Exclusive: The Wild Collective's CEO and Founder Whitney Bansin Says the Company Is 'Redefining Sports Merchandise': 'We Aim to Inspire a New Generation of Fans'

Though Taylor Swift, who is dating Travis Kelce, might have turned more women — and in general, more people — onto sports, this was something that peaked Whitney Bansin's interest five years ago when she saw a gap in the marketplace for female-centric designed sports gear.

From there, Bansin launched The Wild Collective, a fashion-forward and trendy team product for women and men that can easily transition from casual everyday looks to spirited game day fits.

"I started my career in fashion, hair, makeup and styling where I specialized in curating distinctive looks for celebrities and clients globally. In 2014, I began designing unique fashion apparel and accessories which really ignited my passion for designing. Every piece that is created for The Wild Collective incorporates current style trends and is crafted with premium fabrics, which is a testament to our commitment to those who wear our pieces," Bansin exclusively tells Morning Honey.

"In the beginning, I was very focused on creating products for the women’s category as there was a noticeable need in the market for fashion-forward products that women would want to wear beyond game days. But as I took a deeper dive into the industry, I realized that the unisex and men's categories had similar needs. From there, I set forward on a path to change this and create distinctive pieces that would not only showcase team spirit but also individuals’ personal style," she continues of her journey.

Now, Bansin is shaking up the sports world in the best way. "Our most coveted and often sold out pieces are our Denim Jackets and our Jacquard Sweaters. These statement pieces have quickly become celebrity favorites and worn by Mikal Bridges, Kelce and many others. They’re pieces that can be worn daily to elevate any outfit," she says.

Bansin's original goal after high school was to go to fashion school, but she felt she was too young to move away from home. Instead, she put that dream aside and attended the University of Nevada — Las Vegas where she worked at MAC Cosmetics. "From there I started a beauty agency and entered the beauty industry. Fast forward to years later, I was running the Hair/Makeup/Styling department at Zappos for seven years. I was fully ingrained in the fashion world during this time and always wanted to start my own fashion company where I could showcase my designs," she explains.

"When the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights made their debut in 2017, I saw an opportunity to fill an existing gap in the market for stylish licensed sports apparel which inspired The Wild Collective. I couldn’t believe that there wasn’t more fashion-forward fan gear on the market for fans to wear not only to games but in their day to day as well. The opportunity became clear to me to carve out a new space within the industry," she adds.

Bansin, who has "never worked for anyone" since the age of 19, always knew she was destined to become an entrepreneur.

"I took a sales job for a fashion brand right out of college and I only lasted a week. I came home from a full day in L.A. going from location to location with the brand owner — and she never even stopped to eat. So, I came home to Vegas and the look on my face when my husband (then boyfriend at the time) picked me up from the airport said it all. I knew that it was time for me to pivot and start working for myself which is why I established One Luv Agency, a fashion, hair, makeup and styling agency and later founded The Wild Collective," she admits.

Now, Bansin's apparel is sold in stadiums and is even the official licensed partner of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB and NCAA — something she never imagined would come true. "It still doesn’t feel real! Whenever fans tag us on social media wearing their apparel, I can’t help but share in their excitement. It’s been so amazing to not only see these designs come to life but to also have the opportunity to see how everyone styles each product so differently, really showcasing their individual style," she gushes. "Our first NFL collection with the Las Vegas Raiders has been by far my proudest career moment. To have a full collection available in the brand new home stadium in the same city that my family and I currently live in has meant the world to me. It was that official 'you made it' moment and something that continues to bring me great pride!"

Since females seem more interested in watching sports, she is hopeful The Wild Collective, which is an inclusive brand, will "empower those who wear them and that it makes them feel special as they're able to express their creativity."

"Having the ability to empower women to show their love for sports in an authentic way has meant so much to us. Our designs ensure that every woman, regardless of style or body type, feels represented and reflects their passions," Bansin, who also has a partnership with PacSun, notes. "I think the sports world has seen a huge shift in sports fandom as Taylor has paved the way for a new generation of fans both young and old. In a way she has given sports the 'cool factor' as sports apparel is now popular amongst people who may not have a favorite team or watch games regularly, but they love the style of sports apparel."

She adds: "The success of The Wild Collective over the last years has further underscored the importance of female representation and leadership across sports as fan bases continue to grow and diversify. By elevating women’s perspectives in sports through innovative designs and feminine touches, we aim to create a more inclusive environment. This approach ensures that everyone can express their team pride in a way that feels authentic to them. This fast growth has solidified us as a go-to source for unique sports apparel, fostering a more inclusive environment for all fans. We not only redefine sports merchandise but also aim to inspire a new generation of fans to express their love for sports in fresh and exciting ways, solidifying our position as an industry leader."

As for what the future holds, Bansin is only getting started. "I would love to do a collaboration with both a streetwear brand and a luxury brand. Stüssy has always been top of mind for me from a streetwear perspective. The luxury brand I would love to work with is Louis Vuitton. I have always been a fan of Pharrell Williams and have enjoyed watching the creative direction that he is taking for the fashion house," she says. "There are many collaborations and projects that I would love to get my hands on and dive into further, but I would say that growing the brand internationally and branching into non-licensed fashion apparel are those that come to mind immediately. Our brand has so much more expansion and growth to experience in sports, music and lifestyle — and I’m excited to lead the charge on this journey!"

She continues, "Right now our largest focus is on growing our retail accounts. We have not even scratched the surface of what we can bring to the retail industry, which has made me so excited for what is to come! I see The Wild Collective continuing to grow in popularity and reach new audiences in creative ways. I hope to also continue to inspire other women who are entrepreneurs and share more about my career journey with them."

Even though The Wild Collective has been in business for "years," Bansin is still taking it all in. "I walk into the largest stadiums and arenas across the country, and get to witness seeing entire walls filled with The Wild Collective product. Sports is a very fast paced industry so since the beginning I haven't really been able to pick my head up to really soak it all in as I’m constantly working on the next project or collaboration. Our success has and always will be about the product. Good product sells! Our attention to detail and quality fabrics allow our designs to stand out amongst others in the space. We have created quite the cult following with our silhouettes!" she says.

She concludes, "We’re looking forward to continuing to partner with like minded brands that are focused on bridging the gap between sports and fashion. The Wild Collective has been transformative in the sports apparel space by appealing to a broader audience and inspiring a new generation of fans to express their love for their favorite teams in fresh, exciting ways. I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store as The Wild Collective continues to grow!"