Wolverine World Wide has appointed Anne Cavassa (pictured) as president of Saucony. Cavassa most recently served as chief customer experience officer and senior VP of marketing and apparel for Brooks.

The Rockport Group LLC announced that the company has received approvals from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Delaware for all of the First Day motions, which will support Rockport’s business operations as the company completes the previously announced court-supervised sale process.

Academy Sports + Outdoors announced that Ken C. Hicks, former CEO at Foot Locker Inc., has been appointed chairman and CEO. Departing CEO J.K. Symancyk is leaving the company to pursue another opportunity.

Second Avenue Capital Partners LLC announced the company has provided a senior secured credit facility to Tommie Copper, the maker of compression products. The credit facility will be used to fund working capital and additional growth opportunities.

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development in Utah announced Clarus Corp., parent company of Black Diamond Equipment, will expand in Utah over the next eight years, adding up to 147 high-paying jobs, $8.9 million in new state revenue and $40 million in capital investment.

Nearly two months after filing for bankruptcy protection, Remington Outdoor Co. claims the company has emerged after successfully implementing a plan that will reduce debt levels and provide more stable financing that may help the company ride out a slowing market for firearms.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, this week announced the nominees for the 2018 retailer and vendor awards.

Puma has signed a lease deal to open a flagship store on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue shopping corridor. The three-level, 24,000-square-foot space is at 609 Fifth Ave. at 49th Street, opposite Saks Fifth Avenue.

New Balance debuted a shopping experience in the U.S. and U.K. through Snapchat’s new Shoppable AR (augmented reality) technology that lets Liverpool FC fans virtually wear, and then buy, the new Liverpool FC kit.

Arc’teryx Equipment, the maker of outdoor performance apparel and equipment, announced the return of the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy. The popular outdoor event will be held in Squamish, British Columbia, from July 19-22.

Escalade Inc. announced the company has sold the 50 percent equity share of Stiga Sports Group AB, headquartered in Sweden.

Vans named Hixson High School from Hixson, TN, as the grand prize winner of the ninth annual Vans Custom Culture art competition.

Leicester City Football Club of the Premier League announced a new multi-year partnership with Adidas.

In-Shape Health Clubs, the California fitness club, announced a partnership with the maker of functional training equipment, TRX, on a custom-made education program.

Tegra, a leading apparel manufacturing and supply chain provider, announced the acquisition of Fjord LLC, a leading manufacturer of on-field uniforms and gear for elite athletes.

Honey Stinger, the manufacturer of honey-based nutritional products, announced that the company will partner with team Holowesko|Citadel p/b Arapahoe Resources as a nutrition sponsor.

Kering said the company has completed the spinoff of Puma. The distribution ratio of Puma shares to Kering shareholders is equal to 1 Puma share for 12 Kering shares held, in accordance with the terms of the transaction.

Consumer retail purchases of sporting goods equipment, athletic footwear and athletic apparel increased to $69.4 billion for the categories tracked by the National Sporting Goods Association in 2017, an increase of 1 percent versus 2016.

Birmingham Legion Football Club announced a partnership with Nike as official supplier for the Magic City’s professional soccer team, set to begin play in 2019.

Audio brand Skullcandy Inc. has announced the launch of Now Feel This, a global live steam concert series dedicated to showcasing emerging artists. The first set of concerts will feature performances by White Reaper, Hinds and Now, Now.

Odey Asset Management, a London-based hedge fund, has acquired an 8.2 percent stake in The Finish Line, possibly complicating Finish Line’s merger with JD Sports Fashion.

Puma is seeking to endorse Trae Young, expected to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, as the face of the company’s return to basketball, according to a report from ESPN.

REI has announced the 2018 dates and locations for two all-new one-day festivals celebrating women, music and the outdoors.

W.L. Gore’s fabrics division announced that the company is participating in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s “Make Fashion Circular” initiative.

Goliath, the maker of toys and games, acquired Tucker, the maker of outdoor toys that includes the Phlat Ball.

Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain, is now open in Eden Prairie, MN.

Beth Jensen, senior director of sustainable business innovation for Outdoor Industry Association, has been selected to receive an Environmental Leader 75 award from Business Sector Media.

Vineyard Vines, best known for the company’s whimsical neckties and smiling pink whale logo, announced an exclusive partnership with Discovery Channel’s annual TV event, Shark Week.

RG Barry Corp., the maker of lifestyle footwear and accessories under the Dearfoams, Baggallini and Foot Petals labels, appointed Scott Erdman as president of Baggallini, and Joseph Bean as SVP of e-commerce wholesale.

K-Swiss announced the promotion of Mike Miringoff to VP of sales for the Americas region.

The North Face announced a commitment to eliminate disposable cups for the company’s Endurance Challenge Series events. Hydrapak has been named as the official hydration sponsor of the series and will provide reusable Hydrapak Speedcups to runners.

Scarpa has relaunched the company’s North American website to place a bigger heritage as the company celebrates an 80-year anniversary.

Camber Outdoors has announced the lineup of events during the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2018 in Denver, CO.

Mountain Safety Research has been named Seattle Business Magazine’s Manufacturing Company of the Year in the innovation category.

Fisher + Baker, the maker of fashionable menswear and outdoor lifestyle apparel, signed Jon and Tiffany Kalupa of the Avalon Group as the company’s East Coast sales representation.

Ortovox is launching a precautionary recall of 3+ avalanche beacons running software version 2.1, no matter what color. This is due to a very rarely occurring software error that can cause a disruption of the transmission function, potentially prolonging the search process.

Salt Lake City, UT-based ski manufacturer DPS has added sports industry veterans Sergio Kiehl and Steve Kropf to the brand’s internal sales team.

Yuba Bikes is expanding distribution throughout France and Europe with the establishment of a new distribution center, Cargo Bike Distribution SAS, near Annecy, France.

Technogym, a Cesena, Italy-based fitness equipment company, reported revenue for the first quarter of €124.7 million (US$147.9 million), up 6.1 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

Jonathan Ram, 50, will join Hanes to lead the company’s global activewear businesses, including Champion, as group president, global activewear, effective May 21.

The U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark ruling that could allow states across the country to legalize sports betting.

Academy, Ltd. (d/b/a Academy Sports + Outdoors), announced that the company will open a new store in Columbus, GA, next month.

Carlsbad High School took home the title of America’s Most Spirited High School, as well as the $25,000 Grand Prize, in Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards. A total of $100,000 in awards were handed out across 25 categories.

Kamik has named Litzky Public Relations the company’s global agency of record. LPR is a full-service, boutique public relations agency specializing in consumer and lifestyle brands.

Vibram announced the company’s new sales distribution partnership with Matt McClain. McClain will represent Vibram Finished Goods in Vibram’s New England territory.

Darn Tough Vermont was awarded “Best Vermont Made Product” by Vermont Business Magazine as part of the 2018 Best Of Business (BOB) Awards.

Nike has agreed to a deal to extend the company’s kit partnership with the Chinese Super League, the top tier of club soccer in the country, according to reports.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, together with Luxottica Group, announced plans to roll out Sunglass Hut retail shop-in-shop concepts in approximately 160 locations across the U.S.

Franklin Sports, the Official Batting Glove of Major League Baseball, announced a multi-year agreement with the Boston Red Sox and Red Sox Foundation as a key component of the company’s most recent marketing initiatives.

Mustad and Son, the maker of fishing tackle and accessories, announced that Jordan Davis has accepted the position of president, Americas.

Photo courtesy Saucony