WHATAGAME

Academy and Whataburger team up for game-day tailgate collection

Whataburger is rah-rahing a new tailgate collab with Academy.

Photo courtesy of Academy Sports + Outdoors.

It has sashayed down the runway, walked the aisle, and gone glamping; now San Antonio-based Whataburger is trying its hand at sports. On Tuesday, August 19, the cultish fast-food chain debuted a new tailgate collection with Academy Sports + Outdoors.

The limited-edition drop includes all the essentials for armchair quarterbacking, including jerseys, hats, drinkware, wagons, fold-up tables and chairs, blankets, and outdoor games. Want to walk to the porta-potties in comfort? Slip on a pair of cushy HeyDude Whataburger shoes.

"When you think of Texas, you think of football — so teaming up with Academy for a third campaign just in time for the season made perfect sense," said Whataburger Group Director of CPG & Retail Marketing Rachael Jones, in a release. "This collaboration brings a fresh take on tailgating and gives fans a fun way to work both iconic brands into their fall traditions."

Now celebrating its 75th anniversary, Whataburger has transcended its burger shack roots to become a fully fledged lifestyle brand. While its wares are less likely to have resale value than Fendace, it has worked with some of Texas' most iconic labels, including Chubbie's, Texas Standard, Jon Hart, and Yeti. It has even brought prep school staple Vineyard Vines into the mix.

The tailgating collection is the third time the burger chain has worked with Academy, headquartered in the Houston suburb of Katy. In 2021, the sporty store rolled out a line of performance boat shorts and crew shirts with the athletic outfitter's Magellan brand. Whataburger followed up with a beachy summer collection in 2023.

The current collection will only be available until supplies last. Football fans can find it at Academy stores or at Whataburger's online Whatastore, an essential source for pickleball sets, UFO-themed adult coloring books, and pop-art burger pillows.

"This collaboration brings together two fan-favorite brands to deliver a fun collection for the entire family," said Academy Sports + Outdoors executive vice president and chief merchandising officer Matt McCabe in a statement. "No matter who you're rooting for, fun can't lose when you're decked out in the new Academy and Whataburger tailgate collection."

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Love sports and sports-bar food? Join CultureMap for our big fall sports bash, The Tailgate. Taking place at 8th Wonder on Thursday, September 11, the party will include tailgate-inspired cuisine from local restaurants; premium cocktails; activations and appearances from your favorite Houston teams, including the Texans, Astros, and Dynamo and Dash football clubs; a silent auction of sports memorabilia, and more.

Early-bird tickets are on sale for just $25. Read more about The Tailgate here and nab discounted tickets here. With sponsors like FLIGHT by Yuengling, Puttshack, Mizzen+Main, Sysco To Go, Antone's Famous Po' Boys, and more, this party will score big with everyone. You don't want to stay on the bench.

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fight night

Boxing promoter will build dedicated arena in north Houston

Photo courtesy of PlaceNEW Studios.

Red Owl Boxing currently rents a venue at 12539 Perry for events, but will soon have their own arena.

For the first time in decades, Houston will have a dedicated arena for live boxing. Red Owl Boxing recently announced that it will be open the Owl's Nest in 2027.

“Houston is a phenomenal city for boxing, and an arena of our own allows us to deliver consistency at the highest level in terms of fan experience, fighter experience, and in-house operations,” said Gabriel Fanous, Red Owl Boxing executive chairman, in a statement.

Previously, Red Owl hosted 17 live boxing shows between 2021 and 2025 at a rented venue on Perry Road. This new one, to be located at 2929 FM 1960, will feature several improvements, including a mezzanine level with luxury suites, a green room for content creation, expanded truck bay for television vans, entrance ramps for more dynamic fighter introductions, and a proper box office and concession stand. Its total space will be 25,000 square feet, and it will host 21 live boxing events in between 2027 and the end of 2028.

The new venue also comes with a new face at the top of the promotion. Veteran combat sports and media attorney Greg Bloom has been appointed CEO of Red Owl. Previously, Bloom was CEO at at Bareknuckle Boxing (BKB), where he oversaw a massive expansion promoting fights across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East as well as bringing BKB to several new television markets.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to help lead Red Owl Boxing into its next chapter," said Bloom. "Gabriel Fanous’s forward-thinking business model exemplifies the authentic passion that the company has for the great sport of boxing."

“In Greg Bloom, I have a process-focused leader with ample experience in building combat sports media companies,” said Fanous. “I don’t hire people and tell them what to do. I hire smart people so they can advise me on what to do.”

Red Owl's next live event will be Friday, May 28 at the Archer Music Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Undefeated super featherweight Deonte “Lay ‘Em Down” Brown will take on Yohan Vasquez. The match will be screened lived on DZAN.

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