Travis Kelce’s Super Bowl catchphrases score big for KC merch makers, driving business into the end zone
February 8, 2023 | Channa Steinmetz
Editor’s note: The following is part of a multi-story feature profiling Kansas City small businesses reaping wins thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 Super Bowl bid. Click here to read more from this limited series.
When the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce opens his mouth, fans roar, social media lights up, and makers across the city find quick — and profitable — inspiration. Add in a run for the Super Bowl, and it’s enough to pull many creative small businesses out of the post-holiday lull in shopping, said Vu Radley.
Vu Radley and Mark Launiu, MADE MOBB, with Launiu’s daughter, Elise
“The first quarter of the new year is usually really slow for local businesses, so thank you to the Chiefs for putting it all on the line every year,” said the co-founder of MADE MOBB, noting New Year’s resolutions often put a crimp in Kansas Citians’ appetite for spending — sacking many retailers.
“When the Chiefs do good, the city does good. It’s a great time for us to be able to shine and show our creativity,” added Radley, who co-owns the streetwear apparel brand alongside Mark Launiu and Jesse Phouanphet.
With the Kansas City Chiefs heading to Super Bowl LVII this Sunday after securing the AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals, small business owners didn’t hesitate in getting off the sidelines.
MADE MOBB design
A viral soundbite of Chiefs’ tight end Kelce shouting “Burrowhead my ass” found its way onto hoodies and T-shirts. Within 20 minutes of Kelce’s comment, MADE MOBB had a design mocked up and an email sent out to followers — one of two popular designs from the brand inspired by Kelce’s colorful commentary after the game.
“MADE MOBB’s been doing this for the past 10 years — even when the Chiefs weren’t at the top of their game — so we have this cool movement between us owners,” Radley said. “We are able to read each other’s minds with what’s going on. I had the design ready; Jesse pushed it through marketing and ads; and then Mark had it going on social media.”
In 2022, MADE MOBB partnered with the Chiefs for a limited edition collection that allowed them to temporarily use the official Chiefs logo and licensing. With a majority of small businesses not having access to official licensing, designers have to be creative, Radley said.
In addition to MADE MOBB, Kelce-inspired shirts popped up online and at a number of local makers and shops, from Wasteland Society and Commandeer to The Bunker and Raygun. Designs capitalizing on the Chiefs Super Bowl run also were released by Charlie Hustle, SewKC, and Bellboy, among others.
“We’re in a spot where we can have fun and do silly shit,” Radley said of MADE MOBB’s second Kelce shirt of 2023. “We love wrestling, so we played off the wrestling theme and included Kelce’s ‘Know your role and shut your mouth, Jabroni’ comment. It’s dope that we can be ourselves, and people really respond to it.”
MADE MOBB design
Fans — and customers — might recall Kelce’s memorable “You gotta fight for your right to party!’ moment after the Chiefs secured the AFC title in 2020, paving the way for their successful Super Bowl bid. As in 2023, the line inspired a slew of makers to incorporate the phrase into merchandise, buoying a season of typically slow sales.
MADE MOBB is one of Startland News’ Startups to Watch in 2023. Click here to read why!
Check out the post below for another Kansas City artist and maker, Aaron Norris, who was inspired by one of Travis Kelce’s AFC playoffs one-liners.
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2023 Startups to Watch
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