Team Athletic Goods, Inc. (TAG) in a statement said it will not continue to function as a buying group as of Jan. 1, 2015. The company will instead focus on expanding access to its branded sports products for buyers.
As the industrys first team sports buying group, TAG has purchased sports gear and related products for a network of dealers throughout the Midwest since 1970. In 1979, TAG began offering branded products for athletes of all ages and experience levels, gradually expanding its product selection with an emphasis on shoulder pads and other safety gear. This segment of the business has grown substantially in recent years.
“While weve stayed competitive as a buying group, were currently at a crossroads,” said Philip Rosati Jr., vice president of sales. “Our primary goal is to provide the best possible service for our clients and to support the team dealer network, regardless of their buying group affiliation. We no longer need to position ourselves as a buying group to offer exceptional pricing on high-quality products.”
TAG has offered innovative, safe products for more than three decades, and since the 1980s, the company has operated as one of the most popular shoulder pad brands in the United States. TAG recently moved its distribution activities to a center in Tennessee, which allows the company to efficiently serve buyers throughout the country.
“At TAG, safety and integrity always come first,” said Tim Loudermilk, TAG product manager. “Were excited to re-focus our resources on product development and were confident that ending our activities as a buying group will allow us to serve our clients more effectively.”
