Academy Sports + Outdoors and Whataburger are teaming up again for a new collaboration just in time for football season.
Curated with the entire family in mind, the lineup includes an exclusive co-branded Hey Dude shoe as well as jerseys, hats, shirts, drinkware, coolers, wagons, tables, chairs, blankets and outdoor games.
The Katy, Texas-based retailer noted that all of the products feature “new designs that take the iconic colors and some of the most recognizable details from both Academy and Whataburger to create a functional – and fun – way to deck out your tailgate.”
Matt McCabe, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Academy Sports + Outdoors, said in a statement that the retailer is “all about helping fans gear up for gameday and having fun while they’re at it.”
“This collaboration brings together two fan-favorite brands to deliver a fun collection for the entire family,” McCabe said. “No matter who you’re rooting for, fun can’t lose when you’re decked out in the new Academy and Whataburger tailgate collection.”
“When you think of Texas, you think of football—so teaming up with Academy for a third campaign just in time for the season made perfect sense,” Rachael Jones, group director of CPG and retail marketing at Whataburger Group, added. “This collaboration brings a fresh take on tailgating and gives fans a fun way to work both iconic brands into their fall traditions.”
This is the third collaboration for Academy Sports + Outdoors and Whataburger, following a summer collection in 2023 and outdoor collection in 2021 with Academy’s private brand, Magellan Outdoors.
The duo’s latest tie-up is now available in-store at Academy Sports + Outdoors, and online at Academy.com and Whatastore.
This new collection drops just one day after Hey Dude sister brand Crocs announced its new multi-year licensing agreement with the National Football League to release the first-ever NFL x Crocs collection.
Crocs noted on Monday that the new collection will center around the brand’s bestselling Classic Clogs as well as Jibbitz charms that “capture the passion and personality of NFL team fandom.”
The initial drop of the NFL x Crocs collection will include footwear for 14 teams.