US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Jeff Webb, Founder of Varsity Spirit, Has Died
Jeff Webb pioneered modern cheerleading's athletic style and built Varsity Spirit into a multibillion-dollar global industry, transforming the sport's competitiveness and visibility.
- Varsity Brands announced on March 19, 2026, that Jeff Webb, founder of Varsity Spirit, died from complications after a fall, with updated reports on March 20, 2026 confirming his passing.
- Jeff Webb left plans for law school to join the National Cheerleading Association and founded the Universal Cheerleaders Association, later evolving into Varsity Spirit.
- By turning cheer into a business, Varsity Spirit commercialized competitive cheer into a multinational 'Cheer Empire', making Memphis a hub while securing contracts and a long ESPN partnership.
- Varsity Brands said in its March 19 statement that Jeff Webb helped shape modern cheerleading and grew the sport globally through work with the International Cheer Union and IOC recognition.
- Beyond business growth, Varsity and affiliated companies faced lawsuits, and Webb was linked to Charlie Kirk as a mentor, described as 'John D. Rockefeller with glitter,' the Times wrote.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions
15 Articles
15 Articles
Charlie Kirk’s 'mentor’ dies after 'suffering head injury following a fall'
Jeff Webb owned and operated several right-wing websites and was known as Charlie Kirk’s 'mentor' - he is also credited as being the father of competitive, modern cheerleading in the USA
·London, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 31%
C 46%
R 23%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
