Virginia Military Institute has extended its athletics apparel and footwear partnership with Under Armour. The agreement, which runs through 2022 with a two-year renewal option, continues the partnership that began in 2014.
Category: Footwear
Asics Appoints Director Of Run Specialty Sales
Asics North America appointed Kevin McHale as its new director of run specialty sales. In this role, McHale will manage the run specialty business. Asics also said it is unveiling a newly created Technical Representatives Program to provide rep coverage across the country.

Zion Williamson Injury Puts Spotlight On Nike And College Hoops
A shoe malfunction that injured college basketball’s biggest star in the most-hyped game of the year sent Nike into full damage control mode and drove more debates on the risks of college athletics.
Report: U.S. And China Trade Talks Making Significant Progress
The U.S. and China have made the most significant progress to date in their trade talks, outlining commitments in areas such as intellectual property rights, services, currency and agriculture barriers to trade, Reuters reported.

Wolverine’s Shares Sink On Cautious Guidance
Wolverine World Wide reported sales came in slightly below Wall Street’s expectations but are expected to accelerate to mid-single digit growth in the back half of 2019 due to an expected turnaround at Saucony and accelerated growth at Merrell and Sperry. EPS guidance for 2019, however, came in below expectations as the company plans to ramp up brand-building efforts this year.

Foot Locker To Ramp Up Capital Spending In 2019
Foot Locker Inc. said its Board of Directors approved a $275 million capital expenditures program for 2019, compared to the approximately $200 million in 2018. The increased spending reflects increased investments in the company’s store fleet in all existing regions, including Asia, and in its digital initiatives.
Altra Signs On As Title Sponsor of Tobacco Road Half Marathon
Altra is now the Title Sponsor of the Tobacco Road Half Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, March 17, 2019, in Cary, NC along with the Tobacco Road Marathon.

Wolverine’s Q4 Boosted By Momentum At Merrell And Sperry
Wolverine World Wide reported earnings on an adjusted basis grew 27 percent in the fourth quarter, helped by improving margins and a sharp reduction in operating expenses. Revenues inched up 0.2 percent and benefited from accelerated revenue growth from Merrell and Sperry.

Payless ShoeSource Files For Bankruptcy Protection
Payless ShoeSource Inc. filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time as it prepares to close all its North American stores by the end of May.

Pony Reaches New Licensing Agreement With One Step Up
Iconix Brand Group Inc. has signed a new agreement with One Step Up to be the exclusive apparel and footwear licensee for the Pony brand in North America.
361 Degrees Forecasts Profit Decline For 2018
361 Degrees International Limited said it expects a “notable” decline in earnings before taxes in 2018 due to an expected loss for the second half due in part to the U.S./China trade dispute.
Colorado Store To Close After Nike/Kaepernick Boycott
A Colorado sports apparel and memorabilia store is closing following its move to stop selling Nike product as a protest against the brand’s embrace of Colin Kaepernick.
JD Sports Acquires Stake In Footasylum
JD Sports has purchased an 8 percent stake in Footasylum, which has 70 stores in the United Kingdom.

SFIA: Sports Industry Facing Too Many Casual Participants
The annual SFIA Topline Participation Report found more Americans embracing healthy lifestyles in 2018, including notable gains in participation in a number of outdoor and fitness activities. But the study found tackle football participation taking another hit and overall gains being driven by casual rather than core participants.
Brazil’s Centauro Files For IPO
Grupo SBF, owner of the Brazil sporting goods chain Centauro, filed for an initial public offering on the São Paulo stock exchange.