What Happened to Jeff Webb?
Jeff Webb was an American entrepreneur and the visionary behind modern cheerleading, founding Varsity Spirit and the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) in 1974, which grew into the multi-billion dollar Varsity Brands. He also established the International Cheer Union (ICU), successfully advocating for cheerleading's global recognition and its path to Olympic inclusion. Webb passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 76, due to complications from a fall.
Quick Answer
Jeff Webb, the influential founder of Varsity Spirit and the Universal Cheerleading Association, died on March 19, 2026, at 76 years old. He is widely credited with transforming cheerleading from a sideline activity into a globally recognized competitive sport and a multi-billion dollar industry. In his later years, he focused on leading the International Cheer Union, which achieved full recognition from the International Olympic Committee in 2021, and was also involved in conservative media.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Dallas, Texas
Jeff Webb was born in Dallas, Texas.
Began working full-time for NCA
After attending the University of Oklahoma, Webb began working full-time for Lawrence Herkimer's National Cheerleaders Association (NCA).
Founded Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) and Varsity Spirit
Webb established the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) and Varsity Spirit, laying the groundwork for modern competitive cheerleading.
Founded International Cheer Union (ICU)
Webb founded the International Cheer Union (ICU) to promote and govern cheerleading globally.
Varsity merged with Herff Jones
Varsity Spirit merged with Herff Jones, a company specializing in educational recognition products, expanding its market reach.
Became President and CEO of Varsity Brands
Following the merger and acquisitions, Webb assumed the role of President and CEO of the newly formed Varsity Brands.
Stepped down as CEO of Varsity Brands; ICU recognized as world governing body
Webb stepped down as CEO of Varsity Brands. In the same year, the International Cheer Union (ICU) was recognized as the world governing body for cheerleading.
Bain Capital acquired Varsity Brands for $2.8 billion
Private equity firm Bain Capital acquired Varsity Brands in a deal valued at approximately $2.8 billion.
Joined Human Events as senior news editor
Webb began a new venture in conservative media, joining Human Events as a senior news editor and co-publisher.
Stepped down as Chairman of Varsity Brands
Webb transitioned from his full-time role as Chairman of Varsity Brands to dedicate more focus to the global expansion of cheerleading through the ICU and his political initiatives.
ICU achieved full recognition by the International Olympic Committee
Under Webb's leadership, the International Cheer Union (ICU) received full recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a major milestone for the sport.
Spearheaded Human Events' takeover of The Post Millennial
Webb led Human Events' acquisition of the Canadian online news magazine, The Post Millennial, further expanding his conservative media footprint.
Judge found plausible claim for gross negligence in lawsuits
A federal judge ruled there was a plausible claim for gross negligence against Webb in several federal lawsuits related to an alleged culture of sex abuse within the cheerleading industry.
Appeared on 'The Cheer Mom Podcast'
Webb was a special guest on 'The Cheer Mom Podcast,' where he discussed his journey in cheerleading and the sport's evolution and international growth.
Died at age 76
Jeff Webb passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 76, due to complications from a severe head injury sustained in a pickleball accident.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Jeff Webb, born on January 19, 1950, in Dallas, Texas, became a pivotal figure in the world of cheerleading. His journey began while he was a yell leader at the University of Oklahoma and working for the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA). In 1974, Webb founded the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) and Varsity Spirit from his apartment, aiming to professionalize and expand the sport beyond traditional sidelines.
Under Webb's leadership, Varsity Spirit rapidly grew, eventually acquiring NCA and other entities. In 2012, Varsity merged with Herff Jones, a manufacturer of educational recognition products, and later acquired BSN Sports, forming the comprehensive Varsity Brands. This consolidation created a dominant force in the cheerleading and school spirit industry, with annual revenues exceeding $1.8 billion and over 8,000 employees. Webb served as President and CEO of Varsity Brands until 2016 and remained Chairman until December 31, 2020.
A key turning point in Webb's career was his dedication to the global advancement of cheerleading. He founded the International Cheer Union (ICU) in 2004, serving as its president. The ICU became the world governing body for cheerleading in 2016 and achieved full recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2021, a significant step towards potential Olympic inclusion for the sport. This effort was a primary focus after he stepped down from his full-time responsibilities at Varsity Brands in 2020.
Beyond cheerleading, Webb also ventured into conservative media. He joined Human Events as a senior news editor in 2020 and co-published the website. In 2022, he spearheaded Human Events' takeover of the Canadian online news magazine, The Post Millennial. However, his career was not without controversy; Varsity Brands faced criticism for alleged monopolistic practices in the cheerleading market. Furthermore, in June 2023, a federal judge found a plausible claim for gross negligence against Webb in lawsuits related to an alleged culture of sex abuse within the American cheerleading industry.
As of March 2026, Jeff Webb's most recent status is his passing. He died on March 19, 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 76. The cause of death was complications from a severe head injury sustained two weeks prior in a fall while playing pickleball. His family made the decision to remove him from life support. His death marked the end of an era for the cheerleading world, with many tributes acknowledging his profound impact on the sport.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Jeff Webb made different choices?