Starter has been part of American sports and fan culture since 1971, when David Beckerman launched the company as a sporting goods and apparel business in New Haven, Connecticut. The brand grew quickly from sportswear into licensed professional team apparel, helping turn the Starter jacket into a recognizable part of American sports style. Starter's history includes licensing relationships with MLB, NBA, NHL and eventually NFL, establishing a strong connection between team fandom and everyday fashion.
Today, jackets remain at the center of the Starter identity. The official US collection includes several recognizable formats, including Varsity, Breakaway, Zip Up and Pullover jackets. Current designs range from satin varsity jackets and retro game-day styles to quarter-zips, coaches jackets and lightweight outerwear.
Starter's licensed collections cover major American sports, with apparel representing the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA and WNBA. Fans can find team jackets, jerseys, hoodies, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and other game-day pieces designed around professional and college teams.
The brand also extends beyond traditional team merchandise. Starter's current product assortment includes basketball shorts, tanks, joggers, hoodies, graphic T-shirts, sweatshirts and headwear, giving the label a broader sportswear and streetwear presence. The Starter Brand Collection also includes women's pieces such as tank dresses and cardigan sweaters.
Starter's appeal comes from the way it connects sport, nostalgia and contemporary fan fashion. From a classic varsity jacket worn on game day to a team hoodie or retro-inspired streetwear piece, the brand provides multiple ways for fans to represent the teams and sports they follow.