EXEC: Interactive Strength Cries Foul as Sportstech Seeks to Suspend Acquisition Talks
Interactive Strength CEO Trent Ward pushed back on Sportstech’s claims that negotiations between the two companies were suspended effective November 27, 2025, indicating that his company provided Sportstech with critical working capital that materially improved its performance — a loan that came due on December 30, 2025.
EXEC: Arklyz Completes Acquisition of Gabor Shoes
Arklyz, the Swiss parent of The Athlete’s Foot, has completed its acquisition of Gabor Shoes, a German brand known for its women’s shoes designed in Germany and handcrafted in Europe.
EXEC: Lululemon Responds to Founder’s Proxy Fight Moves
In response to Lululemon Athletica’s founder, Chip Wilson, announcing that he has submitted a notice to nominate three director candidates, Lululemon defended the experience of its board, its CEO succession process, and the retailer’s performance since Wilson stepped down from the board in 2015. Lululemon also reported it will evaluate Wilson’s board nominees “in due course in accordance with the Board’s governance process.”
EXEC: Lululemon Founder Launches Proxy Fight Over Board Seats, New CEO Pick
Chip Wilson’s Board nominees include Marc Maurer, the former Co-CEO of On Holding, as well as the former CEO of Activision and a former chief marketing officer at ESPN. Wilson said the CEO selection must take place following significant Board changes.
EXEC: Fuji Brand’s Chinese Parent Pacific Glory Worldwide to Launch U.S. Distributor Network
The China-based owner of the Fuji, SE and Tuesday bike brands has formed a dedicated distribution arm, the company said, which was “created to better serve U.S. bicycle retailers and adapt to the realities of a shifting global market.”
EXEC: J-Long Group Posts Strong Fiscal H1 Growth on Strong Demand from Key Customers
The Hong Kong-based maker of reflective and non-reflective garment trims saw fiscal first-half revenue increase approximately 19.3 percent year-over-year to $22.7 million for the period ended September 30, 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $3.9 million for the six months ended September 30, achieving 40.3 percent growth year-over-year.
EXEC: Apple CEO Doubles Stake in Nike, Inc.; NKE Shares Move Higher
NKE shares rose in low single-digits overnight on news that Apple CEO Tim Cook took advantage of the lower share price and jumped in with a ~$3 million purchase of NKE shares on Monday, December 22.
SGB 2025 Year In Review: Active Lifestyle M&A — Part Two
SGB Media presents a roundup of M&A action in the industry for the second half of 2025, including new deals struck or closed in the final days of 2025..
EXEC: BRP, Inc. Reports Closing of Secondary Offering
The Canada-based owner of the Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo, and Lynx powersports brands, has closed on the previously announced bought-deal secondary Offering pursuant to which Bain Capital Integral Investors II, L.P. sold 1,850,000 Subordinate Voting Shares of BRP.
SGB 2025 Year In Review: Active Lifestyle M&A — Part One
While M&A activity in the active lifestyle space in 2025 was again dominated by smaller tuck-ins and medium-size acquisitions, Skechers, Foot Locker, Hanesbrands, OrthoLite, and Helly Hansen were among the major deals that were completed during the year. Here is a roundup of the industry’s M&A action for the first half of 2025.
EXEC: Textiss To Take Over Umbro France Footwear and Apparel License
Textiss, which has served as Umbro’s underwear and socks licensee in France for the past decade, will assume responsibility for the brand’s licence from the Royer Group, which has held the rights for the past 10 years.
Golden Goose Acquired by Chinese Fund HSG at €2.5 Valuation
Italian luxury sneaker maker Golden Goose reported that the Chinese private equity firm HSG, formerly Sequoia Capital China, has become a majority shareholder after buying a stake from current owner Permira.
EXEC: European Workwear Giant Strauss to Open U.S. HQ in Ohio
Engelbert Strauss Inc., the German workwear brand known as Strauss, plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Columbus, OH. Founded over 75 years ago, Strauss’ line ranges from high-visibility jackets to protective gloves, work shoes, and safety caps.
BRP, Inc. Reports Aussie Commission’s is Opposing Sale of Telwater Marine Business
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) decision to oppose the proposed sale of BRP’s Telwater Pty, Ltd. (Telwater) business to Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd
EXEC: Carbon Fiber Bike Frame Maker J-Star Delivers Strong H1 Growth; Receives Nasdaq Notice
The Taiwanese maker of carbon fiber and composite solutions supporting rackets and bikes said it received a letter of noncompliance from Nasdaq market for failing to meet the continued listing requirement that requires a stock maintain a minimum bid price of $1 per share for 30 consecutive business days.
