What to Know
- Meek Mill announced his new investment in the popular sports retailer Lids; becoming the co-owner.
- Williams will also give his unique creative expertise as the new head of creative strategy.
- The first of his many limited-edition, exclusive lines of hats will release this August.
On Wednesday, Robert Rihmeek Williams, better known as Meek Mill, announced his new investment in the popular sports retailer Lids; becoming the co-owner of the largest retail seller of hats and licensed sports products in North America.
Meek Mill joins Fanatics and the investment firm Ames Watson, who acquired Lids in February for $100 million, in the chain’s ownership.
"I've always been a fan of Lids – growing up, I remember buying their hats to match my outfits and look my best," Mill said. "It's amazing to see my relationship with the brand come full-circle and have the opportunity to evolve as a businessman. We have a great team in place and we're looking forward to taking Lids to new heights."
Mill will also serve as the new head of creative strategy. In addition, the first of his many limited-edition lines of hats will be released this August.
“The Lids design team is thrilled to collaborate with Meek Mill," Tom Ripley, Lids Chief Executive Officer, said. "He is a true original artist with an incredible sense of fashion. Meek’s first line of hats will be unique and the first of many ways we work together."
According to Business Insider, Mill’s close relationship with Michael Rubin, the executive chairman of the sports retailer Fanatics, co-owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, and a co-founder of Mill’s Reform Alliance Foundation, helped open doors for this opportunity.
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Similarly to Williams, Lids had very humble beginnings. Growing from a single store in an Indiana mall, Lids blossomed into more than 1,100 mall-based, airport, street level and factory outlet locations nationwide; developing into one of the largest sports headwear retailers in the United States, and an industry leader in all sports accessories.
Native Philadelphia rapper, Robert Rihmeek Williams, also known as Meek Mill, is more than just a critically-acclaimed multiplatinum hip-hop recording artist; he’s a father, social justice advocate, and now as of June 26th, an established businessman.
Today, Meek Mill announced his new investment in the popular sports retailer Lids; becoming the co-owner of the largest retail seller of hats and licensed sports products in North America.
"I've always been a fan of Lids – growing up, I remember buying their hats to match my outfits and look my best," Mill said. "It's amazing to see my relationship with the brand come full-circle and have the opportunity to evolve as a businessman. We have a great team in place and we're looking forward to taking Lids to new heights."
Williams will also give his unique creative expertise as the new head of creative strategy. In addition, the first of his many limited-edition lines of hats will release this August.
“The Lids design team is thrilled to collaborate with Meek Mill. He is a true original artist with an incredible sense of fashion. Meek’s first line of hats will be unique and the first of many ways we work together” said Tom Ripley, Lids Chief Executive Officer.
According to Business Insider, Mill’s close relationship with Michael Rubin, the executive chairman of the sports retailer Fanatics and co-owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, and a cofounder of Mill’s Reform Alliance Foundation, helped open doors for this opportunity. (Fanatics and the investment firm Ames Watson acquired Lids in February for $100 million.)
Similarly, to Williams, Lids had very humble beginnings. Growing from a single store in an Indiana mall, Lids blossomed into more than 1,100 mall-based, airport, street level and factory outlet locations nationwide; developing into one of the largest sports headwear retailers in the United States, and an industry leader in all sports accessories.
