Goat Announces Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma As Brand Ambassador
Goat, the marketplace for sneakers, announced a partnership with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma as the company’s first Brand Ambassador. The 2018 All-Rookie First Team select will represent Goat on and off the court throughout the NBA season.
Puma Signs DeMarcus Cousins
Puma has officially signed DeMarcus Cousins of the Golden State Warriors after Nike declined to exercise the company’s match rights according to ESPN.
Nike’s CIO Joins Merck & Co
Jim Scholefield, Nike Inc.’s global CIO, is joining Merck & Co. as chief information and digital officer, effective October 29.
Caleres Announces Acquisition Of Vionic
Caleres announced the company has acquired Vionic Group for $360 million, subject to certain adjustments. The acquisition of Vionic allows Caleres to continue to expand the company’s Brand Portfolio and gives the company additional access to the growing contemporary comfort footwear category.
Schuylkill Valley Sports Partners With Celerant Technology On New SSI Data Linked Platform
Celerant Technology, a leading provider of innovative retail and e-commerce solutions, announced that Schuylkill Valley Sports (SV Sports) has become the company’s first client to integrate their weekly SSI Data point-of-sale data reporting through Celerant’s new integration tools that connect seamlessly with SSI Data. Through this integration, SV Sports has easy access to robust marketplace trend reporting tools and reports to help the company compete and grow business.

Skechers Q3 Earnings Dip
Skechers USA reported earnings eased 1.7 percent in the third quarter but results came in slightly ahead of a forecast given in July. Sales rose 7.5 percent, led by double-digit growth in both the company’s international wholesale and worldwide company-owned retail businesses, but came in below targets.

Oppenheimer Upgrades Nike On “Technological Evolution” Promise
Oppenheimer lifted the rating on Nike Inc. to “Outperform” due to the company’s investments in building a “digitally-enhanced” business model that are expected to “enhance most facets of its business.”
New Iconix CEO Resigns From Big 5’s Board
Big 5 Sporting Goods reported Robert Galvin, who was just named CEO of Iconix Brand Group, has resigned from the company’s board of directors.

Moody’s Affirms Bass Pro’s Ratings On Cabela’s Progress
Moody’s affirmed the ratings of Bass Pro after due to improving margins as synergies from the company’s merger with Cabela’s have arrived ahead of plan. Bass Pro’s debt repayments have also been higher than expected since the acquisition closed.

Under Armour Signs Two NBA Rookies: Mo Bamba And Hamidou Diallo
Under Armour signed Orlando Magic rookie center Mo Bamba and Oklahoma City Thunder rookie guard Hamidou Diallo.

Nike And U.S. Olympic Committee Launch Online Training Tool For Coaches
Nike and the United States Olympic Committee, as part of the committee’s commitment to Project Play 2020, announced the release of How to Coach Kids, a free, 30-minute training course on coaching kids ages 12 and under.
Under Armour’s HR Chief Joins Talent Agency
Kerry Chandler, chief HR officer for Under Armour since 2015, has joined Endeavor, the talent agency based in Los Angeles.

Gordon Hayward Signs Offer Sheet With Anta
Chinese sports brand Anta in ab brief statement said Gordon Hayward, the Boston Celtics’ star forward, has officially signed an offer sheet with the company.

Fleet Feet Announces Opening Of Second Location In Mississippi
Fleet Feet announced the opening of a store in Flowood, MS, later this fall. Lesley and Matthew Holleman, co-owners of the Fleet Feet location in Ridgeland, MS, will own the 1,956-square-foot store.

Dick’s Sporting Goods To Hire 5,000 on “National Signing Day”
Sporting goods retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods has announced that the company will host the company’s own “National Signing Day” on October 24 to support the company’s hiring efforts for seasonal teammate positions nationwide.