College Basketball Scandal Spreads
In opening statements in the first trial tied to the FBI’s investigation into corruption throughout college basketball, a lawyer representing James Gatto, Adidas’ former director of global sports marketing, asserted that her client’s payments to the families of top high school basketball recruits were only made to compete with similar payments being made by Nike and Under Armour.
Southern Tide Becomes Official Style Sponsor Of The RBC Heritage
The Heritage Classic Foundation announced that Southern Tide, the coastal lifestyle and apparel brand, has signed a multi-year agreement as the “Official Style” sponsor of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing.
AAFA Lists Certain Amazon Marketplaces in Notorious Markets Submission to USTR
The American Apparel & Footwear Association included certain Amazon marketplaces in the company’s submission to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) identifying foreign markets that facilitate the sale of counterfeits.
College Hoops Corruption Trial Gets Under Way
The first trial tied to the FBI’s investigation into corruption throughout college basketball started on Tuesday. A lawyer representing James Gatto, Adidas’ former director of global sports marketing, asserted that her client’s payments to the families of top high school basketball players violated NCAA rules, but those rules “are not the laws of this country.”
Jordan Brand To Open Flight 23 Flagship In Downtown Los Angeles
Jordan Brand announced that the company will open a massive Flight 23 flagship in Downtown Los Angeles on October 20.
Under Armour Signs Lumen Christi
Under Armour signed on to become the provider of uniforms and other athletic merchandise to Lumen Christi Catholic School, based in Jackson, MI.
Two Former Nike Executives Join Forces To Form CO-Lab.
Nike alums Keith Crawford and David Odusanya have launched CO-Lab., a creative agency focused on design strategy for companies, from brand and product development to the consumer experience.
Top of the World Opens Michigan State Pop-Up
Top of the World, a leading collegiate apparel and headwear provider and a key licensee partner for Michigan State, along with local retailer Alumni Hall, are hosting a Michigan State retail and experiential pop-up shop at the East Lansing Marriott at University Place from October 16 through 21.
Relief Over Recast NAFTA Deal
With fears over the arrangement being scrapped entirely, relief arrived after the U.S., and Canada came to a last-minute agreement on a revised trade deal that could replace NAFTA. While the dairy and auto industries will face some changes, the impact on the apparel and footwear sectors appears negligible.
JC Penney Names Jill Soltau CEO
J.C. Penney Co. Inc.’s board of directors on Tuesday announced the appointment of Jill Soltau as CEO and a member of the board of directors, effective Oct. 15. Soltau is a 30-year retail veteran who most recently served as president and CEO of JOANN Stores, the nation’s largest fabric and crafts retailer, after serving as president of Shopko Stores.
AAFA CEO Welcomes Trilateral NAFTA
American Apparel & Footwear Association President and CEO Rick Helfenb said, “This shows that all three countries recognize the importance of the trilateral trading arrangement that has been fostered and supported by NAFTA during the past 24 years.”
NRF Applauds Trilateral Agreement On Nafta
President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement, “We are pleased a deal has been reached that preserves NAFTA’s trilateral framework, which is critical to protecting North American supply chains that support millions of American jobs.”
NCTO Welcomes United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Announcement
Said National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President & CEO Auggie Tantillo, “Unlike the original NAFTA, the new agreement includes a separate textile and apparel chapter. This outcome is a tangible recognition by all three parties of the importance of textile manufacturing to the regional economy.”
New Era Named As Tottenham’s Official Headwear Licensee
The Tottenham Hotspur football club announced a multi-year agreement with headwear brand, New Era.
Puma Appoints Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Puma has reinforced the company’s corporate communications team by appointing Robert-Jan Bartunek as senior manager corporate communications. In this position, Bartunek will report to Puma’s senior head of communications Kerstin Neuber.
