Unifi Inc. reported improved underlying profitability on a modest sales gain in the first quarter as stringent cost-control efforts and a more favorable raw material cost environment in the U.S. offset continuing pricing pressures in polyester.
Author: SGB Media

Nike Fires Back At Skechers With New Patent Lawsuit
Nike Inc. this week sued Skechers USA Inc. for the second time in a month, claiming Skechers stole patented technology, which Nike had used in its Nike Air, for its Skech-Air Jumpin’ Dots and Mega shoes.
Big 5 Surges Past Guidance, Doubles Net Income In Q3
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. on Tuesday reported net income for the fiscal third quarter ended September 29 was $6.4 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, compared to net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 of $3.1 million, or 15 cents per diluted share.

NCAA Agrees To Let Athletes Profit From Name, Image And Likeness
The NCAA’s board of governors voted Tuesday to allow amateur athletes to “benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness.”
NRF CEO: Phase One Trade Deal With China ‘Very Promising’
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay appeared Tuesday morning on Fox Business Network’s Varney and Co. to discuss the “phase one” trade deal with China announced earlier this month by President Trump. The appearance came as reports indicated that Trump and China President Xi Jinping will meet in November.
Winners Of Surf & Boardsport Industry Awards In Australia Announced
The Surf and Boardsports Industry’s outstanding brands, retailers and products were celebrated in true surf industry style at SBIA Awards. Big winners included Rip Curl, Patagonia, JS, Reef, Billabong and Oakley.

Record-breaking $2.2 Million Raised At 11th Annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk continued the Skechers Foundation’s 11-year tradition of record-breaking donations for kids — raising more than $2.2 million for children with special needs and education at Sunday’s event, and more than $13 million in total since its start.
ESPN, Under Armour And LISC Announce Play Spaces Grants
Community organizations and municipalities in Atlanta; Decatur, GA.; Detroit; Oakland and Toledo, OH will receive grants totaling $256,500 to help transform vacant lots into sports, recreation and play spaces. The 13 awards are part of ESPN’s RePlay initiative, a collaboration with Under Armour and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
Sneakertopia To Feature Jason Dussault Exhibit
World-renowned mosaic artist Jason Dussault announced that he will be one of the artists featured at this month’s Sneakertopia, the world’s first pop-up museum designed and dedicated to sneakers and their relation to art, culture and society.
Sun & Ski Sports To Open First Stores In California And Utah
Sun & Ski Sports this falls plans to stores in Mammoth, CA and Park City, UT, the chain’s first stores in those states.
NRS Moves To Move To New Headquarters
NRS, the maker of paddlesports equipment and apparel, will move to newly built headquarters in Moscow, ID in early November. The roughly 155,000 square-foot facility expands the physical footprint of the 47-year-old company to facilitate continued growth.

Golf Rounds Climb In September
According to Golf Datatech, golf rounds played in the U.S. were up 4.7 percent in September year-over-year on a national level. Double-digit gains were seen in Mid Atlantic, South Atlantic, New England and South Central.
American Academy Of Pediatrics Recommends Greater Access To Surgical Treatments For Severe Obesity
Recognizing that severe obesity is a serious and worsening public health crisis in children and adolescents, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is calling for greater access to metabolic and bariatric surgery, one of the few strategies that has been shown to be effective in treating the most severe forms of the chronic disease.

OBIT: Curt Mueller
Curt Mueller, a 2002 Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame inductee and the founder of Mueller Sports Medicine, passed away in his sleep on October 19, 2019 at the age of 85 in Prairie du Sac, WI.
Silbo Raises New Funding for Market Expansion
Silbo, Inc., a leading platform connecting sports officials and amateur sports leagues, announced $1.1 million in funding from IDEA Fund Partners and Dantes Investments.