Optimal Investment Group and former big leaguer Matt LaPorta have invested in youth baseball apparel and lifestyle brand Dirty Mids, Buying Sandlot has learned.
Terms were not disclosed. OIG partner Harris Roth said his firm and LaPorta’s Wayfinder Capital Partners will help build out staff, expand product line and distribution and explore potential acquisitions and growth into other sports.
Dirty Mids founder T.J. Candella will remain as CEO. He said several other potential buyers or strategic partners approached the company prior to striking the deal — proof of the growing interest in youth baseball and its drip culture. Candella said the vision laid out by LaPorta and Roth — and LaPorta’s ties to the college and professional levels — sold him.
“We’ve built a pretty robust, great business the last three years,” he said. “Things have gone bananas. We reached a natural inflection point where it has grown into a monster, but the question is now where do we go. The natural thing is to bring in the guys who have a whole lot of experience and wisdom. It’s a big day for us.”
The brand’s signature product are pants cut between the calf and ankle — a length traditionally only found in customized MLB uniforms — along with a full range of drip apparel and items.
Dirty Mids hit seven figures in pant sales within in its first year, Candella and Roth said.
Close to 600 Dick’s Sporting Goods locations carry Dirty Mids apparel. The brand is also in over 300 Academy Sports + Outdoors locations, is launching in close to 300 Dunham’s Sports locations next month and has deals with Scheels and other brick-and-mortar stores.
Follow on LinkedIn: Kyle Scott, James Kratch, Kyle Pagan