Overline, an Atlanta-based VC firm, lead the $2.5M seed funding round with participation from Ardent, Oregon Sports Angels, Profluence Capital, Service Provider Capital, and Network Ventures.
Category: Sports/Fitness

Oofos Hires Director of Specialty Sales
The company said Matt Withrow will create, plan and execute sales strategies for the specialty distribution channel including Run, Outdoor, and Other sport-specific specialty distribution.

Massimo Moves MVR Golf Cart Production to U.S.
The company said that by assembling the vehicles domestically., it ensures stricter quality control while strategically positioning itself within the U.S. market.

Barre3 Acquires Studio Barre to Expand Female-Owned Business
Studio Barre, the San Diego,CA-based barre brand founded in 2008 by Shannon Higgins, has 11 studios across California, Montana, Rhode Island, and South Carolina will be rebranded as Barre3.

EXEC: Titleist and Footjoy Parent Moving to S&P SmallCap 600 Index
Acushnet Holdings Corp. (NYSE: GOLF), parent of the Titleist and Footjoy golf brands, will replace Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. in the S&P SmallCap 600.

Momentec Brands Names Chief Technology Officer
Christine Rose will oversee Momentec Brands’ technology initiatives, including digital customer-facing platforms, enterprise infrastructure, supply chain systems, and information security.

Dick’s SG Begins Enrolling Non-Employees as Paid Social Media Influencers
Since launching as an internal program in 2023, Dick’s Varsity Team members have created over 1,000 pieces of social media content, garnering over 38 million impressions, and have been featured in 10 campaigns for both Dick’s and its national brands.

Crunch Franchise to Open in Portsmouth, VA
Brian Hibbard, CEO of Fitness Ventures, LLC and the owner and operator of Crunch Fitness locations nationwide, will open a 40,000-square-foot Crunch fitness facility in Portsmouth, VA, in Summer 2025.

Nordstrom to Open Rack Store in Longmont, CO
The Rack store will occupy a 28,000-square-foot space in the Harvest Junction Shopping Center, which includes Marshall’s, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ulta Beauty, Ross Dress for Less, and other notable retailers. Harvest Junction is owned and managed by an affiliate of Pine Tree.

Report: Import Cargo Trends Remain Fluid Due to Tariff Threats
A strong December brought 2024 to a total of 25.5 million TEU, or Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units, up 14.8 percent from 2023 and the highest level since 2021’s record of 25.8 million TEU during the pandemic.

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Sees January Reporting Strong Retail Sales Gains
The Sporting Goods, Hobby, Music, and Bookstores segment was down 1.9 percent m/m, seasonally-adjusted, but up 2.82 percent y/y, unadjusted, after a very strong December trend.

Macy’s, Inc. Names Chief Stores Officer of Macy’s
Currently, Barbie Cameron is the senior vice president and regional director of stores for the East Region. Before that, she was the interim chief stores officer at Macy’s since August 2024.

EXEC: Citi Downgrades Nike Shares, Cuts Price Target After Hill Meeting
Nike management indicated that Air Jordan and Air Force One will “still be large franchises” even after inventories are managed lower, but Dunks will “not be a relevant part” of the mix over time.

EXEC: Nordic SG Retailer XXL Sees Q4 Sales Decline
Norway-based sporting goods retailer XXL ASA said it delivered total operating revenue of NOK 7.2 billion in 2024 in a Nordic sporting goods market that persisted to be challenging. Fourth quarter sales declined 1.8 percent year-over-year.

Escalade, Inc. Appoints Armin Boehm as CEO and President
Boehm will succeed Walter P. Glazer, Jr., who, in August 2024, announced his plans to retire as CEO and president. The transition takes effect April 1, 2025.