Jael Thorpe

Jael Thorpe, Founder and CEO of Gameday Social Apparel Co.

Jael Thorpe is the founder and CEO of Gameday Social Apparel Co., a rapidly growing apparel company focused on collegiate sports attire.123 Thorpe, a longtime entrepreneur, started the company after previously owning boutique fashion stores in Brookings and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.14

Gameday Social specializes in elevated, licensed apparel and headwear primarily for female sports fans.15 The company has secured licensing agreements with about 25 universities, competing with major brands like Nike and Fanatics.1 Thorpe's strategy is to fill a niche market for fashionable gameday attire that major competitors are missing.1

Founded in 2019, Gameday Social is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.13 The company has grown from one employee in 2021 to a team of 10 as of 2023.1 Thorpe is proud to lead a small, woman-owned business that is nimble and responsive to fashion trends.13

Prior to Gameday Social, Thorpe was an entrepreneur starting in 2006 with a photography business and then a boutique in 2010.1 She also served on the Brookings City Council and as deputy mayor.1 Thorpe's LinkedIn profile shows her experience as the founder and CEO of Gameday Social Apparel Co. in Sioux Falls.2