Puma announced a new long-term partnership with Manchester City FC Manager Pep Guardiola. This individual agreement follows the launch of Puma first Manchester City product collection, and underlines both parties commitment to elevate the partnership beyond a traditional sports sponsorship model.
Author: SGB Media
Title Nine Movers And Makers Pitchfest Announces 2019 Finalists
Title Nine, the women’s activewear chain, announced nine women chosen as finalists in its second annual Movers and Makers Pitchfest. The start-up brands they represent include Wild Rye, Kaden Apparel, Sunia Yoga, Mana Threads, Corbeaux Clothing, Anowi Surfwear, Bloom Bras, Em & El Organics and Heroclip.

Sports Direct Sees Annual Sales Dip Excluding Acquisitions
Sports Direct reported revenue increased 10.2 percent in its fiscal year ended April 28, but were down 1.9 percent excluding acquisitions and on a currency-neutral basis.
Asics Names Accelerator Selections
Asics selected four start-ups to join its business partnership accelerator program. The winners include a developer of forecasting system using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as well as a developer of smart running shoes that can measure foot movement while running.
Outdoor Voices To Open Austin Flagship In Former RunTex Location
Outdoor Voices will open a flagship store in Austin in the former RunTex location at Lake Austin Boulevard and MoPac Expressway. The women’s activewear brand also includes The Recreationalist, an editorial platform that includes city guides and profiles to inspire people to stay active.
EBay To Launch Managed Delivery, An End-To-End Fulfillment Service For Sellers
EBay is introducing Managed Delivery, a cost-effective fulfillment service that will enable sellers with high-volume inventory to meet rising consumer expectations while reducing cost and complexity.
Orangetheory Finalizes Expansion Into All 50 States
Orangetheory Fitness announced the expansion of its national footprint into the 50th state, Wyoming. The new studio will be coming to Jackson Hole.

Behind Columbia Sportswear’s ‘Shift’ Toward Footwear
Columbia Sportswear Co.’s second-quarter earnings report was filled with facts and figures showing how strength throughout its portfolio, balance across its channels and continued margin improvement due to its Project Connect initiative drove record revenue and an earnings beat. But Tim Boyle, the company’s president and CEO, was even more excited about what’s coming in the second half of the year—an unprecedented focus on footwear.

Aisle Talk Week Of July 22
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Zion Williamson, the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, signing a deal with the Jordan Brand. “He’s an essential part of the new talent that will help lead the brand into the future,” said His Airness, Michael Jordan.

New Balance Makes Two Major Climate Commitments
New Balance Athletics, Inc. announced it has made two major climate commitments: joining RE100 and signing the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. The announcement comes as the company marks a key milestone by generating a total of more than one million kilowatt hours in solar energy at its Flimby, England footwear manufacturing facility.
Former K2 Sports CEO Becomes Interim CEO Of CannTrust Holdings
CannTrust Holdings Inc., a licensed producer of medical and recreational cannabis in Canada, has appointed Robert Marcovitch to the role of interim CEO. Marcovitch was most recently the president and CEO of K2 Sports.
Former Adidas America’s CEO To Lead Taco Bell
Yum! Brands Inc. announced that Mark King, former president of Adidas Group North America, will join the company as Taco Bell Division chief executive officer. Said King in a statement, “The courage, creativity, culture and potential of Taco Bell make it the only brand I would become part of at this point in my career.”
Strava Welcomes New CFO And CTO
Strava, the activity tracking app, hired Christine Park as chief financial officer, and Yandong Liu as chief technology officer.
Athletic Propulsion Labs To Open First Store
Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL), the Los Angeles-based sneaker brand, is opening its first store at the Grove in Los Angeles.
Li Ning Signs Potential 2020 NBA Lottery Pick To Endorsement Deal
Li Ning, the Chinese sporting goods giant, signed RJ Hampton, a projected lottery selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, to an endorsement deal, according to ESPN. The retired Dwyane Wade in 2018 inked a lifetime deal with the brand. C.J. McCollum is Li Ning’s most prominent active player.