What kind of clothing did the owner of Tapout design and sell?
Tapout is an American business enterprise specializing in producing clothing and miscellaneous gear targeted at the mixed martial arts community, as well as a magazine devoted to mixed martial arts fighting (formerly Bodyguard magazine). Charles Lewis, Jr. (also known as “Mask”) and Dan Caldwell (also known as “Punkass”) founded the company in 1997 in San Bernardino, California. The company is currently based in Grand Terrace. From a gross of $30,000 in 1999, Tapout’s earnings rose to $100 million in 2008. The company has a worldwide network of licensed retailers, including Dillard’s and Champs. In 2007, Tapout launched a reality television series, also called Tapout, on Versus. Each episode follows Mask, Punkass and their third partner, “Skyskrape”, as they scout fighters to add to their sponsorship roster. Tapout signed “Internet legend” Kimbo Slice to a sponsorship deal in 2008. Tapout will be creating an exclusive Kimbo clothing line. On March 11, 2009 Charles Lewis, Jr. was killed
of fighter gear, men’s, women’s, youth and accessories. Tapout sells premium clothing line that has caught the eye of millions of Mixed Martial Arts fans around. Last October 2007, CAA Sports has signed a deal to represent TapouT, in areas including licensing and entertainment. The move provides more proof that Creative Artists Agency’s sports division, which recently signed a landmark deal to represent the New York Yankees in sales and marketing, has a sports business plan beyond representing star athletes, but it also brings a powerful player into a growing sport with a big buzz factor. “TapouT has done an amazing job becoming the premier lifestyle brand synonymous with MMA,” said Howard Nuchow, co-head of CAA Sports. Started in 1993 by a fighter-turned-entrepreneur known as Mask (real name Charles Lewis Jr.) selling T-shirts out of his truck, TapouT will expand into 6,000 retail stores this year. It has expanded its product line to include fighting gear, men’s apparel, women’s appar
