Jeff Webb Speaks Out: A Rare Response to the Cheer Community
Jeff Webb, who typically keeps a low profile in the cheer world, especially within All Star cheer, has made one of his most public statements to date. From my extensive research, this is the most we’ve ever heard from him on any single topic.
Recently, The New York Times Magazine published an in-depth article titled How Cheerleading Became So Acrobatic, Dangerous, and Popular. Like most traditional media does when covering our world, the piece highlights the rising cost of competitive cheer, recent scandals and anti-trust allegations, and of course – us ‘crazy cheer moms.’ Unfortunately, this article, like many others, largely overlooks the athleticism, dedication, and positive aspects of our sport.
The article turns to Jeff Webb, founder of Varsity Brands, referring to him as “John D. Rockefeller with glitter,” and “the Dark Sith Lord of cheer.”
Maybe it was the way the journalist portrayed Jeff Webb, or maybe he just decided it was time to reclaim his story. As Jeff admits, “I haven’t done a great job marketing myself.” Whatever the reason, Webb’s response is a big one: a lengthy open letter to the cheer community.
Jeff’s team reached out to me and called his response a “love letter” to cheer families, and emphasized that he wanted to speak directly to the families at the heart of cheerleading.
Below, you’ll find Jeff Webb’s open letter in its entirety, exclusively shared here on The Cheer Mom Blog.
Want to hear my take on both The New York Times Magazine article and Jeff Webb’s response? Listen to the latest episode of The Cheer Mom Podcast.
