Schutt Sports

Last updated
Schutt Sports, LLC.
Company type Private
Industry Sports equipment
Founded1918
Headquarters,
Area served
Global
Products Football and baseball helmets, jockstraps, shoulder pads, sportswear
OwnerInnovatus Capital Partners
Parent Certor Sports
Website schuttsports.com

Schutt Sports (trade name of Kranos Corporation) [1] [2] was a United States company that manufactured protective gear for several sports, focusing on American football, baseball, softball, and lacrosse. Products manufactured by company, headquartered in Litchfield, Illinois, included helmets and other protections such as jockstraps, and shoulder pads. The company also produced American football sportswear including jerseys and pants.

Contents

Established in 1918 as a basketball equipment manufacturer, during its existence Schutt signed agreements with sports leagues such as Major League Baseball [3] and American Amateur Baseball Congress in the 2010s. [4] [3] Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the company's operations severely so it filed for bankruptcy in December 2020. [1]

History

The company was established in 1918 as a basketball hoop and dry line developer. It created the first football faceguard in 1935. [5] In 2008, competitor Riddell sued Schutt for infringing on three patents. The three products identified were branded by Schutt under the names "DNA", "ION", and "AIR XP". [6] Two years later, the company sued Riddell, also for patent-infringement. However, Schutt ended up losing in the lawsuit, forcing them to file bankruptcy. [7] Despite this, football helmets and facemask sales in 2011 increased by 15%. [8] After the bankruptcy, Platinum Equity acquired the assets of the company in September 2018. [9] In December 2020, it was announced that Innovatus Capital Partners, LLC, had acquired the assets of Kranos Corporation including its brands Schutt, ProGear Shoulder Pads, Tucci Bats, Hollywood Bases and Adams USA. [10]

While Schutt was able to emerge from its initial bankruptcy filing and secure new business, such as a 2018 deal with Major League Baseball to supply bases, home plates and pitching rubbers, [3] the company was not able to withstand the damage to its business wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 18, 2020, Kranos Corporation, which had done business as Schutt Sports, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation. [1] In the petition filed with the court, the company listed $1,219,773 in assets and $58,342,153 in liabilities; [11] as noted by SGI News, [12] the assets consisted entirely of Zamst inventory, a line of sports braces and related sports medicine products that Schutt agreed to distribute exclusively under a multi-year contract with Nippon Sigmax. [13]

Concussion prevention

Schutt has been active in developing equipment to prevent concussions in American football, including creating a device in 2008 for Arena Football League players called the "Shockometer". The device is shaped like a triangle, with an adhesive on one side, that sticks to the helmet. When a player is hit by a g-force of more than 100 g, a light in a capsule on the device will flash red. However, fan activity could potentially affect the device [14] as well as calibration Issues. Proper calibration is essential for accurate g-force measurement. If the sensors are not calibrated correctly or if the calibration process is not performed regularly, it can lead to faulty measurements. [15]

In 2012, the company developed a helmet line called "Vengeance", which the company stated will give players "the opportunity to face their foes head-on." [16] Critics and doctors questioned the model's marketing, saying that the statement, as well as the name, can give the wrong message. However, Schutt CEO Robert Erb stated that the name stems from the competition between Schutt and Riddell, and that the name will not appear on the helmet. [17]

Modern football helmets incorporate several features to reduce the risk of concussions. These include improved padding systems, shock-absorbing materials, and enhanced helmet shells. The padding inside the helmet is designed to mitigate the force of impacts and reduce the acceleration experienced by the brain during a collision. Helmets are crucial in minimizing the risk of head injuries, but they cannot completely eliminate the possibility of concussions. Football remains a contact sport with inherent risks. Therefore, it is essential to complement helmet technology with proper tackling techniques, rule changes, and comprehensive concussion protocols to ensure player safety. [18] [19]

WARNING

Keep your head up. Do not butt, ram, spear or strike an opponent with any part of the helmet or faceguard. This is a violation of football rules and may cause you to suffer severe brain or neck injury, including paralysis or death and possible injury to your opponent. Contact in football may result in Concussion/Brain Injury which no helmet can prevent. Symptoms include loss of consciousness or memory, dizziness, headache, nausea or confusion. If you have symptoms, immediately stop and report them to your coach, trainer and parents. Do not return to a game or contact until all symptoms are gone and you receive medical clearance. Ignoring this warning may lead to another and more serious or fatal brain injury.

NO HELMET SYSTEM CAN PROTECT YOU FROM SERIOUS BRAIN AND/OR NECK INJURIES INCLUDING PARALYSIS OR DEATH. TO AVOID THESE RISKS, DO NOT ENGAGE IN THE SPORT OF FOOTBALL.

Warning label on the back of Schutt-developed football helmets [20]

Helmet technologies

Schutt employs Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) cushioning in their helmets. TPU is a resilient material that offers excellent impact absorption and durability, providing enhanced protection against collisions. They also utilize the SUREFIT Air Liner which is a customizable helmet liner system that utilizes inflatable air bladders. It allows players to adjust the fit of the helmet, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit while minimizing movement and potential injury. Additionally, Schutt integrates D3O, a smart material, into key impact zones of their helmets. D3O is a flexible material that instantly hardens upon impact, dissipating and managing the forces exerted during collisions, thereby reducing the risk of injury. Another very important piece of technology Schutt uses is the Tectonic Plate 3DX Technology. Schutt's Tectonic Plate 3DX technology involves incorporating a multi-layered system in the helmet shell. This design allows for controlled and efficient energy transfer upon impact, providing improved protection against rotational forces and also reducing the risk of concussions. [15] [21]

Sponsorships

The company's basketball equipment was used by various athletic associations; Schutt's rims were the official rims of the SEC men's and women's basketball tournaments. The company was also sponsor of the Illinois High School Association Schutt Sports Slam Dunk Spectacular dunk contest. The Philadelphia 76ers frequently used Schutt's equipment during their summer camps, and was the preferred equipment of the Missouri Valley Conference. [22] Schutts also developed equipment for the United States men's national softball team/women's softball teams, and developed the Aqua Tech helmet in 2012 for the women's team. [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concussion</span> Medical condition

A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a head injury that temporarily affects brain functioning. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness; memory loss; headaches; difficulty with thinking, concentration, or balance; nausea; blurred vision; dizziness; sleep disturbances, and mood changes. Any of these symptoms may begin immediately, or appear days after the injury. Concussion should be suspected if a person indirectly or directly hits their head and experiences any of the symptoms of concussion. Symptoms of a concussion may be delayed by 1–2 days after the accident. It is not unusual for symptoms to last 2 weeks in adults and 4 weeks in children. Fewer than 10% of sports-related concussions among children are associated with loss of consciousness.

Closed-head injury is a type of traumatic brain injury in which the skull and dura mater remain intact. Closed-head injuries are the leading cause of death in children under 4 years old and the most common cause of physical disability and cognitive impairment in young people. Overall, closed-head injuries and other forms of mild traumatic brain injury account for about 75% of the estimated 1.7 million brain injuries that occur annually in the United States. Brain injuries such as closed-head injuries may result in lifelong physical, cognitive, or psychological impairment and, thus, are of utmost concern with regards to public health.

A football helmet is a type of protective headgear used mainly in gridiron football, although a structural variation has occasional use in Australian rules football. It consists of a hard plastic shell with thick padding on the inside, a face mask made of one or more plastic-coated metal bars, and a chinstrap. Each position has a different type of face mask to balance protection and visibility, and some players add polycarbonate visors to their helmets, which are used to protect their eyes from glare and impacts. Helmets are a requirement at all levels of organized football, except for non-tackle variations such as flag football. Although they are protective, players can and do still suffer head injuries such as concussions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health issues in American football</span> Dangers to the health of athletes participating in American football

Health issues in American football comprise a large number of health risks associated with participating in the sport. Injuries are relatively common in American football, due to its nature as a full-contact game. Injuries occur during both practice and games. Several factors can affect the frequency of injuries: epidemiological studies have shown older players can be at a greater risk, while equipment and experienced coaches can reduce the risk of injury. Common injuries include strains, sprains, fractures, dislocations, and concussions. Concussions have become a concern, as they increase the risk of mental illnesses like dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In individual leagues like the National Football League (NFL) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), a public injury report is published containing all injured players on a team, their injury and the game-day status of each player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Contact sport</span> Sport involving physical contact between players

A contact sport is any sport where physical contact between competitors, or their environment, is an integral part of the game. For example, gridiron football. Contact may come about as the result of intentional or incidental actions by the players in the course of play. This is in contrast to noncontact sports where players often have no opportunity to make contact with each other and the laws of the game may expressly forbid contact. In contact sports some forms of contact are encouraged as a critical aspect of the game such as tackling, while others are incidental such as when shielding the ball or contesting an aerial challenge. As the types of contact between players is not equal between all sports they define the types of contact that is deemed acceptable and fall within the laws of the game, while outlawing other types of physical contact that might be considered expressly dangerous or risky such as a high tackle or spear tackle, or against the spirit of the game such as striking below the belt or other unsportsmanlike conduct. Where there is a limit as to how much contact is acceptable most sports have a mechanism to call a foul by the referee, umpire or similar official when an offence is deemed to have occurred.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chronic traumatic encephalopathy</span> Neurodegenerative disease caused by head injury

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated trauma to the head. The encephalopathy symptoms can include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking. The disease often gets worse over time and can result in dementia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell Sports</span> American manufacturer of helmets

Bell Sports is an American bicycle and motorcycle helmet manufacturer. The company is a subsidiary of Vista Outdoor. BRG Sports, owner of Riddell football helmets, sold some of its brands to Vista in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyeshield</span> American football equipment

An eyeshield, also referred to as a visor, is a piece of gridiron football equipment that was invented in the 1980s. In the mid 1990s, as an effort to prevent brain and head injuries, headgear became mandatory in the game of football. The eyeshield was created to protect the eyes of football players during games and practices. It is a curved piece of plastic that attaches to the front of a football helmet. Safety equipment such as the facemask, eyeshields, and other face shields have been adopted over time to prevent player injury. The eyeshield leaves the mouth exposed, but covers the eyes and nose. The piece of equipment is made from various materials and by many different brands. Only clear eyeshields are permitted for use in high school football games because eyes need to be seen while checking for a concussion. For college-level players, the eyeshield may be tinted for players with eye problems.

Professionals and amateurs alike wear protective headgear (helmets) to reduce the chance of injury while playing American and Canadian football. The football helmet has changed over time and many different materials have become available. The rules of the game have changed as well.

Second-impact syndrome (SIS) occurs when the brain swells rapidly, and catastrophically, after a person has a second concussion before symptoms from an earlier one have subsided. This second blow may occur minutes, days, or weeks after an initial concussion, and even the mildest grade of concussion can lead to second impact syndrome. The condition is often fatal, and almost everyone who is not killed is severely disabled. The cause of SIS is uncertain, but it is thought that the brain's arterioles lose their ability to regulate their diameter, and therefore lose control over cerebral blood flow, causing massive cerebral edema.

Riddell Sports Group is an American company specializing in sports equipment for American football. It was headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois. In 2017, the company relocated to a new facility in adjacent Des Plaines, Illinois.

Fenway Partners is an American private equity firm that makes leveraged buyout and growth capital investments in transportation logistics, consumer products, and manufacturing companies in the middle market. In 2002 Fenway acquired the molding equipment and customer base of Premier Tile. The price for the acquisition was $8.25 million. The firm was founded in 1994 by Richard Dresdale and Peter Lamm and has over $2 billion of capital under management. Since its inception, the firm has raised three private equity funds. Fenway's first fund closed on approximately $525 million of capital commitments in 1996 and just two years later, in 1998, the firm raised an additional $900 million of capital. As a result of several investments made in the 1998 fund, before the collapse of the dot-com bubble, performance in that fund was affected. Nevertheless, the firm was able to raise a successor fund in 2006 and 2007 with approximately $700 million of commitments from institutional investors.

Revolution helmets are a line of football helmets produced by Riddell Sports Group. The helmet brand is the most popular model in use in the National Football League, used by 83% of the players in the league as of 2008. The most recent model in the Revolution line is the Speedflex helmet. This model can come equipped with Riddell's HITS Technology, which consists of a sensor in the helmet that relays data regarding the severity of each hit to a computer system. The Speedflex also features a built-in hinged panel located on the front near the top. In head-on collisions, this panel gives by up to a quarter of an inch, helping to absorb the impact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health issues in youth sports</span>

The health issues of youth sports are concerns regarding the health and wellbeing of young people between the ages of 6 and 18 who participate in an organized sport. Given that these athletes are physically and mentally underdeveloped, they are particularly susceptible to heat illness, eating disorders and injury; sufficiently severe conditions can result in death. Awareness and prevention are key factors in preventing many health issues in youth sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prevention of concussions</span>

Prevention of mild traumatic brain injury involves taking general measures to prevent traumatic brain injury, such as wearing seat belts, using airbags in cars, securing heavy furnitures and objects before earthquake or covering and holding under the table during an earthquake. Older people are encouraged to try to prevent falls, for example by keeping floors free of clutter and wearing thin, flat, shoes with hard soles that do not interfere with balance.

Concussions and play-related head blows in American football have been shown to be the cause of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which has led to player deaths and other debilitating symptoms after retirement, including memory loss, depression, anxiety, headaches, stress, and sleep disturbances.

Concussions, a type of mild traumatic brain injury, are a frequent concern for those playing sports, from children and teenagers to professional athletes. Repeated concussions are known to cause neurological disorders, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which in professional athletes has led to premature retirement, erratic behavior and even suicide. A sports-related concussion is defined as a "complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces". Because concussions cannot be seen on X-rays or CT scans, attempts to prevent concussions have been difficult.

A sports-related traumatic brain injury is a serious accident which may lead to significant morbidity or mortality. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in sports are usually a result of physical contact with another person or stationary object, These sports may include boxing, gridiron football, field/ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, rugby, soccer, wrestling, auto racing, cycling, equestrian, rollerblading, skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shock detector</span> Indicator of physical shock or impact

A shock detector, shock indicator, or impact monitor is a device which indicates whether a physical shock or impact has occurred. These usually have a binary output (go/no-go) and are sometimes called shock overload devices. Shock detectors can be used on shipments of fragile valuable items to indicate whether a potentially damaging drop or impact may have occurred. They are also used in sports helmets to help estimate if a dangerous impact may have occurred.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shield-X</span>

Shield-X Technology Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of impact-diverting technology. Shield-X's decal, is designed to enhance helmet performance in contact sports and activities where traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as concussions occur, including American football, ice hockey, and cycling.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Former Operator of Sporting Gear Maker Schutt Sports Files for Liquidation by Aisha Al-Muslim on WSJ, Dec 21, 2020
  2. Kranos Corporation dba Schutt Sports on Bloomberg.com
  3. 1 2 3 Schutt Sports Extends Partnership with Major League Baseball on Businesswire, 1 Mar 2018
  4. SCHUTT SPORTS INKS DEAL TO BECOME OFFICIAL BATTERS HELMET OF AABC on Schutt Sports, 22 Nov 2017
  5. "Our Portfolio – Schutt Sports". Platinum Equity. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  6. "Files Patent Infringement Action Against Schutt Sports". Riddell. December 10, 2008. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  7. McCarty, Dawn (2010-09-07). "Schutt Sports Files Bankruptcy, Seeks Bar to Riddell Patent Suit Damages". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  8. Landis, Tim (2011-09-23). "Schutt Sports says it's growing again". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  9. "Platinum Equity Acquires Schutt Sports". Platinum Equity. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  10. Innovatus Capital Partners Acquires the Assets of Kranos Corporation including Schutt Brand on Businesswire, Dec 23, 2020
  11. Schutt Sports Affiliates File Ch. 7 In Del. With $58M Debt on Law365.com
  12. Schutt Sports parent files for bankruptcy on SGI News, Dec 2020
  13. Schutt Sports Signs Multi-Year Distribution Agreement with Zamst on Businesswire, 15 Nov 2018
  14. "AFL to test device designed to warn of possible concussions - Orlando Sentinel". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  15. 1 2 Bailey, Ann M.; Funk, James R.; Crandall, Jeff R.; Myers, Barry S.; Arbogast, Kristy B. (2021-10-01). "Laboratory Evaluation of Shell Add-On Products for American Football Helmets for Professional Linemen". Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 49 (10): 2747–2759. doi:10.1007/s10439-021-02842-8. ISSN   1573-9686.
  16. "Schutt Sport: Vengeance Is Here". Schuttsports.com. 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  17. Dicker, Ron (January 11, 2012). "Vengeance Helmet, Schutt Sports' New Model, Raises Eyebrows". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  18. Academy, U. S. Sports (2016-02-12). "The War Against Concussions". The Sport Journal. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  19. Ghazi, Kianoosh; Begonia, Mark; Rowson, Steven; Ji, Songbai (2022-11-01). "American Football Helmet Effectiveness Against a Strain-Based Concussion Mechanism". Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 50 (11): 1498–1509. doi:10.1007/s10439-022-03005-z. ISSN   1573-9686.
  20. "How to Properly Fit The Schutt® Helmet Systems" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  21. Dudley, Jonathan A.; Slutsky-Ganesh, Alexis B.; Diekfuss, Jed A.; Avedesian, Jason M.; Yuan, Weihong; DiCesare, Christopher A.; Williams, Brynne; Meehan, William P.; Hill, Destin; Panzer, Matthew B.; DesJardins, John D.; Myer, Gregory D. (2022-11-01). "Helmet Technology, Head Impact Exposure, and Cortical Thinning Following a Season of High School Football". Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 50 (11): 1608–1619. doi:10.1007/s10439-022-03023-x. ISSN   1573-9686.
  22. "Schutt Sports - Basketball Systems - Residential & Institutional Grade". Basketballhoopsonline.com. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  23. "USA Softball Schutt Sports unveils new USA Softball Women's National Team Aqua Tech helmet for 2012". Usasoftball.com. Retrieved 2012-08-15.