davis as president of Fanatics International. Throughout the course of his career, Davis has strategically navigated the evolving retail landscapes around the world, having most recently served as the CEO of digital fast-fashion retailer Rue La La.
Reporting directly to Fanatics CEO Doug Mack, Davis will be tasked with leading the rapid growth of Fanatics’ international division, which provides a sophisticated omni-channel platform to help top sports brands and teams better service their global fan bases with a larger, more-timely merchandise assortment regardless of how or where their fans want to shop – online, on mobile, at games or at some of the biggest sporting events around the world.
Davis and his team will also begin building out worldwide manufacturing and distribution infrastructure to support Fanatics’ vertical merchandise model. This vertical commerce model has been successfully implemented across North America and offers a broader assortment of unique products that Fanatics designs, manufactures and delivers through a faster, more agile supply chain to handle the growing real-time demand of fans worldwide.
“Steve brings a broad range of commerce and brand-building expertise to Fanatics with a deep understanding of the global retail landscape,” said Mack. “His leadership will significantly advance our global footprint and expand the multichannel, merchandising and manufacturing capabilities that we provide to all our partners worldwide. We aim to become the number one fan brand in the world and Steve will play a key part in ensuring we make that happen.”
Operating from locations around the globe, Fanatics International provides online, retail and end-to-end event solutions across football, motorsports, rugby, tennis and golf. In 2016 Fanatics made a significant investment to grow its international division by acquiring UK-based online retailer Kitbag, an official partner of top football clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Borrussia Dortmund, among others. Fanatics also added global distribution and manufacturing resources necessary to power its vertical merchandise model through the recent acquisition of leading licensed sportswear company Majestic, announced this past May.
Davis’ appointment also comes on the heels of Fanatics closing a significant investment round from SoftBank’s Vision Fund, the world’s largest investment fund targeting globally-minded, transformative companies. SoftBank’s deep ties throughout Asia-Pacific will play a key role in creating a stronger connection between Fanatics and the region’s growing sports fandom.
“Fanatics has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years and I could not be more excited to accelerate the momentum in our international operations,” added Davis. “Fanatics’ innovative approach to growing the licensed sports industry will allow many of the world’s top sports brands and clubs to connect more deeply with their fans through increased assortments, the ability to provide real-time, on-demand items and added global distribution points that will put gear in people’s hands faster than ever before.”