BSN SPORTS Names Former Fanatics and Nike Exec as Chief Commercial Officer

In this newly created role, Avery Jessup will lead BSN SPORTS’ commercial strategy, working closely with leaders throughout the organization to align go-to-market strategies, boost execution across channels, and provide a more integrated and customer-focused commercial approach, the company said.

Farmers Branch-based BSN SPORTS, a leading provider of sporting goods, team apparel, and equipment for schools, clubs, and organizations nationwide and a division of the $4.75 billion company Varsity Brands, has appointed Avery Jessup as chief commercial officer.

In this newly created role, Jessup will lead BSN SPORTS’ commercial strategy, overseeing Sales Operations, Digital and E-commerce, Marketing, Pricing, Licensing, and Customer Experience. He will also work closely with leaders throughout the organization to align go-to-market strategies, boost execution across channels, and provide a more integrated and customer-focused commercial approach, the company said.

Terry Babilla, president of BSN SPORTS, said Avery’s experience as a proven commercial leader with deep experience across digital, retail, and wholesale environments “makes him an ideal fit for the work we’re doing to grow our offerings and meet the dynamic needs of our customers.”

“He brought strong commercial discipline, a proven record of anticipating needs and delivering for customers as well as a collaborative leadership style to his previous roles that will translate well across our team, helping us continue to deliver results and drive sustainable growth,” Babilla added in a statement.

Jessup has nearly 20 years of leadership experience in global consumer and B2B organizations. Most recently, he served as Global Chief Commercial Officer at Fanatics Collectibles, where he directed the commercial strategy for both digital and physical channels and held enterprise-wide accountability for multi-billion-dollar revenue performance. While at Fanatics, he helped deliver record revenue growth, bolstered partner economics, and advanced both data-driven pricing and go-to-market capabilities, BSN said.

Previously, Jessup spent almost a decade at Nike, holding senior leadership roles with the Jordan Brand, including Head of Marketplace, North America, and General Manager of the Men’s business. Earlier in his career, he held a number of leadership roles at Domino’s Pizza, targeting growth, operations, and business development across the Asia-Pacific region.

“BSN SPORTS has built a strong foundation of success, and this next chapter is all about how we take that base and sharpen our commercial execution in a way that better serves schools, coaches, and communities,” said Jessup. “I’m excited to partner with Terry and the entire team to learn more about what works, help advance new ideas and identify ways that we can do even more for our current and future customers.”


Don’t miss what’s next. Subscribe to Dallas Innovates.

Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.

One quick signup, and you’re done.

 

R E A D   N E X T

  • Satish Mehta will oversee Varsity Brands' product and technology strategies, building digital platforms, data-driven experiences, and secure systems. The Farmers Branch-based company was acquired for $4.75 billion in 2024 by NY-based KKR.

  • Michael Fernandez joins the Plano-based retail organization—formed in January through the mega-merger of JCPenney and SPARC Group—to lead commercial expansion and deepen brand partnerships across a portfolio that includes Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Nautica, Lucky Brand, and more.

  • Uptown Brands aims to help founders have a smoother path between vision and execution. The platform combines investment and integrated marketing support to help brands launch faster, with fewer handoffs and greater accountability. Consumers of those Uptown Brands' companies will find stronger storytelling, more consistent experiences across channels, and brands that grow without losing what made them resonate in the first place, the agency said. "Uptown Brands operates on the simple belief that when we commit to building a brand, we invest alongside it and put real skin in the game," said Joseph Alexander, president and CEO of The Uptown…

  • The merger unites two highly complementary brands, augmenting PlayMetrics’ modern technology platform with the scale, reach, and capabilities of Plano-based Stack Sports "to better serve the evolving needs of sports organizations worldwide," the companies said.

  • Shawn Colo brings a two-decade track record of success as an operator, investor, and entrepreneur building and growing businesses to Fort Worth-based Teton Ridge, which owns The Cowboy Channel and the Cowgirl Channel.