Key Insights:
- Jeff Webb, widely known as the “father of modern cheerleading,” died at 76 after a serious pickleball accident.
- He transformed cheerleading into a multibillion-dollar industry through Varsity Spirit, which once dominated the U.S. market.
- Webb was an early mentor to Charlie Kirk, praising his leadership, intelligence, and potential.
- In his later years, he focused on the International Cheer Union and helped push cheerleading toward Olympic recognition.
Cheerleading pioneer passes away at 76
Jeff Webb, the businessman who reshaped cheerleading into a multibillion-dollar industry, has died at 76 after suffering a serious head injury in an unusual pickleball accident.
Widely regarded as the “father of modern cheerleading,” Webb began his journey at just 24, launching a company in 1974 that would later evolve into Varsity Spirit. In its early days, the business operated out of his apartment before expanding into a dominant force in the industry.
He played a key role in turning cheerleading from a school-side activity into a structured, nationwide enterprise. Webb introduced training camps, organized competitions, established governing bodies, and built a retail arm supplying uniforms, pom-poms, and other essentials.
By 2004, Memphis-based Varsity Spirit was generating more than $150 million annually and held roughly 90% of the U.S. market for cheerleading services and equipment, according to The New York Times.
The sport’s exposure also surged in 1984 when ESPN began broadcasting cheerleading competitions. Reflecting the company’s scale and culture, staff even jokingly referred to Webb’s private jet as “Cheer Force One.”
Varsity Spirit was eventually sold for $1.5 billion in 2014, with Webb stepping away from the business in 2020.
Early influence on Charlie Kirk
Beyond business, Webb was known for mentoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk during his early years. The two met when Kirk was 24, with Webb later expressing admiration for his character and leadership qualities.
“He had incredible drive. I was struck by his maturity and intelligence — he clearly had strong leadership potential,” Webb said in an interview with One America News Network.
Following Kirk’s death, Webb paid tribute in an interview with Real America’s Voice, describing him as someone who “had it all — charisma, faith, and respect for others,” and suggesting the United States may have “lost a future president.”
Final chapter and Olympic ambition
After stepping back from Varsity, Webb dedicated his time to the International Cheer Union, which he also founded. In his later years, he focused on elevating cheerleading onto the Olympic stage.
When the International Olympic Committee granted the sport provisional recognition in 2016, Webb described it as the “culmination of my life’s work.”
In a tribute video shared by Varsity Spirit, he reflected on his journey: he considered himself fortunate to turn an idea into a global movement, supported by people who believed in and helped build his vision.
