U.K.’s Sports Direct Raises $1.82B in IPO

Sports Direct International PLC, the United Kingdom’s largest sporting-goods retailer, on Tuesday raised US$1.82 billion (929 million pounds; euro1.4 billion) in an initial public offering after owner Mike Ashley sold a 43 percent stake in the business. A

Rockport Picks New Ad Agency

The Rockport Co. said that Hill Holliday Connors Cosmopulos of Boston will be its advertising agency of record. The decision to work with Hill, Holliday comes as Rockport launches several new products and incorporates Adidas' Torsion technology into

Spain’s JOMA Sport Partners with Miami FC

Spain's JOMA Sport signed an exclusive apparel contract with Miami FC, the only professional soccer team in Florida. Miami FC is now the only professional soccer team in the U.S. to have JOMA as its official apparel supplier…

Rodale, owner of Runners World, Acquires Running Times

Running Times has been acquired by Rodale Inc., the owner of Runner's World. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Running Times will continue to operate under the Running Times brand, and will be independent of Runner's World…

Sunny’s Great Outdoors To Liquidate

Sunny’s Great Outdoors filed for bankruptcy in early February and is closing its doors, according to court documents. The Elkridge-MD-based retailer operates 13 stores around the Mid-Atlantic region and employs 150 full-time and part-time workers…

Escalade’s Q4 Sporting Goods Revs Up 11% on Acquisitions

Escalade Inc. announced that revenues for the fourth quarter and year ended December 30, 2006 were up 4%, boosted by acquisitions in its sporting goods segment. However, lower gross margins and higher selling, general and administrative costs resulted in

Rocket Dog Acquired by Venture Funds

Rocket Dog has been acquired by Golden Gate Capital and Circle Peak Capital. The seller was New York Transit, Inc., a privately held fashion footwear company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mike Womack and the existing management team will continue

Russell Athletic to Sponsor Arena Football

Russell Athletic will sponsor Arena Football for the next five years starting this season on all regular and post season telecasts on ESPN networks and ABC. Russell Athletic will also be the exclusive uniform provider for the league and will debut its per

Cabela’s Files for 4.1 Million Secondary Offering

Cabela's Inc. filed a preliminary prospectus supplement with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to an underwritten public offering of 4,119,016 shares of its common stock. All of the shares of common stock are being offered by stockh

Payless, Nike Launch High-Tech Sneaker

Nike Inc. brought out soccer stars Brandi Chastain and Hope Solo and world-renowned volleyball player Logan Tom at a New York press event to help launch Tailwind, a women’s performance footwear and accessories brand that will be exclusive to Payless ShoeS