New Era Cap Inks Headwear Deal with Team USA

New Era will supply headwear to U.S. Olympians and Paralympians when they make the teams to compete in this year’s Paris Olympics. Team USA’s agreement with New Era Cap is its first product deal with a headwear-focused brand.

Target Raises Quarterly Dividend

The retailer reaffirmed announced a 1.8 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to shareholders, now set at $1.12 per common share, from the previous quarterly dividend of $1.10.

Patagonia Hires EMEA Marketplace Director

An outdoor veteran with over 20 years of experience in the industry, Stephan Hagenbusch, formerly at Black Diamond Equipment, assumes the role as marketplace director for the EMEA region.

Lotto Invests in Pickleball Team

Lotto announced a strategic partnership with the Brooklyn Aces, becoming the first athletic brand in the ownership group of a professional pickleball team. The Italian sports brand joined celebrity owners Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, Drake, and Michael B. Jordan.

EXEC: Academy Sports CEO Remains Bullish on Sales Recovery

Academy Sports and Outdoors missed Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the second straight quarter on lower-than-expected sales but Steve Lawrence, CEO, told analysts he remains confident growth will improve in coming quarters as the chain benefits from a focus on newness and value while capitalizing on key selling occasions over the year.

Under Armour Partners With USA Football

As the official and exclusive uniform, apparel and footwear partner of USA Football, including the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, UA will also outfit the first Olympic team for the 2028 Summer Games as flag football and USA Football’s U.S. National Teams make their Olympic debut.

Academy Sports’ Q1 Earnings Miss Wall Street Targets

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported first-quarter earnings on an adjusted basis slid 20.8 percent and came in lower than analyst expectations for the second straight quarter. Same-store sales were down 5.7 percent, and gross margins were off slightly. Steve Lawrence, CEO, said, “Our customers remain under pressure in the current economic environment.”

Le Coq Sportif Parent Posts Loss In 2023

Airesis, the Swiss holding company that owns the Le Coq Sportif French sports brand and Movement skis, recorded a negative EBITDA of CHF 20 million ($22 mm) and a net loss of CHF 36 million ($40 mm) in 2023.

April Golf Rounds Show Slight Gain

Golf Datatech, which has agreed to be acquired by Circana, reported that the national rounds of golf played were up 0.8 percent for the month of April year over year and are up 4.2 percent in the first four months of the year.