Cheer gyms across the US drop Rockstar brand after SC allegations of sexual abuse

Cheerleading gyms across the country have removed Rockstar Cheer from their names and branding in light of allegations that a Greenville Rockstar owner sexually abused children in his care.

The gym owners said they have no relationship with the Greenville gym other than sharing the name. They said they paid a fee to use the name and branding, but management and operations have been separate from the start.

The gyms are located in Charleston and Columbia as well as in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

“We never forget for a moment that we are entrusted by parents with the welfare of the most cherished people in their lives — their amazing kids,” the owners of 10 gyms said in a letter released Monday.

The letter called the allegations “heinous.”

“We are making this switch to clearly and totally dissociate our kids, their parents and our instructors and staff from any association with behaviors that have nothing to do with who we are, or how we run our gyms,” the letter said.

Scott Foster, owner of the Greenville gym, shot himself in the head Aug. 22 while he sat in his car at Paris Mountain State Park in Greenville County.

The Strom Law Firm announced it intends to file a lawsuit against Foster and the gym.

Attorney Bakari Sellers said Monday the firm is representing multiple people, including one whose case dates back 20 years. They allege they were sexually abused by Foster and the abuse was overlooked by others at Rockstar Cheer and Varsity Sports.

He also cited the U.S. All Star Federation as culpable.

Peter McGrath, a Mount Pleasant lawyer, said he, too, is investigating wrongdoing by Foster and the cheerleading business and intends to file a lawsuit as well. He said among the allegations is supplying alcohol to minors.

McGrath sued Rockstar alleging negligence when a 12-year-old girl suffered a brain injury in 2017 while training. According to the lawsuit, the girl was a “flyer,” the cheerleader tossed in the air during a stunt, and fell onto teammates, hitting her head. She was unable to go to school and participate in any activities afterward.

McGrath said he reached a settlement with the company in January 2021. The terms are confidential, he said.

Sellers said he believes “dozens and dozens” of boys and girls have been abused.

“They’re all struggling,” Sellers said. “They blame themselves but they are not to blame. They’re not victims. They are survivors.”

Sellers and multiple news organizations have reported that the Department of Homeland Security was investigating Foster when he killed himself.

A spokesperson for the federal agency could not be reached for comment.

Representatives of SLED and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said their agencies were not part of an investigation.