From Ice Rink to Innovation: How Sports Basement Transformed Retail with Teamwork Commerce

Sports Basement, a beloved Bay Area retailer known for its community-driven spirit and eclectic stores, has reimagined its in-store experience by partnering with Teamwork Commerce to modernize operations and deliver a seamless omnichannel experience. With 15 years on an aging POS system, the brand set out to find a solution that was both modern and reliable, capable of supporting its expanding footprint while maintaining the unique local character that defines the “Basement” experience.

“We really wanted a new modern POS,” said Aaron Schweifler, Chief Operating Officer at Sports Basement. “But we couldn’t dare have a POS that would fail us. We needed it to be reliable yet modern—and Teamwork emerged as the one that met both those criteria.”

After evaluating the retail technology landscape, Teamwork Commerce stood out for its scalability, stability, and reputation among leading retailers. The transition marked a significant leap forward for Sports Basement, combining modern mobile POS functionality with enterprise-grade reliability and intuitive design.

A Seamless Implementation Experience

For Sports Basement, the implementation process was a pleasant surprise. Having undergone numerous software rollouts in the past, Schweifler described the Teamwork Commerce experience as exceptional.

“We’ve had a number of software implementations, and there’s a lot of over-promising and under-delivering,” he said. “But the Teamwork team was amazing—very hands-on. It was one of the best implementations I’ve ever experienced, and I’m not just saying that.”

The new system was deployed smoothly across multiple stores, minimizing disruption and allowing teams to adapt quickly thanks to its intuitive interface. The transition reduced training times dramatically, empowering employees to focus on delivering great customer experiences rather than struggling with outdated technology.

“When we put Teamwork in front of our staff, they just started using it,” Schweifler explained. “It was like using a new phone app.”

Custom Loyalty That Gives Back

Loyalty has always been at the heart of Sports Basement’s brand. Its signature Basementeers program offers 10% off everything for life and gives 10% back to charity. Integrating such a unique, community-focused loyalty model required flexibility—and Teamwork delivered.

“When we came to Teamwork and said this is our very special program that we’ve honed over 15 years, they said, ‘Yes, for sure we can get there,’” said Schweifler. “They did real development work to ensure we could fit our program into their POS loyalty solution.”

The result was a fully integrated loyalty experience that aligns with the brand’s values and enhances customer engagement.

A True Partnership for the Future

Sports Basement views Teamwork not as a vendor, but as a strategic retail partner—one that continues to collaborate on innovation, optimization, and future-forward retail initiatives.

“Teamwork’s the perfect partner for us,” Schweifler concluded. “They’re not only future-forward but also an excellent customer service organization. It’s a dream scenario when it comes to software implementation.”

With Teamwork Commerce powering its operations, Sports Basement now combines community, convenience, and cutting-edge retail technology—proving that modern retail can be both human and high-tech.