Sears Holdings, in bankruptcy proceedings since October, revealed 80 more Sears and Kmart stores it plans to close in late March 2019. However, the beleaguered retailer won a reprieve from liquidating after its chairman, Eddie Lampert, submitted a $4.4 billion bid in an effort to purchase the retailer.

Callaway Golf Co. announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Jack Wolfskin for €418 million (US$476 million). The acquisition furthers Callaway’s push into the active lifestyle category after its successful 2017 acquisitions of TravisMathew and Ogio.

Outdoor Voices, the women’s activewear brand, has opened its first Chicago store. The store is at 841 W Armitage Ave.

Lontex Corp. has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Nike Inc. charging that Nike has used its trademarked “Cool Compression” branding term without permission.

Chicago, IL-based bicycle component maker SRAM has appointed Ken Lousberg as CEO; he replaces co-founder and CEO Stan Day, who will be transitioning to a new role in the company as chairman of the board of directors.

DonorsChoose.org and The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation are calling on football fans to support public school classrooms through the Teacher Champion Challenge, launching January 3. The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation will award $100,000 to support team sports-related classroom project requests in the playoff city that raises the most in total donations-per-student.

Puma has signed a long-term sponsorship agreement with Porsche Motorsport to become the exclusive technical partner for fireproof racing clothing as well as shoes, caps and luggage.

Justin Rose, the second-ranked PGA Tour player in the world, has signed an apparel deal with Bonobos. He had long been with Adidas.

Weber State University’s (WSU) Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center has announced its second annual Outdoor Weber outdoor recreation idea competition, sponsored by Camping World.

Darby Communications, a boutique public relations firm specializing in the outdoor, fitness and wellness industries, has announced selections for its 2019 Stand Up Initiative.

Foot Locker Inc. announced that it has made a strategic investment in Super Heroic Inc., best known for its kids footwear with an underlying message of empowerment. As part of Foot Locker’s strategic investment, Kids Foot Locker will be the first brick-and-mortar retailer of Super Heroic products in the U.S.

Toms has launched “End Gun Violence Together,” a campaign aimed at helping end the epidemic in America and kickstarting an evolution to the brand’s giving model. To launch the campaign, Toms will invest $5 million into organizations across the country that are committed to addressing the complex nature of gun violence.

Blake Nordstrom, the 58-year-old co-president of his family’s retail company, Nordstrom Inc., passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 2, less than a month after being diagnosed with lymphoma.

The Ski Monster, a Boston-based retailer, announced the hire of Matt Berkowitz as brand director. Berkowitz comes from a 15 year tenure at Fischer Skis.

Big Rock Sports Outdoor Expo Nashville attendees will be able to guide themselves through the massive national event via the company’s mobile app.

The American Trail Running Association (ATRA) announced “Trail Running Responsibility” as its theme for 2019. This is a topic to follow recent ATRA themes including last year’s Trail Stewardship: Leaving a Lasting Legacy, and the 2017 theme, Community: Building Trail Running Connections.

Nominations are officially open for the fifth year of Kraft Hockeyville USA. Together with the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League (NHL), Kraft Heinz is looking to find America’s most spirited and enthusiastic hockey communities.

BrainScope, a medical neuro-technology company focused on concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) assessment, announced that it has received FDA clearance to include additional language in its product’s Indications for Use (IFU).

Everlast Worldwide and Protect Yourself at All Times (PYaAT) creator Adrian Clark are partnering up to introduce the first ever PYaAT symposium.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, together with The Harry & Reba Huge Foundation, will be awarding $40,000 in scholarships to four female graduates of Missouri or Nebraska high schools this spring.

Chris Clawson, former president, Life Fitness, has been re-elected as the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) chairman of the board for a fourth one-year term. He was one of a few re-elected or newly elected officers and directors the association announced Wednesday.

Vans has invited public and private high school art students to participate in the 10th year of Vans Custom Culture, which was created to provide high school students a platform to showcase their creative abilities, while providing access to underfunded art programs.

Columbia Sportswear Co. on Wednesday announced that effective January 2, 2019, it has closed its buyout of the remaining 40 percent interest in Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai) Co., the joint venture in China with Swire Resources Ltd., a subsidiary of Swire Pacific Ltd.

FILA on Wednesday announced that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with Kiki Bertens, the WTA No. 9 ranked singles player in the world.

Adventure apparel and accessories company Sherpa Adventure Gear on Wednesday announced that Peter Novak will be joining the Sherpa team as president.

OrderMyGear, the sporting goods and custom apparel platform, announced the appointment of Dave Dutch to the position of CEO.

New Balance is in negotiations to extend its partnership with Liverpool in what could be a record kit deal, according to the Daily Mail.

The North Face is relocating its store at 139 Wooster Street in lower Manhattan to a larger location nearby at 584-588 Broadway.

Camping World Holdings Inc. said Roger Nuttall had resigned from his position as president of the company’s dealership group and his responsibilities will be divided up between Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO, and four tenured Divisional RV presidents with extensive experience in the RV industry,

The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act. PHIT was awaiting a final vote in the U.S. Senate, but fell victim to the dysfunction in D.C., despite passing the House with strong bipartisan support in July.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. said it will not renew its United States Olympic Committee (USOC) sponsorship beyond 2018, according to various reports. The decisions comes as Team USA continues to deal with fallout from the sexual-abuse scandal surrounding former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

Christy Sports plans to implement a new ERP (enterprise resource planning) program to support its expansion.

Photo courtesy Sears