Title Nine (clothing)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Athletic apparel |
| Founded | 1989 in Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Founder | Lillian "Missy" Park |
| Headquarters | Berkeley, California , United States |
Area served | United States (West Coast and Midwest) |
Key people | Lillian "Missy" Park (Founder) |
| Products | Athletic apparel, women's fitness wear, sports bras, hockey equipment, batting helmets, bicycles |
Number of employees | Predominantly female athletes (exact number not specified) |
| Website | www |
Overview
Title Nine is a U.S.-based producer specializing in athletic apparel and women's fitness wear, particularly recognized for its sports bras and personalized fitting services. It stands as the largest independently operated retailer focusing exclusively on women's activewear. As of 2020, the company maintained approximately twenty retail locations, predominantly situated along the West Coast and in the Midwest. The brand name exemplifies a trend where organizations adopt titles derived from specific legal codes or treaty sections, a practice described by Zachary Elkins as "chapter-verse branding."
History and Founding
Established in 1989 by Lillian "Missy" Park in Berkeley, California, Title Nine originated from Park’s experience as a collegiate basketball player at Yale University benefiting from the provisions of Title IX. Born in 1962, Park belonged to the first generation of women who attended high school and college following the enactment of Title IX legislation. During her athletic career, she often had to wear men's basketball shorts and shoes that were ill-fitting and uncomfortable. This challenge inspired her to create a company dedicated to providing women with workout clothing designed for comfort and performance.
Business Model and Operations
Initially launched as a mail-order business serving the Bay Area, Title Nine is led by female executives and employs predominantly female athletes. The company features actual female athletes as models in its catalogs rather than professional models. While best known for their sports bras, Title Nine also offers a range of athletic gear tailored specifically for women and girls, including hockey equipment, batting helmets, and bicycles. The enterprise became profitable in 1993 and introduced its first website in 1995.
Community Engagement and Support
Title Nine played a role in producing Dandelion, an outdoor magazine targeted toward women, and actively sponsors local fitness groups and running events. The brand annually supports women entrepreneurs through a pitch competition where female-owned businesses vie for the opportunity to have their products retailed on Title Nine’s platform.
Recent Developments
In July 2021, Missy Park announced a donation of one million U.S. dollars from Title Nine to back the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team amid their ongoing fight for equal pay against U.S. Soccer.