Author: Thomas J. Ryan

On Wednesday, the NBA announced Wilson will replace long-time partner Spalding as the official game ball of the NBA starting with the 2021/22 season. Wilson’s Basketball General Manager Kevin Murphy Wilson talks to SGB Executive about how the NBA partnership will elevate Wilson’s basketball game

In a survey of youth sports organizers from youth sports sponsorship platform LeagueSide, 46 percent believe their programs are in danger of permanently shuttering due to the impact of COVID-19. A separate survey of youth sports parents found 54 percent likewise expressing concern that a program their children participate in could fold.

Brooks, Vans, Osprey and Alta Cycling Group are just a few of the brands that have launched programs to support independent specialty stores across the cycling, outdoor and run space amid the coronavirus pandemic. Many steer sales or customers to stores while a few are helping with outreach efforts to those sheltering at home.

While many opportunities have quickly dried up with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, SFIA’s 2019 State of the Industry Report showed the industry had strong momentum coming into the year, offering some hope that pent-up demand will be there when the industry can relaunch. Decreasing inactivity levels and the increasing popularity of smaller, niche activities supported the gains.

Under Armour reported a loss in the first quarter on a 22.8 percent drop in its sales while warning second-quarter revenues could slide as much as 50 percent to 60 percent as the COVID-19 fallout worsens. Measures were detailed to reduce 2020 operating expenses by $325 million and capital expenditures to $100 million.

Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist, FootJoy and KJUS, reported a steep decline in earnings in the first quarter and expects the second quarter to be “significantly impacted” by COVID-19. But company officials were confident that results will improve in the back half of the year as golf play resumes.

Carried by thriving outerwear and-accessories revenues, SportChek’s comps were up 3.2 percent in the first quarter through March 11, the date the global pandemic was declared.  Store traffic and sales then declined the week after and began dropping at a double-digit rate after stores were temporarily closed on March 18 and consumer demand for apparel and footwear eroded significantly.

Yeti Inc.’s sales climbed 21 percent year-over-year in the first quarter through mid-March, with low-double-digit gains at wholesale and 31 percent growth in direct-to-consumer (DTC). But COVID-19’s arrival quickly reversed those trends as sales declined 25 percent in the final two weeks of the quarter.

Puma reported a steep erosion in profit in the first quarter and indicated the second quarter will be worse as half of its retail base remains closed globally in coronavirus lockdowns. But officials are encouraged by the pick-up being seen in China and see a benefit as the crisis has motivated more people to exercise.

Planet Fitness expects to benefit from expected consolidation in the fitness space, heightened interest in health and wellness and pent-up demand for workouts. But the key will be a 100-page COVID-19 operations playbook developed with its franchise partners to elevate sanitation protocols and convince members that it’s safe to return.

On Johnson Outdoors’ second-quarter conference call, Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairman and CEO, warned third-quarter results will be “significantly impacted” as COVID-19 has arrived “at the heart of our primary selling season.” Government mandates have restricted activities across the fishing, dive, camping and watercraft markets the company serves.

Schoeller North America has been working closer than ever with its brand partners on forecasting, sharing information and finding ways to be flexible to help each other manage through the pandemic. Stephen Kerns, president, Schoeller North America, talks to SGB Executive about the many ways the crisis has impacted Schoeller, heightened demand for functional fabrics, and what he hopes will be post-coronavirus benefits to healthy lifestyles, the environment and the family.

For Microban International. Ltd., the specialist in antimicrobial and odor control solutions, one benefit from COVID-19 has been the increased focus on sanitization and the company is accelerating the development of custom antiviral solutions for textiles. Here, Brian Aylward, Microban’s senior director, global textiles business, discusses the elevated opportunities around antimicrobial technologies created by the pandemic that he expects will make Microban a household name. 

On its first-quarter conference call with analysts, Tim Boyle, chairman, CEO and president, said he believes his company’s trusted brands, strong balance sheet and an expected hike in outdoor participation will help the company manage COVID-19’s fallout. His confidence is particularly high because he contends the company already survived a more challenging period in the seventies.