
Turtleson Toasts Grover Walker on Account Exec’s Retirement
Grover Walker has represented Izod Lacoste, Corbin, Bobby Jones, and, most recently, Turtleson over his 50-year career. Turtleson has named Tammy Kaminsky, who joined the company in 2022 with over 30 years of experience representing global brands, to replace Walker.

Health & Fitness Association to Induct First Class Into HFA Hall of Fame
The HFA has selected six industry leaders to induct into its inaugural HFA Hall of Fame class. The inductees are Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Rick Caro, Red Lerille, Julie Main, John McCarthy, and Augie Nieto.

EXEC: Hoka Growth Trend Concerns Sends Deckers Brands Shares Down Double Digits
Net sales increased 17.1 percent to $1.83 billion compared to $1.56 billion in the prior-year Q3 period. On a constant-currency (cc) basis, net sales increased 16.6 percent. Analysts were expecting growth of 11.6 percent, a clear beat.

Pickleball Kingdom Franchisee to Open Facility in Centerville, Ohio
Franchisees Dhaval Patel and Sanjay Patel, co-leaders of Pickleball X, will open a new venue in Centerville, OH, on Main Street. The 36,000-square-foot space will include 13 indoor courts with a target opening in April 2025.

EXEC:Beyond Yoga Parent Sees Active Athleisure Brand as Billion-Dollar Bet
Levi’s CEO said the company is excited to open its first Beyond Yoga East Coast store in Connecticut later this year and remain confident about the prospects for Beyond Yoga to one day become a billion-dollar brand.

Wilson Launches Female-Specific Tennis Shoe
“The Intrigue redefines what it means to play fast, and it will undoubtedly give women tennis players the bold advantage they need to dominate on-court.” —Gordon Devin, President, Wilson Sportswear

REI to Relocate Eugene Store to Oakway Center
The Oakway Center space will be one level and nearly 10,000 square feet larger than the current store with larger product assortments, improved dressing rooms and ample warehouse space. The 41 employees that work at the store can relocate to the new location.

Pickleball Kingdom Partners with Donald Driver for Club Expansion in Wisconsin and Minnesota
Working alongside Greg Straub and Doug Reigle of Pickleball Sports LLC, Driver will launch a flagship club in Menomonee Falls, WI, opening in early March of 2025, with additional clubs planned for Green Bay and Madison.

EXEC: VF Corp. Sees Global Strength From TNF and Timberland; Vans Improves
The parent of the Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Smartwool, Jansport and Dickies active lifestyle and street lifestyle brands, reported Wednesday that it beat third-quarter revenue and profit estimates.

Report: Affordability Plays Key Role in Global Physical Inactivity
HFA’s latest report, Reversing the Physical Inactivity Crisis – Fitness Affordability as Strategic Policy, covering ten international markets, highlights the important role that affordability plays in global physical inactivity.

U.S. Soccer Federation Partners with Home Depot to Support National Soccer Teams
The new partnership includes extensive programming for all 27 U.S. Soccer National Teams while supporting the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, made possible by a $50 million contribution in 2024 from iconic businessman and philanthropist Arthur M. Blank, The Home Depot co-founder and Atlanta United owner.

Golf VX Enters Franchising Market with First North American Venue
The 12,000-square-foot flagship franchise in Arlington Heights, IL, features 12 golf simulator bays, each with the technology of Golf VX’s T2 simulator with modes for any mix of play, practice and competition.

Brookfield-Backed Trimco Group Acquires Nexgen Packaging
Nexgen Packaging’s management team will continue to manage the business under its current CEO, Jim Welch. The acquisition will allow both companies to integrate their global sales and manufacturing networks.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Adding Ohio Ambient Distribution Center
The new 500,000-square-foot facility, expected to open in early 2027, will join eight BJ’s clubs in the state.

Orangetheory Fitness to Introduce FDA-Approved Air Purification Tech to Studios
The agreement will introduce to certain Orangetheory Fitness studios nationwide Molekule’s FDA-approved, proprietary air purification technology designed to enhance indoor air quality.