SGB Executive Sportsmans
EXEC: HydraPak’s CEO Talks Up Hydration’s OEM and Brand Opportunities
Matt Lyon, president and CEO of HydraPak LLC, spoke with SGB Executive about the ever-evolving and trendy hydration opportunity, including his company’s two-pronged approach to the category as both an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supporting over 120 brands and a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand with HydraPak.
EXEC: Dick’s SG Scores Upgrade from Baird, Eyes Strong Foot Locker Recovery Potential
Baird raised its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. to “Outperform” from “Neutral” due in part to bullishness on a robust recovery of the recently-acquired Foot Locker business. Analyst Jonathan Komp wrote in a note, “We are impressed by Dick’s productivity gains vs. pre-COVID levels and bullish on the multi-year Foot Locker recovery (levered to NKE’s turn).”
EXEC: Shimano Gets Nice Europe Lift in Bicycle Components in 2025 to Offset Sharp China Decline
The company said its views on the economic outlook remain cautious due to trade policies worldwide and rising geopolitical risks, including prolonged international conflicts, which have created uncertainty in the current economic conditions. The company said demand for bicycles and fishing tackle remained weak in this environment.
EXEC: Under Armour Sees NA Business on Road to Stabilization
Under Armour Inc.’s North America sales tumbled 10 percent in the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, but Kevin Plank, president, CEO and founder, told analysts the region is “beginning to turn the corner” and on the path towards its goal of stabilizing in fiscal 2027. He said, “Traffic, yes, remained soft, but underlying indicators are improving.”
EXEC: Big Rock Sports To Liquidate, Unsecured Debt Totals $83M
Big Rock Sports, the Graham, NC-based distributor of fishing, hunting and outdoor sporting goods, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation, listing just over $100 million in liabilities. Unsecured claims totaling about $83 million and including many vendors in litigation with Big Rock are not expected to be paid.
EXEC: Columbia Sportswear Shares Jump as CEO Sees Green Shoots Developing
One analyst on the company’s conference call noted that Columbia’s “FY26 outlook points to sequentially strengthening fundamentals, with topline growth poised to inflect on improving U.S. selling conditions, high-single-digit price increases embedded in the order book, and contributions across all brands.”
EXEC: Rapala VMC Inks Down Under Distribution Deal with Okuma Fishing Tackle
Finland-based Rapala VMC will add the Taiwan-based Okuma fishing product range into the Rapala Australia product portfolio commencing on February 1, 2026.
EXEC: Nester Hosiery CEO Talks Fox River Acquisition, Socks Opportunity
Kelly Nester, CEO of Nester Hosiery, spoke with SGB Executive about last year’s acquisition of Fox River Socks; opportunities in private label, licensed properties, and Farm to Feet; and Nester Hosiery’s 33 years in socks innovation.
EXEC: Osprey Still Posting Growth for Parent; Hydro Flask Slips Again in Q3
Helen of Troy, Ltd.’s Home & Outdoor segment, which includes Hydro Flask, Osprey and Oxo, reported sales declined 6.7 percent to $229.6 million, dragged down by Hydro Flask. Helen of Troy also said it now expects to show a companywide loss for the year due to the promotional climate, consumer trading down and the impact of tariffs.
EXEC: Colt CZ Group Acquires Majority Stake in Czech Powder and Propellant Maker
Czech-based firearms maker Colt CZ Group SE completed its acquisition of a 51 percent stake in Synthesia Nitrocellulose, the Czech manufacturer of gunpowder ingredients. The total acquisition price is CZK 10.0 billion ($480 mm), after deduction of Synthesia Nitrocellulose’s net debt.
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead – Active Lifestyle Industry Analysts and Advisors
This is the first installment in a series of articles from SGB Media exploring the industry’s outlook for 2026, with future reporting to include the viewpoints of vendors, retailers, component companies, and trade organizations in the active and outdoor lifestyle space. Insights from executives at Houlihan Lokey, RW Baird, Lincoln International, Karnan Associates, Wells Fargo, Stifel, BCE Consulting, and Outsize Consulting.
SGB 2025 Year in Review: Active Lifestyle Stocks Take It On the Chin Again
The wide majority of stocks trading in the active lifestyle space in 2025 sharply underperformed broader market gains for the fourth straight year. The lackluster performance was in large part due to disruptions from tariffs, as well as stalled turnaround efforts in several major stocks, including Nike, VF Corp. and Lululemon.
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.
