Schutt Sports

Schutt is a Litchfield, Illinois-based sporting company that develops American football, baseball, and softball equipment.[1]

Schutt Sports logo

History
Schutt Sports protective gear in use by the U.S. Marines

The company was established in 1918 as a basketball hoop and dry line developer. It created the first football faceguard in 1935.[2] In 2008, competitor Riddell sued Schutt for infringing on three patents. The three products identified were branded by Schutt under the names "DNA", "ION", and "AIR XP".[3] Two years later, the company sued Riddell, also for patent-infringement. However, Schutt ended up losing in the lawsuit, forcing them to file bankruptcy.[4] Despite this, football helmets and facemask sales in 2011 increased by 15%.[5] After the bankruptcy, Platinum Equity acquired the assets of the company.[6]

While Schutt was able to emerge from its initial bankruptcy filing and secure new business, such as a 2018 deal with Major League Baseball to supply bases, home plates and pitching rubbers,[7] the company was not able to withstand the damage to its business wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 18, 2020, Kranos Corporation, which had done business as Schutt Sports, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation.[8] In the petition filed with the court, the company listed $1,219,773 in assets and $58,342,153 in liabilities;[9] as noted by SGI News,[10] the assets consisted entirely of Zamst inventory, a line of sports braces and related sports medicine products that Schutt agreed to distribute exclusively under a multi-year contract with Nippon Sigmax.[11]

Concussion prevention

Schutt has been active in developing equipment to prevent concussions in American football, including creating a device in 2008 for Arena Football League players called the "Shockometer". The device is shaped like a triangle, with an adhesive on one side, that sticks to the helmet. When a player is hit by a g-force of more than 100 g, a light in a capsule on the device will flash red. However, fan activity could potentially affect the device.[12]

In 2012, the company developed a helmet line called "Vengeance", which the company stated will give players "the opportunity to face their foes head-on."[13] Critics and doctors questioned the model's marketing, saying that the statement, as well as the name, can give the wrong message. However, Schutt CEO Robert Erb stated that the name stems from the competition between Schutt and Riddell, and that the name will not appear on the helmet.[14]

WARNING

Keep your head up. Do not butt, ram, spear or strike an opponent with any part of the helmet or faceguard. This is a violation of football rules and may cause you to suffer severe brain or neck injury, including paralysis or death and possible injury to your opponent. Contact in football may result in Concussion/Brain Injury which no helmet can prevent. Symptoms include loss of consciousness or memory, dizziness, headache, nausea or confusion. If you have symptoms, immediately stop and report them to your coach, trainer and parents. Do not return to a game or contact until all symptoms are gone and you receive medical clearance. Ignoring this warning may lead to another and more serious or fatal brain injury.

NO HELMET SYSTEM CAN PROTECT YOU FROM SERIOUS BRAIN AND/OR NECK INJURIES INCLUDING PARALYSIS OR DEATH. TO AVOID THESE RISKS, DO NOT ENGAGE IN THE SPORT OF FOOTBALL.

— Warning label on the back of Schutt-developed football helmets[15]

Equipment usage

The company's basketball equipment has been used by various athletic associations; the company's rims are the official rims of the SEC men's and women's basketball tournaments. The company is the sponsor of the Illinois High School Association Schutt Sports Slam Dunk Spectacular dunk contest. The Philadelphia 76ers frequently use Schutt's equipment during their summer camps, and is the preferred equipment of the Missouri Valley Conference.[16] The company also develops equipment for the United States men's national softball team/women's softball teams, and developed the Aqua Tech helmet in 2012 for the women's team.[17]

See also

References
  1. "Schutt Sports, Litchfield, IL". Manta.com. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  2. "Our Portfolio – Schutt Sports". Platinum Equity. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  3. "Files Patent Infringement Action Against Schutt Sports". Riddell. December 10, 2008. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  4. McCarty, Dawn (September 7, 2010). "Schutt Sports Files Bankruptcy, Seeks Bar to Riddell Patent Suit Damages". Bloomberg. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  5. Landis, Tim (September 23, 2011). "Schutt Sports says it's growing again". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  6. "Platinum Equity Acquires Schutt Sports". Platinum Equity. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  7. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180301006629/en/Schutt-Sports-Extends-Partnership-with-Major-League-Baseball
  8. https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-operator-of-sporting-gear-maker-schutt-sports-files-for-liquidation-11608599932
  9. https://www.law360.com/articles/1339737/schutt-sports-affiliates-file-ch-7-in-del-with-58m-debt
  10. http://www.sginews.com/EMS_Base/EMS_Excerpt.aspx?tTargetUrl=/Content/schutt-sports-parent-files-for-bankruptcy.aspx
  11. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181115006084/en/Schutt-Sports-Signs-Multi-Year-Distribution-Agreement-with-Zamst
  12. "AFL to test device designed to warn of possible concussions - Orlando Sentinel". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. March 6, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
  13. "Schutt Sport: Vengeance Is Here". Schuttsports.com. January 9, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  14. Dicker, Ron (January 11, 2012). "Vengeance Helmet, Schutt Sports' New Model, Raises Eyebrows". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  15. "How to Properly Fit The Schutt® Helmet Systems" (PDF). Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  16. "Schutt Sports - Basketball Systems - Residential & Institutional Grade". Basketballhoopsonline.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  17. "USA Softball Schutt Sports unveils new USA Softball Women's National Team Aqua Tech helmet for 2012". Usasoftball.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
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