Scott Creelman, president of Spalding, is retiring March, 31st, 2008.
Russell Athletic president, Doug Kelly will assume the overall managing
responsibilities of both Russell Athletic and Spalding brands, which
also includes Bike, Dudley, AAI and Huffy Sports. Creelman will assist
in this transition and will serve as a consultant to the company after
retirement.
Fruit of the Loom, which oversees the Russell business as part of
Berkshire Hathaway, said Kelly will continue the further integration of
the Russell and Spalding brands. A year ago the Spalding and Russell
team sales forces merged in order to better compete in the
institutional markets. Moving forward under one direction will allow
the organization to maximize synergies that will enhance both brands in
the marketplace.
Creelman had been president of the Spalding business since Russell
acquired the Spalding businesses in 2003, replacing Spalding president
and CEO Jim Craigie. Creelman had been working as a consultant in the
sporting goods industry since 2000, but previously was with Spalding
Sports Worldwide for 26 years.
“For more than 32 years, Scott has been successful leading the Spalding
brand to compete on a worldwide basis,” said Fruit of the Loom CEO John
Holland. “We thank Scott for his contribution to our
organization. Scott leaves behind the legacy of a premier brand, well
positioned for future success.”
The Spalding group now consists of three business units: Spalding in
Springfield, MA; American Athletic, Inc. (AAI) in Jefferson, IA; and
Huffy Sports, in Sussex, WI. The three companies, collectively
combined, are now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the
world. Spalding is the official basketball supplier of the NBA and
WNBA, the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA, the official
volleyball of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour, and the official
football of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner.
