Columbus-based sports apparel company gets investment from 'Deadpool' star Ryan Reynolds

A central Ohio sports apparel company is getting maximum effort thanks to an investment from "Deadpool" star Ryan Reynolds.

Columbus-based HOMAGE is receiving an injection of growth capital from Maximum Effort Investments LLC, an investment advisory firm co-founded by Reynolds.

With locations in Columbus and Cincinnati, HOMAGE also creates apparel for Jason and Travis Kelce's podcast, "New Heights." That includes a hat that needed to be restocked four times after being worn by Taylor Swift, who is dating Travis Kelce.

HOMAGE, which was founded in 2007, creates shirts, hoodies, hats and more with "shout-outs to eclectic moments and personalities in sports, music and popular culture," according to its website. It is an official license partner to the NFL, NBA, WNBA and MLB, as well as numerous colleges and universities, and many beloved pop culture brands. 

“The highlight of my 17 years building HOMAGE is seeing how our customers express their passions and build community through our products," Founder and CEO Ryan Vesler said in a statement (via Business Wire). "Maximum Effort’s capabilities and commitment to spreading joy by telling authentic stories will only help us grow that community further.”

HOMAGE intends to use this round of investment capital to expand its production capacity, grow its operating team, invest in technology and expand its licensed business with new and existing partnerships, according to the statement.

Maximum Effort Investments Head of Sports Ricky Engelberg said in a statement that Homage aligns perfectly with its mission of bringing people together in smart, fun and unexpected ways.

“HOMAGE exists to tell stories that move people — one T-shirt, one hoodie, and one Starter jacket at a time,” he said.

HOMAGE operates two stores in Columbus and one in Cincinnati, per the company's website.