Press Room
St. Louis Outlaws Announce Strategic Partnership with Reach Response to Build a Smarter Sponsorship Engine
Warrenton, Missouri (April 23, 2026) – The St. Louis Outlaws, Missouri’s professional jiu-jitsu team competing in the Professional Grappling Federation, today announced a strategic partnership with Reach Response, a leader in data-driven marketing intelligence and business growth systems. Through the partnership, the Outlaws and Reach Response will work together to build a more modern, measurable, and business-focused sponsorship platform for partners aligned with the team.
“This is about building more than a team. It’s about building a platform,” said Lloyd Wideman, Managing Member of the St. Louis Outlaws. “We want our sponsors to get more than visibility. We want them connected to a real business ecosystem that helps them grow. That’s where this partnership with Reach Response becomes a difference-maker.”
The partnership reflects the Outlaws’ commitment to doing things differently. As the team continues to grow its presence on the mat and in the market, Reach Response will help strengthen the infrastructure behind the sponsorship side of the business, giving partners access to smarter targeting, cleaner data, stronger follow-up systems, and more measurable marketing performance.
“From the beginning, what stood out to us about the Outlaws was the vision,” said Justin Wood, Founder of Reach Response. “They are not building this like a traditional sponsorship model where partners just hang a logo and hope for the best. They are building something with real energy, real ambition, and real business intent behind it. Our job is to help bring the data, systems, and strategy that turn that momentum into measurable value for sponsors.”
Built for More Than Exposure: This partnership goes beyond branding. It is a key part of the Outlaws’ broader B2B strategy and their mission to create meaningful value for the businesses that support the team. As part of the relationship, the Outlaws will actively connect sponsors and partners with Reach Response, creating new opportunities for those businesses to improve how they market, track, and grow.
For the Outlaws, this means a sponsorship platform that works harder for partners. For sponsors, it means access to a team that is thinking beyond impressions and building toward real business outcomes.
About St. Louis Outlaws: The St. Louis Outlaws are a professional jiu-jitsu team representing Missouri in the Professional Grappling Federation. Forged where rivers meet, the Outlaws are built on grit, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence; on and off the mat.
About Reach Response: Reach Response is a marketing technology and data optimization company that helps businesses improve lead quality, strengthen marketing performance, and build more scalable growth systems. By aligning data, infrastructure, and outreach strategy, Reach Response helps organizations turn fragmented marketing efforts into measurable business results.
Media Contact: Lloyd Wideman - St. Louis Outlaws - outlaw@stloutlaws.com
ST. LOUIS OUTLAWS ANNOUNCE LIFESTYLE MERCHANDISE LAUNCH VIA STRATEGIC PRINT-ON-DEMAND PARTNERSHIP
ST. LOUIS, MO (April 7, 2026) – The St. Louis Outlaws, the newest franchise of the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF), are proud to announce the official launch of their first-ever "Lifestyle" merchandise line. To ensure quality production and rapid delivery, the Outlaws have partnered with a leading North American print-on-demand provider to handle the manufacturing and fulfillment of this exclusive collection.
As the team builds momentum for its inaugural season of action in 2027, this partnership allows fans to represent the Outlaws immediately. The lifestyle line features a curated selection of apparel and accessories designed for everyday wear, ranging from t-shirts and hoodies to posters and bandanas.
"This is a great partnership that allows us to offer a wide array of lifestyle products to our community right out of the gate," said Lloyd Wideman, Managing Member of the St. Louis Outlaws. "By leveraging a domestic print-on-demand model, we are able to get custom team merchandise into the hands of our fans a lot faster as we prepare for our first season of action in 2027. We wanted to ensure our supporters could wear the Outlaws colors today, not tomorrow."
While the lifestyle line focuses on fan comfort and style, the organization is also looking toward the mats. The Outlaws are currently finalizing a separate "Pro-Gear" line of professional competition merchandise. This technical collection is being developed in collaboration with two additional national brands, to be officially named in the coming months.
The Pro-Gear line will serve as the official uniform of the franchise, featuring high-performance rashguards, sideline jackets, equipment bags, and branded polos. This collection is designed to provide every athlete, coach, and member of the executive team with a consistent, professional appearance both during competition and at official team engagements.
Fans can browse and purchase the new lifestyle collection starting today at the official St. Louis Outlaws online storefront.
St. Louis Outlaws join PGF as league closes its fifth seven-figure franchise deal
Las Vegas (March 23, 2026) - The Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) announced the signing of the St. Louis Outlaws, marking the league's fifth seven-figure franchise agreement as it continues scaling its team-based professional grappling model.
With multiple additional franchise deals currently in negotiation, the PGF is demonstrating early expansion patterns consistent with breakout professional sports leagues, positioning itself as the first scalable league structure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The St. Louis Outlaws are owned by Confluence Combat Group, led by veteran marketing and sponsorship executive Lloyd Wideman, who will serve as Managing Director.
Wideman brings over two decades of experience in sponsorship strategy and brand activation across motorsports and professional football, with past work including Purina, Aflac, and Hallmark.
"We're building a league designed from day one to function like the NFL or NBA, with team ownership, media infrastructure, and long-term asset value," said Brandon McCaghren, PGF Commissioner. "This is what happens when a sport reaches structural readiness for scale and we're there."
"We set out to bring Jiu-Jitsu, one of the fastest growing sports in the world, to mainstream audiences while creating a real path for athletes to become paid professionals," said Zoltan Bathory, PGF co-owner. "That goal is no longer theoretical. It's now within reach. Five seven-figure franchise deals in early expansion is not typical for a combat sports property," Bathory added.
Wideman brings a family legacy of identifying and settling new frontiers, mirroring the PGF's pioneer spirit.
"My family didn't wait for the map to be drawn; we were part of the team that drew it," said Lloyd Wideman, Managing Director of the St. Louis Outlaws. "Widemans have always been entrepreneurs who recognized life-changing business opportunities like the Professional Grappling Federation. To pioneer a new professional league is rare. You either board the train, or you get left at the station."
Wideman is a descendant of Missouri's earliest pioneers, with roots dating back to 1799, and has spent over 20 years leading national experiential and marketing initiatives for iconic brands including Purina, Aflac, and Hallmark Cards.
About the Confluence Combat Group (CCG)
Confluence Combat Group is a premier sports and lifestyle organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of the global combat sports ecosystem. As the proud owner and operator of the St. Louis Outlaws, a flagship franchise in the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF), Confluence Combat Group sits at the intersection of elite competition and community development.
With Jiu-Jitsu currently ranking as one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, Confluence Combat Group is committed to more than just professional accolades. The organization focuses on three core pillars: Empowerment through Education, Actionable Training, and Community Building. By integrating grappling and personal defense into its mission, the group champions a comprehensive approach to discipline and defense. Confluence Combat Group isn't just building a team, it’s building a safer, more connected community.
About the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF)
The Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) is a groundbreaking professional Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling league designed to transform Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a tournament-based hobby into a mainstream spectator sport and viable career path for athletes. Built on a team-based, seasonal format with franchise ownership, rankings, and story-driven live-streamed events, the PGF delivers fast-paced, submission-focused grappling that is optimized for both hardcore Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and new combat sports fans. Through weekly episodes, live broadcasts, and on-demand digital content, the PGF showcases elite grapplers while creating compelling narratives that drive engagement across social media and streaming platforms.
Co-founded by an elite group of innovators, the PGF brings together music, media, and martial arts at the highest level. Zoltan Bathory, judo and Jiu-Jitsu black belt, national silver medalist, serial entrepreneur, and founder/guitarist of multi-platinum hard rock band Five Finger Death Punch, leads the charge in global brand vision and athlete advocacy. Keelan Lawyer, founder of Subconscious Studios, is a pioneer in Jiu-Jitsu cinematography and production, leveraging cutting-edge video technology to elevate how grappling is filmed, packaged, and experienced. Brandon McCaghren, a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu black belt, PGF Commissioner, and one of the most recognizable voices in modern grappling through his work with UFC, CJJ, EBI, and ADCC, drives rules innovation, athlete development, and fan education. Heather Grace Gracie, CEO of Gracie Fight Management and granddaughter of Carlos Gracie Sr., connects the PGF to the legendary Gracie Jiu-Jitsu dynasty while applying her expertise in fighter management, brand building, and combat sports entrepreneurship.
The PGF is further supported by a world-class advisory board featuring some of the most influential names in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts: Royce Gracie, Carlos Machado, Jean Jacques Machado, Eddie Bravo, Pedro Sauer, Renzo Gracie, Mike Swain, Joe Marchal, Mica Cipili, and Erik Reynolds. Together, they guide the league's competitive format, athlete pipeline, and global expansion strategy to ensure the PGF remains at the forefront of modern grappling.
The Professional Grappling Federation continues to redefine how Jiu-Jitsu is watched, monetized, and experienced, combining high-production streaming, league structure, and elite competition to build the future of professional grappling. For schedules, athlete rosters, live streams, sponsorship opportunities, and franchise information, visit https://www.pgf.world/.
For franchise inquiries, sponsorships contact marketing@pgf.world.
For media inquiries, bios, assets, and interviews, please contact: erik@studiostrategic.com.
PGF World StlOutlaws
https://www.pgf.world/news/st-louis-outlaws-join-pgf