G.I. Joe’s Just an Ordinary Joe’s Now

G.I. Joe's has officially changed its name to Joe's. The change to a shorter name coincides with the company's 55-year anniversary, and the simultaneous openings of new stores in Bellevue and Kirkland, Wash. The retailer, based in Wilsonvil

True Temper Has Tough ’06

True Temper Sports, Inc. saw fourth quarter net sales decrease 11.8% to $24.2 million from $27.4 million last year. The company recorded a net loss for the 2006 fourth quarter of $4.6 million, widening from $0.6 million during the year-ago quarter…

Reebok Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Freestyle Collection

To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Reebok kicked off “Freestyle Forever,” an exclusive event to launch the new Freestyle collection. Reebok said the original Reebok Freestyle was one of the first athletic shoes created especially for women and made up m

Nike Inc. Hires Pixelworks’ CFO

Nike Inc. plans to hire Mike Yonker, CFO, corporate secretary and treasurer of Pixelworks Inc., as its senior director of strategic planning and finance for its global footwear division, according to the Portland Business Journal…

L.L. Bean Donates $1 Million to Freeport Park

L.L.Bean will give $1 million to the town of Freeport for the development and donation of a public green space/park that will include trails, a skating pond, picnic benches and shelters. The company, based in Freeport, said the donation was made in honor

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