What took Whataburger and Magellan Outdoors so long to combine efforts? This is the apparel line we were waiting for.
Whataburger and Magellan, the Academy Sports + Outdoors in-house apparel brand, have released a new line of shirts, shorts, and hats that are sure to be a hit.
It's like this was an inevitability. Two great brands, birthed in Texas and joining forces for the kind of lifestyle apparel we can all appreciate. It might seem a little silly for someone unfamiliar with the legend that is Whataburger, but that bright orange color is like a beacon to those of us who've lived in Texas, or even just driven through once or twice. You can't travel for too long in this state without seeing another Whataburger, and the same could be said for Academy.
I'll tell you what, when I saw this box at my doorstep with a few pieces from the collection, I couldn't stop smiling. It was just so perfect!
The line of breathable, angling-oriented clothing takes inspiration from the fast food restaurant's decor and menu items, and it consists of short sleeve and long sleeve fishing shirts, boat shorts, and caps. My personal favorite is the Hooked on Whataburger Long Sleeve Shirt, depicting a nice-sized fish about to lock down on a order of fries that's attached to a fishing line. It makes me wonder if that might actually work...
"We had fun working with Academy and their Magellan Outdoors brand to design Whataburger apparel we know our fans will be hooked on," said Rich Scheffler, Whataburger Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer as part of the official news release announcement. "We hope our Family Members and fans enjoy hitting the waterways sporting some of these brand-new items."
The gear will only be available for a limited time, and for those who spend $20 or more in-store on products within the collection, they add on a free, special-edition Whataburger and Magellan Outdoors table tent, just like the ones you get while you wait for your Whataburger with cheese and your Honey Butter Biscuit Sandwich.
"This is the first-ever collaboration between Whataburger and Academy Sports + Outdoors' exclusive Magellan Outdoors brand - it's the secret sauce to fishing fashion," said Lawrence Lobpries, Academy Sports + Outdoors' senior vice president of marketing. "We're excited to pair two iconic Texas brands together for a fun summer treat you can only find at Academy."
As someone who spent a good amount of my life living in Corpus Christi, the spot where Whataburger started as a roadside burger stand in 1950, I'm certainly no stranger to their can't-miss food and devotion to good Texan values. I got a kick out of finally finding a way to mention Whataburger on Wide Open Spaces, and lo and behold it's the greatest sort of combination an angler like myself could have hoped for.
Academy is equally as embedded in the Texas culture, and not just for their great gear selection for outdoor enthusiasts. Academy is where I go to get my hunting and fishing license, my kid's little league equipment, and my wife's workout clothes. It's where I stock up on my smoking and grilling supplies and last-minute camping essentials, because they always seem to have what I need. And talk about longevity; Academy has been at it since 1938 when it was founded as a family business, and now has reached 259 stores in 16 states.
Here's to two Texas staples, making a sensible, cool-looking co-branded clothing lie that I'm gonna wear with pride. You can find the Magellan Outdoors x Whataburger apparel at any of the retailer's locations or online at Academy.com/Shop-Whataburger.
NEXT: DEION SANDERS HEADLINES ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS CELEBRITY FISHING TOURNAMENT
