Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) announced that Executive Director Amy Roberts will leave the organization at the end of September to join The North Face as senior director, communications & corporate social responsibility. The OIA Board will begin the search for a new executive director immediately.
The North Face announced the appointment of Steve Lesnard as global vice president of marketing, and Tina Rolén as vice president of marketing for The North Face EMEA.
Carhartt has partnered with Chevrolet to become the Official Workwear of Chevy Trucks. Chevy Trucks will be the Official Partner of Carhartt.
Founder Sport Group announced that Todd Levine will rejoin the company as president of Digital Apparel Lab, formerly known as Teamwork Athletic Apparel.
Nike will invest $184 million in the company’s U.S. innovation footprint by opening another Nike Air Manufacturing Innovation (Air MI) facility in Goodyear, AZ.
B&T USA announced a partnership with Davidson’s, one of the largest firearms distributors in the United States.
DQC International Corp., manufacturer of the 13 Fishing brand of rods and reels, has brought on fishing tackle behemoth Rapala VMC as minority investor to reach a growing global market.
Standard & Poors upgraded the debt ratings of Chicago-based bicycle parts manufacturer SRAM LLC due to better operating performance and a commitment to reducing debt.
The Buckle Inc. announced that comparable store net sales increased 6.2 percent for the 5-week period ended July 6.
Sportsman’s Warehouse signed an agreement with Alliance Data to offer an exclusive Visa credit card to customers starting in October.
Spartan, which recently expanded its fitness footprint with a trail running series, announced a partnership with Altra, naming the top running brand the “Presenting Partner of Spartan Trail” and “Official Shoe of Spartan Trail.”
Osprey Packs, Keen Footwear, Northwest Rafting Co. and Peak Design are winners of The Conservation Alliance Outstanding Partnership Awards for 2019.
5.11 Tactical announced its partnership with Spartan, the world’s largest obstacle race and endurance brand. 5.11 is the Official Tactical Gear Partner of the 2019 Spartan Honor Series.
North Castle Partners announced a strategic partnership with CR Fitness, a leading franchise group in the Crunch Fitness network in the Southeastern United States.
Ecoxgear, a maker of waterproof Bluetooth speakers and accessories based in San Diego, appointed a number of rep agencies to support the company’s U.S. expansion.
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports will remain at high levels this summer but are expected to grow only modestly compared with last year’s rush to bring merchandise into the country ahead of scheduled tariff increases, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation.
Yue Yuen Industrial Ltd. reported sales rose 4.2 percent in June to $810.5 million from $777.3 million a year ago.
Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist and Footjoy, announced the acquisition of KJUS, the global ski and golf sportswear company.
Misfits Gaming teamed up with Outerstuff LLC, a manufacturer of licensed youth sports apparel, to launch a global exports apparel joint venture.
Adidas won the first Sports Sustainability Leadership Award while Under Armour won the Corporate Community Impact Award at the 5th annual Sports Humanitarian Awards presented by ESPN and sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
The University of North Florida, based in Jacksonville, FL, and UNF Athletics entered into a partnership agreement with Under Armour Inc.
According to Deloitte’s annual “Back-to-School Survey,” back-to-school spending is expected to increase 1.8 percent to $27.8 billion, averaging $519 per student in households buying clothing, supplies, computers, and electronics for children in grades K to 12.
The Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) announced that Xenith, the official equipment provider of the WFA, will award the WFA National Champions with a special grant towards equipment for the three winning teams.
Sergio Tacchini, the sportswear brand founded in 1966 by Italian tennis player Sergio Tacchini, announced the new ownership of its brand assets led by entrepreneur Stefano Maroni, Twin Lakes Capital LLC and B. Riley Principal Investments LLC, a subsidiary of B. Riley Financial Inc.
Tender Corporation announced the acquisition of Bushwacker Backpack & Supply, maker of the Counter Assault brand of personal-defense products.
Wahoo, a manufacturer of connected fitness devices, announced its intention to acquire The Sufferfest, the training platform for cyclists, triathletes and other endurance athletes.
SC Johnson signed an agreement to acquire Sun Bum personal care products for sun protection, hair and lip care.
FC Schalke 04, the professional German football club, announced a long term deal with Fanatics.
Ocean State Innovations, a textile solutions provider, announced the appointment of Bryan Boulis as president.
Jerry Turner, who transformed the athletic industry during his 60-year career, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, at the age of 84. Turner led Brooks in the ’60s and ’70s; founded American Sporting Goods, is credited with inventing the stability running shoe category, and bringing EVA to running midsoles.
FBI background checks for firearms, as adjusted by the NSSF, were up 3.5 percent in June to 924,054 compared to the June 2018 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 892,479.
PHIT America announced that since September 2015, PHIT America GO! Grants have been awarded to 730 elementary school P.E. programs in 39 states which have provided physical activity outlets for more than 400,000 elementary school children in the U.S.
Amer Sports Corp. completed the sale of the shares and related cycling business of Mavic S.A.S. to Regent LP.
About 840 RockShox Lyrik and RockShox Yari front suspension forks are being recalled, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Ares Outdoors LLC, based in Franklin, TN, completed the acquisition of the assets of Thlete LLC, an online retailer based in Eagan, MN.
Macy’s in collaboration with Dick’s Sporting Goods and plant food brand Miracle-Gro unveiled their second experiential concept, “Outdoor STORY,” in 36 locations.
Nuun launched Nuuness, an initiative to create awareness for continued and future opportunities for female athletes.
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) board of governors, announced the contract extension of Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz.
Boston Marathon participants who ran on behalf of 297 nonprofit organizations raised a record $38.7 million for charity through this year’s race.
360 Adventure Collective, the largest year-round East Coast organization for sales reps selling lifestyle products, is celebrating a successful Summer Expo season, which included three events along the East Coast.
American Bicycle Group (ABG), based in Chattanooga, TN, announced the expansion of the company’s marketing team with the hire of Jamie Ann Phillips as director of marketing.
The Tennessee State University Department of Athletics signed a new multi-year agreement with Nike through BSN Sports beginning with the 2019/20 season.
TSG Consumer Partners announced that William “Bill” Cooling has joined the firm as a managing director in New York.
Varsity Spirit, the leader in cheer and dance camps, competitions and apparel, announced a multiyear partnership agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Effective immediately, Gear Aid will have McNett Tactical products in the company’s line of adventure tools.
Sports Direct confirmed that Karen Byers, the company’s global head of retail, has left the retailer after 28 years.
REI Co-op is opening a new store in Appleton, WI, in spring 2020.
Caleres will begin to distribute footwear in greater China, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, through a joint venture with Brand Investment Holding.
Nautilus Inc. announced that the company’s board of directors named James “Jim” Barr IV as CEO.
Marquee Brands announced that Global Brands Group (GBG) will be the official apparel partner and distributor for the Dakine brand.
The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) will present the company’s 2019 Environmental Achievement Award to Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Rose Marcario, Patagonia’s president and CEO, in recognition of their visionary leadership and outstanding environmental stewardship.
Amp Human, the company behind PR Lotion, received a major investment from Next Ventūres, a venture capital firm co-founded by Lance Armstrong, that focuses on opportunities in the sports, fitness, nutrition and wellness markets.
Puma reinforced the company’s European PR team by appointing Gudrun Cämmerer as senior manager PR Europe.
Life Fitness appointed Chris Clawson as CEO. Clawson served as President of Life Fitness from 2010 to 2016 and most recently was Chairman of the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
VF Corp. appointed of Denny Bruce who was, most recently, EVP of sales, product and marketing at Traeger Pellet Grills, to the position of global brand president, Dickies.
Alipay, a leading payment and lifestyle platform, announced an initiative to support the long-term development of women’s football in China, committing ¥1 billion over the next decade.
Maven, recently granted the license to operate the Sports Illustrated media business, raised $23.1 million from several accredited investors in a private placement of 23,100 shares of the company’s Series I Convertible Preferred Stock.
Brooks Running Company said National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title-holders Allie Ostrander and Karisa Nelson joined the Brooks Beasts Track Club.
USA Triathlon signed a four-and-a-half-year agreement with Wahoo Fitness, manufacturer of indoor smart trainers and connected cycling computers.
The National Hockey League (NHL) and the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative (BJKLI) announced their partnership at the inaugural Declaring our Principles – ADVANCING EQUITY: A Summit on Inclusion.
The 2019 Vans US Open of Surfing presented by Swatch returns to the Southside of the Huntington Beach Pier to host some of the world’s top action sports talent.
Mason Companies Inc., which owns several footwear e-commerce sites including Stoneberry.com and Masseys.com, announced that Jay Berlin, a veteran who formerly led Sportsman’s Guide, has been appointed the president and chief executive officer.
B+E, a brokerage and technology platform for net lease real estate, sold the Academy Sports + Outdoors property in Jackson, TN for $6.75 million.
Photo courtesy Denver Business Journal
