While M&A activity in 2025 was again focused on the active lifestyle space through smaller tuck-ins and medium-sized acquisitions, several major deals were completed.
SGB Media reported on the M&A list below in the second half of 2024. To read the full articles, click on the headlines.
July 2025
- Altri Acquires Majority Stake in Fiber Specialist AeoniQ
Portuguese fiber manufacturer Altri SGPS S.A. acquired a majority interest in Swiss clean technology company AeoniQ to support the commercial-scale development of a biodegradable cellulose-based filament designed to replace polyester and nylon. - Interactive Strength Completes Wattbike Acquisition
The owner of the CLMBR and FORME specialty fitness equipment brands and pending acquirer of Sportstech completed its previously announced all-stock acquisition of Wattbike. - Sturm, Ruger to Acquire Anderson Manufacturing
The purchase, including Anderson’s manufacturing facility and machinery, is expected to strengthen Ruger’s production capabilities and expand its product offerings. Ruger will not continue the Anderson Manufacturing brand or its firearms products. - West Water Products Acquired by 1991 Outdoors
Known for its Thingamabobber fly fishing strike indicator, West Water Products was acquired by 1991 Outdoors, LLC. - SRAM Acquires Italian Company Ochain
Chicago-based bike parts manufacturer SRAM acquired Ochain, the Italian manufacturer of chainring spiders that enable a bike’s chainring to move independently of the cranks, improving suspension and performance. - Imbox Protection Acquired by PE Firm
Altor Fund VI, a Swedish private equity firm, acquired a majority stake in Imbox Protection A/S, a Danish company specializing in footwear protection technology, while entering into a partnership with the company’s former founder and owners, Réné Marker and the Grundtvig family. - Town of Nederland Acquires Eldora Mountain Resort from Powdr
Powdr will continue to support Eldora Mountain for the first two winters and summers following the acquisition. The Town’s Board said it will partner with 303 Ski, a coalition of Front Range ski industry veterans, who have been instrumental in vetting operating plans, conducting financial modeling and assessing community programming. - Blacktusk Outdoors Acquires Lucky Strike Bait Works
Toronto-based Blacktusk Outdoors acquired the Lucky Strike fishing lure brand. Plans to reinvest in Lucky Strike’s product design, expand into new categories and increase the brand’s reach across North American and international markets are underway. - Revelyst Inc. Acquires GolfLogix, Adds App to Golf Tech Portfolio
Revelyst acquired GolfLogix, a golf course mapping company, and plans to integrate its technology into its golf platform, which includes Foresight Sports, Bushnell Golf and PinSeeker. GolfLogix’s Co-founders, Scott Lambrecht and Pete Charleston, will remain with Revelyst post-acquisition. - Black Diamond Parent Completes Sale of Pieps and JetForce Assets
The move follows a strategic review process launched in the fall of 2024 and an increasing number of U.S. CPSC recalls of Pieps products. - Matt Ginella Joins KemperSports Via Fire Pit Acquisition
Fire Pit Productions will become a subsidiary of KemperSports, and company Founder Matt Ginella will serve as KemperSports’ chief “storyteller.” - Li & Fung Acquires UK-Based Hosiery Supplier Orrsum
Hong Kong-headquartered supply chain management company Li & Fung has acquired Orrsum, a UK-based manufacturer of hosiery, underwear and loungewear, for an undisclosed amount. Founded in 1998, Orrsum reports producing over 50 million pairs of socks for distribution to over 5,000 retail doors worldwide each year. - Echelon Fitness Acquires B2B Fitness Streaming Platform
The manufacturer of connected fitness products has acquired Fortë, a B2B fitness streaming platform that enables gyms, boutique studios, influencers, and sports organizations to launch live and on-demand fitness content. Fortë will be rebranded to “Elevate by Echelon.” - Rouvy Acquires Bkrool Indoor Cycling Platform
Czech-based indoor cycling platform Rouvy reached an agreement to acquire its Spain-based competitor Bkrool. The acquisition will support Rouvy’s expansion with Bkrool having a strong presence in Spain (and Spanish-speaking countries), France and Denmark. Bkrool will continue as a standalone brand within The Rouvy Group. - Backcountry Acquires Local Utah Outdoor Value Retailer Level Nine Sports
The deal is expected to enhance Level Nine Sports’ e-commerce capabilities and physical retail experience, while providing Backcountry customers with a wider range of cost-conscious outdoor goods. - Farm to Feet Parent Nester Hosiery Acquires Assets of Fox River Mills
Following the close of the transaction, Fox River Mills will wind down its Osage production and relocate its manufacturing assets to Nester’s Mount Airy, NC headquarters. - Garmin Ltd. Acquires Dutch Sports Timing Company MyLaps
With operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, MyLaps supports brands and race management companies worldwide with data-driven tech solutions for running, cycling, motorsports, and equine competitions.
August 2025
- Thompson/Center Arms Acquires Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Company
Building on this acquisition, Thompson/Center Arms further strengthens its vertical integration and development goals, including the exploration of new barrel materials and emerging calibers. - Caleres Completes Acquisition of Stuart Weitzman
Caleres closed on the acquisition of Stuart Weitzman from Tapestry, Inc., for $120.2 million, including $11.5 million in cash received at closing. Caleres expects to leverage its footwear capabilities and expertise to return the brand to profitability after a period of transition and integration through the balance of this fiscal year. - Lazydays Completes Sale of Tulsa Location to Ron Hoover RV
Lazydays Holdings, Inc. completed the asset and real estate sale of its Tulsa, OK-based Ron Hoover RV & Marine. Lazydays now has 16 dealerships. Ron Hoover RV & Marine operates multiple locations across Texas and Oklahoma. - OR Show Parent Acquires Generis Group to Expand Executive Summits Portfolio
Emerald Holding, Inc., announced that it has acquired 100 percent of the equity interest in Generis Group, a Toronto-based provider of B2B executive summits. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. - Nevco Sports Acquires Platform to Automate Publishing Live Scores from Scoreboards
Nevco Sports LLC, known for its electronic scoreboards, has acquired Scorebird, a platform that enables organizations to automate the delivery of live scores from scoreboards. - Authentic Brands to Take Guess Private in $14 Billion Deal
Guess, Inc. agreed to be taken private by a group that includes its co-founders, CEO, and Authentic Brands in a deal valuing the apparel brand at $1.4 billion, including debt. With approximately $6 billion in global retail-equivalent sales, the denim brand will become Authentic’s second-largest brand after Reebok. - Legends Boxing, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, and KickHouse Merged via Acquisition
Giant Ideas, LLC has acquired Mayweather Boxing + Fitness and KickHouse, combining them with its flagship brand, Legends Boxing, to form what the company believes is the largest skill-based fitness network in the industry. - Sender One Climbing Acquires Brand’s Flagship LAX Gym Location
The LAX facility is reportedly a “pillar of Southern California’s climbing community and Sender One’s operations.” The company also has locations in SoCal, including Westwood, Playa Vista, Santa Ana, and Lakewood. A new location in Alisa Viejo is scheduled to open in 2026. - Five Iron Golf Acquires Chicago’s Golf the Green
Golf the Green will re-open under the Five Iron brand in Bucktown, a historic Chicago neighborhood on the city’s northwest side, making it the company’s fourth in the city. - British Travel Brand Antler Buys U.S. Luggage Brand Paravel
The acquisition followed Paravel’s bankruptcy filing, with British travel brand Antler purchasing the assets after being the highest bidder. - Britain’s Castore Acquires Belstaff
British activewear brand Castore has acquired Belstaff, the luxury motorcycle-inspired menswear brand. Under the deal, Ineos, Belstaff’s previous owner, will make a “significant strategic investment” in Castore’s holding company.
September 2025
- Colt CZ Group Acquires Majority Stake in Czech Powder and Propellant Maker
Czech-based firearms maker Colt CZ Group SE acquires a majority stake, potentially all of the shares, in Synthesia Nitrocellulose, a Czech manufacturer of gunpowder ingredients. The deal values Synthesia Nitrocellulose at CZK 22 billion ($1.05 billion). - Genesis Health Clubs Adds Third Louisiana Location Via Acquisition
The privately owned U.S. health club chain has acquired Pelican Athletic Club in Mandeville, LA, located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The newly acquired property will be rebranded to Genesis Health Clubs-PAC. - Backcountry Acquires Portland’s Velotech, Inc. to Broaden Cycling Bonafides
The Portland, OR-based cycling retailer known for its BikeTiresDirect, Western Bikeworks and TriSports brands, marks Backcountry’s second acquisition in 45 days, following its July 24 purchase of Utah-based retailer Level Nine Sports. - JustBrand Ltd. Acquires Venture Heat
JustBrand Limited, the maker of heated and cooling apparel, has acquired Venture Heat, a U.S. manufacturer of battery-heated apparel and therapy products. JustBrand’s portfolio of heated and cooling brands includes ActionHeat, Gerbing, AlphaCool, and Chaheati. - Amazfit Parent Acquires Wild.AI
Zepp Health, the parent company of Amazfit, acquired Wild.AI, a women’s wellness platform, for its core assets and intellectual property. The deal also builds on Zepp Health’s previous partnership with Wild.AI, which includes the Wild.AI mini app on Amazfit’s Active 2 smartwatch. - VSP Vision to Acquire Eyewear Maker for Adidas, Timberland, and Skechers Brands
California-based VSP Vision agreed to acquire Marcolin, the Italian maker of eyewear under Adidas, Timberland, Skechers, and other luxury and lifestyle brands, through licensing agreements. VSP is the parent of New York-based Marchon, which owns the eyewear licenses for Nike, Canada Goose, Columbia, Converse, and Lacoste in the active lifestyle space. - Arbiter Sports Acquires BigTeams
The acquisition combines two companies in the athletic scheduling and team management software space for schools, and it also builds on the recent acquisition of rSchoolToday, giving Arbiter Sports over 150 U.S.-based employees. - Dick’s SG Completes Foot Locker Takeover; Names New North America Senior Team
Ann Freeman, a former Nike executive, has been appointed president of Foot Locker North America. Freeman will be supported by a Foot Locker senior management team. Freeman and an International president will report to DKS Executive Chairman Ed Stack. - True Hockey Acquired by W. Graeme Roustan
Graeme Roustan, who acquired Bauer from Nike in 1988, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire True Hockey, the manufacturer of hockey equipment, from True Temper Sports, Inc. - Game One Acquires Wisconsin-Team Dealer Brandtek
Game One, a consortium of team dealers, announced its acquisition of Brandtek’s sales team, a team dealer based in Madison, WI, deepening its Midwest presence. - MySize Acquires Europe’s ShoeSize.Me
The acquisition, primarily structured as a share deal, will provide investors with 241,093 newly issued shares of common stock and a cash payment of $150,000. ShoeSize.Me., a European SaaS company, specializes in AI-powered footwear sizing and fit solutions. - Sweden’s WeSports Acquires Norway’s Sportsmaster
The acquisition expands WeSports’ presence in the Nordic fitness market. Sportsmaster distributes Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, TRX, and Sportsmaster products to B2B customers. It also sells DTC through Sportsmaster.no. - Avid Sportswear Acquired by Fortified Equity; Pete Angle Named CEO
Prior to his role at Avid, Angle was president and CMO at Marolina Outdoor, the parent of the Huk and Nomad brands. Angle previously served as SVP of Marketing at Plano Synergy, a nearly seven-year stint after marketing roles at Mossberg and Under Armour. - Artistic Milliners Acquires Majority Stake in Cone Denim
Artistic Milliners acquired a majority stake in Cone Denim from Elevate Textiles. The combined company will operate under the Cone Denim name. Artistic Milliners’ Pakistan operations and business will continue to operate independently. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. - Riton Optics Acquires Blackhound Optics
Riton Optics announced the acquisition of Blackhound Optics, a DTC optics brand, increasing its share in the optics space. Terms were not disclosed. - Bass Pro’s White River Marine Group Acquires Hobie Brand, Moves Production to U.S.
White River Marine Group has acquired the water sports brand Hobie, with plans to return its production and jobs to Lebanon, MO, from Mexico. - Skechers Completes Deal to Become Private Company
Skechers announced the completion of its $9 billion go-private acquisition by 3G Capital, the largest shoe buyout in history. - Planet Fitness Franchisee Acquires 17 Locations in Oregon and Alaska
Easy Mile Fitness, the privately held Planet Fitness franchisee, completed the acquisition from the Bravo Fit Franchise Group, which adds 15 Planet Fitness locations in Oregon and two in Alaska. - Escalade, Inc. Acquires Gold Tip Archery Business from Revelyst
Escalade’s portfolio of archery brands, led by Jon Lené, president of Bear Archery, now includes the Gold Tip and Bee Stinger brands, alongside its roster of Bear Archery, Trophy Ridge and Cajun Bowfishing.
October 2025
- Pure Hockey Enters Kansas Market with Bar Down Hockey Shop Acquisition
With this latest acquisition, Pure Hockey now operates 86 retail locations across 32 states. - Vida Shoes International Completes Acquisition of Munro & Co.
With this acquisition, Vida said it will strengthen its position in the comfort category and deepen its reach with multi-generational consumers. - Rival Acquires Shake to Elevate Sport Fan Engagement; Closes $2.8M Funding Round
Rival, a NYC-based provider of a fan engagement platform built on gaming competitions, closed a $2.8 million first funding round and acquired Shake, a remote provider of a Gen Z-focused social games platform. - The Bay Club Company Acquires Iconic and Historic Griffin Club Los Angeles
Founded in 1926 as the Westside Tennis Club, Griffin Club has “evolved from a Hollywood retreat into a modern destination for sports and lifestyle, blending nearly a century of history with a complete $30 million rebuild in 2018.” - Big 5 Completes Go-Private Transaction
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. announced the completion of the merger with a partnership comprised of Worldwide Golf and Capitol Hill Group. With this, Big 5 becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of the partnership. - Sony Acquires Sports Analytics Firm STATSports
Sony Corp. has acquired a majority stake in STATSports Group, a Northern Ireland-based sports data and performance analysis company. Using tracking technologies, including wearable devices with GPS, heart rate and accelerometer sensors, STATSports provides “more than 70 real-time metrics processed on-board for immediate feedback.” - Crecera Brands Acquires Salt Strong
Crecera Brands, the parent of Sportsman’s Guide, The Golf Warehouse and Baseball Savings, reported reaching an agreement to acquire Salt Strong, an online fishing app serving the saltwater fishing community. Luke and Joe Simonds, brothers and founders, will continue to run the business. - Worldly Acquires Apparel Sustainability Platform GoBlu
Sustainability data and analytics solutions provider Worldly acquired textile and apparel sector-focused environmental data platform GoBlu, the parent of The BHive. - Sports Direct Parent Acquires U.S. Luxury Retailer The Webster
Frasers Group, the parent company of Sports Direct, has acquired a majority stake in the Miami, FL-based luxury retailer The Webster, strengthening its position in the luxury space. - Rally House Adds 11 Stores Via Two Acquisitions
Rally House added 11 stores through the acquisition of Best of Big Red, including two stores in Nebraska and Gold Country, and nine stores in Wisconsin and Minnesota. - Birkenstock Acquires Australian Distributor
Birkenstock Holding plc has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire its long-time distributor, Birkenstock Australia Pty. Ltd. Birkenstock said its “commitment to invest in the Australian market will further unlock the growth potential of one of Birkenstock’s largest markets in the APAC region.” - UK’s Whyte Bikes Acquired by Private Equity Firm
Whyte Bikes has been acquired by Causeway Capital, a Dublin-based private equity firm, from Cairngorm Capital. Nikki Hawyes will continue to lead the U.K.-based bike maker as CEO. - TAF Parent Arklyz to Acquire German Comfort Brand Gabor
Arklyz aims to enhance Gabor’s international presence, expand digital and direct-to-consumer channels, and unlock operational synergies across sourcing, design and brand management. - OrderMyGear to Merge with Inktavo
OrderMyGear (OMG) announced plans to merge with Inktavo, a provider of software solutions for decorated apparel and promotional products, including InkSoft, Printavo, GraphicsFlow, SignTracker, and Clarity Software. - Forloh Acquires Divide Gun Company, U.S. Maker of Long-Range Rifles
Forloh, the U.S.-based manufacturer of technical apparel for Hunt and Outdoor, has acquired Salmon, ID-based Divide Gun Company, a maker of precision rifles founded by Todd Walchli and Rob Radcliffe. - Gogglesoc Parent Acquires Phunkshun Wear
Lowerleft Designs, Ltd., the parent company of Gogglesoc, has acquired Phunkshun Wear, a maker of facewear and headwear from recycled fabrics. A refreshed brand direction for Phunkshun Wear is slated for FW26/27. - Piper Sandler Acquires MENA Growth Partners to Strengthen Middle East Presence
Nabeel Siddiqui, managing director at Piper Sandler London, will move to the Abu Dhabi office after closing to head investment banking in the region while continuing oversight of its European business. - Zoot Sports Acquires European Distributor
Zoot Sports, the triathlon brand owned by Italy’s MVC Group, has acquired Tailwind Brands GmbH, its European distributor based in Bönen, Germany. - Safariland Parent to Acquire TYR Tactical
Cadre Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Safariland safety products, agreed to acquire TYR Tactical, a manufacturer of tactical gear and equipment for military and law enforcement. - EoS Fitness Acquires 23 Gold’s Gym Locations in Southern California
With the acquisition, EoS enters new markets in Southern California, including Beverly Center, Hollywood, Long Beach, and Santa Barbara. EoS plans to retain all of the franchise’s gym-level teams. - Coats Completes Acquisition of OrthoLite
London-based Coats Group, a manufacturer of specialty threads and structural components for apparel and footwear, completed the acquisition of U.S.-based footwear insole maker OrthoLite. - PlayPower Acquired by Platinum Equity
PlayPower, maker of commercial recreational and leisure products, has been acquired by Platinum Equity, a Los Angeles, CA-based private equity firm. The seller was Littlejohn & Co, LLC.
November 2025
- KKR-Backed Bay Club Acquires Five-Club Arena Sports Chain
The Bay Club Company announced the acquisition of Arena Sports, which comprises five locations in the Seattle, WA, area, including Mill Creek, Magnuson, SODO, Redmond, and Issaquah, as well as the Magnuson Athletic Club. - GSM Outdoors Acquires Smith’s Products
Founded in 1886 as a family-run business mining and selling raw stone, Smith’s Products has evolved to offer a range of sharpening tools and knives designed for hunting, fishing and culinary use. - VF Completes Sale of Dickies
VF Corp. closed on its previously announced transaction to sell the Dickies brand to Bluestar Alliance LLC for an aggregate base purchase price of $600 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments. - Trigon Sports Acquires Proper Pitch
Trigon Sports, based in Memphis, TN, announced the acquisition of Proper Pitch, Inc., the U.S. manufacturer of pitching mounds and baseball training aids headquartered in Fuquay-Varina, NC. - The BasicNet Group Adds Woolrich to Brand Family in €40 Million Acquisition
The operation involves the acquisition, through a company wholly owned by BasicNet, of the rights to the Woolrich brand for Europe and of 100 percent of Woolrich Europe SpA, the company that handles its distribution and retail. - Marquee Brands Acquires Stance Brand; Delegates Global License to United Legwear
Stance’s lineup includes longstanding partnerships with the NBA, MLB, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as prior collaborations with artists, athletes and cultural figures. - Workwear Brand Portwest Acquires Latin American Competitor
Portwest, the manufacturer of workwear, safety footwear and personal protective equipment (PPE), based in Westport, Ireland, has acquired a majority shareholding in Grupo Kondor Colombia S.A.S., a safety footwear brand based in Colombia, South America. - Sports Direct Parent Acquires Glasgow’s Braehead Shopping Centre
Frasers Group plc, the UK-based parent of Sports Direct, announced the acquisition of Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest shopping center.
December 2025
- RG Barry Brands to Acquire Licenses for Clarks, Timberland Slippers
RG Barry Brands agreed to acquire substantially all of Green Market Services Co. Inc.’s assets, including its licensed slipper businesses for Clarks, Timberland and its existing private label business. - Gildan Activewear Inc. Completes Acquisition of HanesBrands Inc.
Montreal-based Gildan Activewear, Inc. completed its acquisition of Hanesbrands, the parent of Hanes, Playtex, Bali, L’eggs, Just My Size, Barely There, Wonderbra, for an enterprise value of $4.4 billion. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Gildan’s adjusted diluted EPS. - Campers Inn RV Completes Lazydays Acquisition
Campers Inn RV announced that its acquisition of Lazydays RV is complete and is the official operator of the following seven locations: Tucson, AZ (Airstream of Tucson); Ramsey, MN (Airstream of Minnesota); Johnstown, CO; Knoxville, TN (Airstream of Knoxville); St. George, UT; Wilmington, OH; and Seffner, FL. - Centric Brands Acquires Kidswear Brand Vingino
Founded in 2001 by Marijke van Beek and Bennie Dekker, Vingino is a denim-focused, multi-category global brand that also offers adult fashion. - Sebago and Woolrich Parent BasicNet Enters Beachwear Business with Sundek Acquisition
The acquisition of Sundek is expected to enable BasicNet S.p.A. to bolster its portfolio with another brand that aligns with the Group and fills a gap in the beachwear category. - Fitness Ventures Adds to Network with Acquisition of Three Crunch Gyms in Texas
The largest franchisee of the Crunch Fitness system has acquired Crunch Brownsville, Crunch North Brownsville and Crunch Edinburg in Texas, respectively, marking another step in Fitness Ventures’ national growth strategy. - Sports Direct Parent Frasers Group Acquires Swindon’s Designer Outlet
Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, has acquired Swindon Designer Outlet, a covered designer outlet in Swindon, England, to add to its recent acquisition of several retail properties. - Aligned Fitness Acquires 13 Club Pilates Studios
Aligned Fitness, a portfolio company of Eagle Merchant Partners, recently completed four add-on acquisitions comprising 13 studios, expanding the company’s Club Pilates footprint across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. - Allen Company Acquires Domain Outdoor
Founded in Wisconsin in 2019 by Mike Lindahl and Tim Schutts, both avid hunters, Domain Outdoor products are sold through over 4,000 retailers nationwide. - Destination XL Group to Merge with FullBeauty Brands
The parent of DXL Big + Tall and Casual Male X has agreed to merge with FullBeauty, which owns several plus-size retailers and e-commerce sites, to create a plus-size retail entity. - Pickleball Kingdom Acquires New Jersey’s The Pickle Jar
The eight-court facility will be upfitted into Pickleball Kingdom Hillsborough, led by franchisees Yashraj Kurani and Dip Jadawala. The location gives Pickleball Kingdom four locations in New Jersey, including Hamilton, Tinton Falls and Watchung. - Escalade Acquires AllCornhole
Founded in 2013, AllCornhole complements Escalade’s Victory Tailgate brand and its partnership with the American Cornhole League (ACL). - Hong Kong’s Lever Style Corp. Acquires Australia’s Active Apparel Group
Lever Style Corporation, a Hong Kong-based apparel manufacturer, acquired Active Apparel Group (AAG), an Australian-based manufacturer of activewear, outerwear and swimwear. - Sports Attack Acquired by Private Equity Firm
Sports Attack, a maker of pitching machines for baseball and softball, serving machines for volleyball and passing/kicking machines for football, was acquired by Seattle, WA-based private equity firm Sound Growth Partners (SGP). - Mips AB Completes Koroyd Acquisition
The Sweden-based maker of helmet protection technologies acquired all shares of the body and head impact protection brand Koroyd for €40 million ($46.9 million). - Paddletek Financial Partner Merges Paddlesport Brands Under New Paddletek Group
The provider of performance pickleball paddles and padel rackets, backed and managed by Thirty-5 Capital, said the change will merge Paddletek, ProXR, Padeltek, and Yobow, which is expected to advance the Group’s development of performance pickleball and padel equipment. - Golden Goose Acquired by Chinese Fund HSG At €2.5 Valuation
Italian luxury sneaker maker Golden Goose said that Chinese private equity firm HSG, formerly known as Sequoia Capital China, had become a majority shareholder after buying a stake from current owner Permira, reportedly at a valuation of around €2.5 billion ($3 billion).
Image courtesy Foot Locker
See below for the top M&A stories for the first half of 2o25:
