Topper (brand)
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sportswear |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Alpargatas Argentina |
| Headquarters | São Paulo , Brazil |
Area served | South America (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina) |
| Products | Footwear, clothing, sports accessories |
| Owner | BR Sports |
Topper is a sportswear brand originating from Argentina, now owned by the Brazilian firm BR Sports, with its main office located in São Paulo. The company mainly serves the South American market, holding a strong presence in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. Its product portfolio encompasses a wide variety of items such as footwear, clothing, and sports accessories.
Established in 1975 by Alpargatas Argentina to rival international sneaker brands, Topper has traditionally offered gear designed for football, basketball, rugby, tennis, and volleyball.
History
Topper was introduced by Alpargatas—Argentina’s foremost textile producer since 1885—with the brand name inspired by the dog of then-company president Eduardo Oxenford. The brand’s early popularity stemmed from a canvas sneaker model that became an iconic item within Argentina.
Throughout the 1980s, Topper solidified its position as a leading Argentine sportswear label by securing sponsorship agreements with clubs such as Independiente, Ferro Carril Oeste, and Estudiantes de La Plata. These collaborations aligned with numerous championship victories in both football and basketball.
In more recent years, Topper has outfitted Argentina’s national teams in basketball and volleyball while renewing contracts with clubs including Independiente and Estudiantes. Additionally, it partnered with Racing Club de Avellaneda, Newell's Old Boys, and rugby teams San Isidro and Hindú. From 2000 until 2003, Topper served as the official kit supplier for the Argentina national rugby union team (Los Pumas).
In 2007, São Paulo Alpargatas (then part of Camargo Corrêa) acquired Alpargatas Argentina, thereby bringing Topper under Brazilian ownership.
In 2012, Topper initiated legal action against Estudiantes de La Plata for allegedly breaching their sponsorship agreement after the club switched to Adidas despite an active contract with Topper. The lawsuit involved claims amounting to ARS 13 million; Adidas had entered into a three-year contract reportedly worth US$3 million. Topper invoked a clause obliging Estudiantes to maintain their sponsorship if rivals matched contractual terms.
In 2018, Alpargatas Brazil divested Topper to BRS Comercio e Industria de Material Esportivo SA for R$40 million. BRS is an investment holding company led by Carlos Wizard Martins. This transaction also included licensing rights for the Topper brand in markets such as the United States and China.
Products
Topper offers a variety of products in Argentina and Brazil across several categories:
| Sport/Category | Product Range |
|---|---|
| Football | Balls, boots |
| Basketball | Balls |
| Casual wear | T-shirts, polo shirts, pants, shorts, hoodies, leggins, jackets, sneakers, boardshorts |
| Accessories | Bags, shin guards, hats, backpacks |
Past sponsorships
Topper has supported numerous teams and organizations across South America:
Associations
- Série B, Série C, Série D
- Copa Nordeste
- Federação de Futebol do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FERJ)
- Federação Gaúcha de Futebol (FGF)
National Teams
- Brazil (1981–1991)
Club Teams
- Prominent Argentine clubs include Boca Juniors (1996), River Plate (1980–1981), Racing Club (1995–1997, 2001–2005, 2014–2016), Newell's Old Boys (2005–2015), and Vélez Sarsfield (1986–1987, 2004–2008, 2011–2015)
- Brazilian clubs represented are Atlético Mineiro (2010–2012, 2017–2018), Botafogo (1999–2001, 2016–2019), Corinthians (1980–1989, 1999–2002), Cruzeiro (1984–1985, 1998–2005), Grêmio (2011–2014), Internacional (2000–2005), and São Paulo (2003–2005)
- Bolivian teams such as Jorge Wilstermann (1994–1998), Oriente Petrolero (1993–1994), and The Strongest (1998–1999)
- Chilean clubs including Curicó Unido (1996–1998) and Deportes La Serena (2005, 2012)
- Colombian teams América de Cali (1997–1999) and Independiente Santa Fe (1997–1999)
- Paraguayan sides Cerro Porteño (2001–2003), Nacional (1991–1995), and Olimpia (1982, 1995–2003)
- Uruguayan clubs Nacional (1986–1988, 1993–1995) and Peñarol (1987–1988)
- Additional representation includes clubs from Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, and Japan
Players
National Teams
- Brazil (1979–1997, 2002–2006)
Club Teams
- Botafogo
- Franca
- Atenas
- Ferro Carril Oeste (1979–1997)
- Peñarol (1991–2000)
- Gimnasia y Esgrima LP (1980–1984)
Associations
- Brazil (2010–2021)
National Teams
- Argentina (2000–2003)
- Brazil (2010–2021)
Club Teams
Associations
Players
- David Nalbandian
- Diego Schwartzman
- Guillermo Vilas
- José Acasuso
- Juan Ignacio Chela
- Martín Vassallo Argüello
- Davis Cup national team
- Facundo Argüello
- Fernando Meligeni
- Caio Zampieri