Investment From

Rickitt Mitchell advises Zelus Sport on securing investment from Sullivan Street Partners

- Growth deal

- February 2025

- Value: Undisclosed

Neil Mitchell is delighted to have led the Rickitt Mitchell Team in advising the shareholders and management team of ZELUS Sport

ZELUS Sport is Nike Inc.’s exclusive authorised Global Licensee for Team Sports, specialising in the design, development, manufacturing and e-commerce fulfillment of customised sports apparel

his investment will accelerate and support Zelus' ambitious growth plans and help to strengthen their position in the Global sports apparel market.

About the deal

Neil Mitchell is delighted to have led the Rickitt Mitchell Team in advising the shareholders and management team of ZELUS Sport, NIKE Inc.'s exclusive authorised Global Licensee for Team Sports. The deal saw Zelus secure a significant new investment from private equity firm Sullivan Street Partners to help drive the next phase of growth and accelerate Zelus' business to the next level.

Neil Mitchell, Partner at Rickitt Mitchell commented:-

"Sullivan Street will be a great fit for Dave Seales and the team at Zelus, and there appears to be a real growth story in the sport sector right now."

Layton Tamberlin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Sullivan Street said:-

"Together with Zelus' management team, we look forward to equipping more teams and athletes with top quality products, from local pitches through to professional stadiums."

Rickitt Mitchell advises Zelus Sport on securing investment from Sullivan Street Partners

Client Background

With key operations in the UK and the Netherlands, Wilmslow based Zelus Sport is Nike Inc.’s exclusive authorised Global Licensee for Team Sports, specialising in the design, development, manufacturing and e-commerce fulfillment of customised sports apparel and equipment for professional and grassroots teams globally. Working strategically across multiple sports, Zelus deliver world leading products and services in alignment with Nike’s global strategy

This investment will accelerate and support Zelus' ambitious growth plans and help to strengthen their position in the Global sports apparel market.

The Rickitt Mitchell team advising on the deal was led by Neil Mitchell and James Kidner.

“

“We worked with Rickitt Mitchell to identify a suitable partner to invest in Zelus Sport and work with existing shareholders on an exit. Neil and James delivered a great result by delivering and executing a competitive process that saw both international private equity houses and US trade acquirers vying for the opportunity to invest. Rickitt Mitchell helped to deliver a transaction from a value perspective but even more importantly for us, from a strategic and cultural fit perspective.”

”