Walmart Launches Free Assembly

Walmart announced the launch of a major new casual clothing line for men and women called Free Assembly. Free Assembly was designed by an in-house team led by Dwight Fenton, former chief creative officer at Bonobos with past experience at J. Crew, Vineyard Vines and Old Navy.

Vasa Appoints COO

Vasa Inc., the maker of swim training devices based in Essex Junction, VT, appointed Keith Watson as COO. Watson comes to Vasa after spending 12 years in executive positions at Peaksware Holdings, LLC, (home of TrainingPeaks.com) as well as 10 years with Intuit, Inc.

Easton Introduces Bat Trade-In Program

Easton Diamond Sports introduced its first Trade In and Trade Up Program for baseball. With this announcement, players can trade in their used USA, USSSA and BBCOR bats to receive a credit toward the purchase of a new Easton USSSA or BBCOR baseball bat on Easton.com.

Report: Nike’s Track & Field Chief Steps Down

John Capriotti, director of athletics at Nike, is stepping down after guiding the brand’s track and field sports marketing group since 1992. He will continue to work with Nike as a consultant, according to The Oregonian.

U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes America’s Conservation Enhancement Act

The U.S. Senate on September 16 passed by unanimous consent S. 3051, America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act. This major package of natural resource management and conservation provisions now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives, where a vote is expected as soon as this week, according to the American Sportfishing Association (ASA).



Dunlop Adds Two Tennis Industry Veterans To Sales Team

Dunlop announced the addition of tennis industry veterans Macy Evert Erickson and Anibal Braga to its sales team. Erickson assumes the Territory Manager role for Northern California, while Braga will act as Territory Manager for the Southeast (SC, NC, GA, MS, AL, TN).

Hydro Flask Sponsors USA Surfing

Hydro Flask announced a multi-year sponsorship with USA Surfing supporting its athletes in domestic and international competitions including the USA Surfing Championships and the sport’s debut at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Nike Develops Coaching Girls Guide

Nike has partnered with We Coach, an organization that embraces recruitment, advancement and retention of women coaches in sports, on a new Made to Play Coaching Girls Guide to “help make sport fun for girls.”