"Absolutely killed it" When Shark Tank's Mark Cuban invested in Gameday Couture 

Standing in the Dallas Mavericks' merchandise store at American Airlines Center, Mark Cuban couldn't hide his satisfaction. He said with a smile, gesturing at a wall full of stylish women's sports apparel:

"They absolutely killed it,"

The products were from Gameday Couture, a company he'd invested in after their 2014 appearance on ABC's Shark Tank.

The story began when Shawnna and Kurt Feddersen spotted a gap in the market: fashionable sportswear for female fans. Their company, Gameday Couture, aimed to replace basic team shirts with chic, design-forward options that women wanted to wear.

When they walked into the Shark Tank seeking $500,000 for 20% equity, they had no idea they'd catch the attention of the Mavericks' owner himself - or that their partnership would lead to millions in sales and a transformation of the women's sports apparel industry.

What happened during Gameday Couture’s Shark Tank pitch?

The Feddersens came prepared with impressive numbers. In just three years, they'd grown from $750,000 to $1.25 million in annual sales. Their production costs were lean - $8 per item - while retail prices hit around $44, showing healthy margins that caught the Sharks' attention.

But it was their market insight that turned heads. Female sports fans had limited options for showing team spirit with style. The Feddersens weren't just selling clothes; they were solving a problem that even Cuban's wife had complained about.

While other Sharks circled away, Mark Cuban saw an opportunity. He offered $500,000 for 30% of the company, with one condition: they had to create designs for Dallas Mavericks fans. When Shawnna mentioned she already had designs ready, the deal with Mark Cuban was sealed faster than a fast-break layup.

The results spoke for themselves. Within a year of the deal, Gameday Couture hit $6 million in sales. But Mark Cuban, true to form, pushed for more. He announced, noting their presence in 700 stores wasn't enough:

"I want to see them reach $25 million in sales,"

The company kept scoring. By 2020, they'd secured an NBA-wide license and partnerships with 1,500 colleges. Their products now fill racks at Dick's Sporting Goods and over 2,500 stores nationwide. They've even expanded beyond sports with Social House, an everyday apparel line launched in 2020.

Mark Cuban’s contributions to Gameday Couture

While Mark Cuban's involvement opened doors, the Feddersens remained the driving force behind their success.

"It opened a few doors, but luckily, we had already seen so much growth that we have been really fortunate to not necessarily need his help so far," Shawnna told Tulsa People in 2019.

Elaborating:

"He's there if we need him and he's excellent. He gives great advice, and he lets us run our business how we like."

The partnership exemplifies the best of Shark Tank deals - an investor who provides resources and connections while letting entrepreneurs maintain their vision. As one YouTube commenter noted, "They got the right partner." Looking at Gameday Couture's trajectory from startup to industry leader, it's hard to disagree.

Today, with 75,000 Instagram followers and constant product launches timed to major sporting events, Gameday Couture shows no signs of slowing down. The Feddersens remain all-in, with Shawnna as CEO and Kurt as President, proving that sometimes the best game plan is staying true to your original vision - just with a bigger team behind you.

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Shark Tank airs on Fridays at 8 PM ET on ABC, with all episodes available on Hulu.