MANHATTAN (KSNT) – State officials confirm a national sports apparel company is permanently closing its facility in Manhattan and laying off more than 70 employees this year.
27 News got in touch with the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) on Wednesday, July 30 regarding a layoff notice posted for a company called SPO Management, LLC. KDC spokeswoman Vera LaClair confirmed the company involved in this layoff notice is Champion Teamwear.
K-State axes LGBTQ+ center amid DEI fallout at Kansas universities
LaClair provided 27 News with a press release from Champion Teamwear showing the company is planning to permanently close its facility in Manhattan located at 520 McCall Road. The company reports that it plans to start the layoffs no earlier than Oct. 3, 2025.
Champion Teamwear General Manager Miranda Hardenburger said in the press release the “difficult decision” is being made to relocate operations away from Manhattan to the Lenexa area and other company facilities. A total of 72 employees will be impacted by this facility closure.
“Due to the nature of the layoff, there will not be any “bumping rights” that would allow an employee the ability to bump or displace another employee from their position.”
Champion Teamwear press release excerpt
Fort Riley axes iconic mounted color guard unit
Champion Teamwear is described as a national provider of custom-embellished uniforms, warm-ups and practice apparel for people in colleges, schools and club sports teams, according to its website. The company is based out of Manhattan and employs nearly 900 people nationwide through its sales team, inside support team and in-house production facility. Unrivaled Teamwear is the parent company of Champion Teamwear.
KANSASWORKS issued the Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice on July 29 for Champion Teamwear in Manhattan. WARN is a federal law requiring employers to give advanced notice to workers when a plant closure or mass layoff is imminent.
Mountain lion sightings rise in Kansas, here’s where they’ve been spotted
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf
