Game One Taps Industry Veteran Matt Kaplan to Spearhead Growth Strategy

SWANTON, Ohio – May 04, 2026 – Game One has made a significant strategic move by appointing Matt Kaplan, a widely respected industry veteran, as its new Chief Strategy & Growth Officer. The appointment signals an aggressive push into the company's next phase of expansion, leveraging Kaplan's extensive experience from his leadership roles at OrderMyGear (OMG) and Under Armour to challenge established players in the competitive team sports and promotional products market.

In his new role, Kaplan is tasked with leading Game One's most critical growth initiatives. His mandate includes spearheading mergers and acquisitions (M&A), expanding the company's sales representative network, and pioneering new revenue channels. This move is a clear declaration of intent from the Ohio-based company to accelerate its market presence and scale its operations nationally.

"Matt brings a unique combination of industry relationships, growth experience, and strategic perspective," said Pat Weber, President and CEO of Game One, in the official announcement. "As we look ahead, we see significant opportunity to expand our reach and build on the momentum we've created. Matt will play a key role in helping us execute that strategy and position Game One for its next stage of growth."

An Architect of Industry Success

Kaplan joins Game One with a formidable reputation built over two decades. Most recently, he served as President of OrderMyGear, where he was instrumental in transforming the firm from an emerging startup into one of the industry's most essential technology platforms. During his tenure, OMG’s client base grew by over 50%, and he was pivotal in expanding the company into new markets by securing major enterprise partnerships. His leadership helped solidify OMG's position as a critical e-commerce solution for dealers and distributors selling customized apparel and gear.

Before his success at OMG, Kaplan spent 16 years at Under Armour, joining when the company had fewer than 100 employees. He held numerous leadership positions, culminating in his role as Director of Sales for Team Sports. He was a key figure in building one of the strongest team businesses in North America, developing a deep understanding of go-to-market strategies and the complex relationships between brands, dealers, and decorators. This unique combination of experience—spanning a global apparel giant and a disruptive tech platform—gives Kaplan a holistic view of the industry's past, present, and future.

Game One's Strategic Playbook

The decision to bring Kaplan aboard aligns perfectly with Game One's established growth model. The company itself was formed in 2018 through the strategic merger of several regional team dealers and is backed by private-equity firm Trivest Partners. Since then, it has pursued a consistent strategy of acquiring smaller dealers, such as Athletic Supply and The Graphic Edge, to consolidate a fragmented market and build a national footprint. This approach has reportedly elevated Game One to become one of the largest athletic supply providers in the industry.

The hiring of a Chief Strategy & Growth Officer with deep M&A and scaling experience indicates that this acquisition-led strategy is about to intensify. Kaplan's expertise is expected to bring a more disciplined and aggressive approach to identifying and integrating new companies, expanding the sales force, and leveraging technology to create efficiencies and new revenue opportunities.

Navigating a Dynamic and Competitive Field

Kaplan enters a market that is both growing and fiercely competitive. Youth team sports participation is on the rise, creating a strong foundational demand for uniforms, apparel, and equipment. However, the landscape is dominated by major players like BSN SPORTS, a division of Varsity Brands, which is also pursuing an aggressive growth strategy through acquisitions and strategic initiatives like its "Club Direct" program aimed at the burgeoning club sports market.

Technology continues to be a major disruptive force, from the e-commerce platforms that streamline team sales—an area where Kaplan is an expert—to the use of data analytics and AI in athlete performance. Game One's ability to integrate modern technology into the traditional team dealer model will be crucial for its long-term success. Kaplan's background at OMG positions him perfectly to lead this charge, potentially focusing on enhancing Game One's digital capabilities to better serve schools, clubs, and organizations across the country.

More Than Just Business

For Kaplan, the move to Game One is more than just a strategic career choice; it's a return to his roots and a deeply personal mission. He has consistently emphasized his passion for the positive impact of team sports on communities and young athletes.

"Team sports have been a constant in my life, both as an athlete and as a dad," Kaplan stated. "There's nothing quite like watching a student-athlete take the field wearing something you helped create. Those moments are what make this industry special. Game One understands that, and they're building something different here. This is the right team, the right time, and I'm excited for what we're going to build together."

This sentiment reflects a belief in Game One's company culture, which he described as a standout in the industry. By aligning his professional ambitions with his personal passion, Kaplan aims to help build a company that is not only a market leader but also a genuine partner to the teams it serves. With Kaplan now helping to call the plays, the industry will be watching closely to see how Game One executes its strategy to win the market.