2020-2021: New Gyms, Closings, And Acquisitions

I love that STAR Athletics is growing they seemingly have a formula that works.


I am hoping for a program to pop up in the Hampton Roads VA area there are very few options but a good amount of talent/

 

You are NOT lying. Very proud of them being from NJ! Blown away by this highlight video from their showcase. (Star Athletics Showcase 2020

 

Same! They are just a bit to far for me to have my daughter compete there. I have friends there and they love it. But I’m not about a cheer commute - I have enough daily commuting!

 

Super late with this response, but you are correct they are permanently closed. It's been 2 or 3 years now I believe.

 

What did this Georgia gym used to be called? I don't mean the actual building, I mean whoever is coaching there had to have come from somewhere. I haven't seen anything about any gym closings or drama in the Atlanta area (actually I'd classify their Georgia location as more Athens than Atlanta), but something had to have happened, like a takeover, breakaway, etc. Do the Atlanta Jayhawks still have two locations? What programs used to be in the Athens area I wonder? I would just be curious to know what these kids and their coaches used to be called.

This is more of a general statement and not directed toward any one program, but the trend where gyms get credit for the work of secondary locations thousands of miles away is an amusing one. From a business perspective, I understand what has happened to our sport, but from a sports competition perspective, I don't find it particularly celebratory... but good for all the owners out there who are doing what they have to do. Yes, technically Stingrays-Michigan is the same name as Stingrays-Marietta Georgia, but I never associated the two together or thought of it as all one gym. What does an NJ gym really have to do with a Georgia one? Probably not much, which is why I'm a bit curious to know where these people are actually from (for lack of a better phrase). Every time Rockstar opens a new location 5 states away, I have the same curiosity, what gym did we just lose? How many fewer gym names are there now as opposed to 10-15 years ago?

Hopefully the Atlanta Jayhawks are still going strong. I haven't seen them on any schedules so far this season but maybe they start later.

 

Looks like they only have one location. Google stated the location in Auburn Georgia is permanently closed.

 

Yes that’s correct but still they have 2. Duluth & Grayson. Haven’t competed yet this season but will soon. (I have a friend at Jayhawks.)

 

I always wonder the same. Is Rockstar NJ the same gym that was their previously with franchised branding and management or is a whole new staff, new management, etc?

 

CEA Richmond posted today that that were closing down one of their 2 gyms in the area.

 

I know that at least two of the STAR coaches formerly coached at Atlanta Jayhawks.

Same building, essentially the same staff & kids with a few new faces brought in.

 

Question:

I wonder how much a gym changes when it becomes a CA, CEA, Rockstar, etc?

WHEN A SMALL GYM BECOMES A LOCATION OF ANOTHER GYM (VIA MERGER OR WHATEVER) -

Do they generally get all new staff?
Or is it basically same staff/gym with Big Gym's name?
Or does it depend on the situation?

ALSO - who maintains ownership of these locations? Are they all individually owned franchises? Does flagship owner have ownership at all? Does it depend on the gym?

 

our gym was a small gym up until the 18-19 season, when it became a location of a big name gym. we kept our staff, with a few new coaches/office people brought in. don't quote me on it, because i'm not 100% sure, but I believe flagship owner and the original owner of small gym share ownership, but i'm not certain. I believe Cheer Athletics locations are individually owned franchises though, so it must depend on the gym then.

 

I think it varies from program to program and possibly gym to gym. It usually is neither a 100% change in staff nor just slapping a logo on the door. It is usually somewhere in between, with some new staff, some change in training, processes, choreo, new look/marketing, etc.

Ownership setup varies from program to program. There are benefits to each style (central or local ownership), but we have chosen to go with each gym being locally owned and operated.