NSGA Report: Pickleball Grows 56 Percent; Flag Football Leads Youth Team Sports Growth
Most sports/activities tracked (35 of 56) experienced increased participation for 2024. Pickleball’s boom continued as it increased 56 percent to 15.4 million participants. It is the third consecutive year the sport has seen a year-over-year increase of more than 50 percent.
Crunch Fitness Acquires Nine 24 Hour Fitness Gyms in Florida
With the opening of these nine new locations, CR Fitness Holdings, LLC, led by industry veterans Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Scrimale, and Jeff Dotson, will now operate 84 gyms across Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Under Armour Appoints Three New Members to Board of Directors
Effective April 15, Dawn N. Fitzpatrick, Eugene D. Smith, and Robert J. Sweeney joined the company’s Board of Directors, which also includes Douglas E. Coltharp, Jerri L. DeVard, Mohamed A. El-Erian, Carolyn N. Everson, David W. Gibbs, Karen W. Katz, Eric T. Olson, Kevin A. Plank, and Patrick W. Whitesell.
Leonard Green & Partners Takes Majority Stake in Crunch Holdings
The firm or its affiliates have, at one time or another, been a partner or owner of Authentic Brands Group, Varsity Brands, The Sports Authority, Big 5 Sporting Goods, PureGym, Life Time Fitness, and many more.
BSN Sports Taps Donald Driver as Chief Motivation Officer for SURGE Program
SURGE (Strength, Unity, Resilience, Growth, and Equity) was founded one year ago to address the needs for tailored resources expressed by coaches and female athletes nationwide.
Under Armour Taps Cam Ward to Lead Strong NFL Draft Class for the Brand
Cam Ward, Luther Burden III, Nick Emmanwori, Matthew Golden, and Tyler Booker are the latest additions to the UA Football roster.
Jetset Pilates Inks Two Chicagoland Location Deals
The Miami, FL-based modern Reformer Pilates franchise, is entering the Chicago area after signing its first franchise deals for new locations in Naperville and Winnetka, IL.
Adidas x Edison Chen Continue Collaboration with Clot Silk Gazelle and Apparel Capsule
Merging Eastern and Western influences, Chen uses lavish fabrics throughout while introducing bold color accents. The Clot Silk Gazelle Footwear collection will be available worldwide on April 19. The Clot Silk Gazelle Apparel collection by Edison Chen will be on the Confirmed app beginning April 14.
Former Reebok Exec John Frascotti Elected Executive Chair of Newman’s Own BOD
Frascotti led multiple high-growth business units at Reebok International, Ltd. including the company’s sports footwear and apparel division, acquisitions, global sports marketing, and licensing.
TSG Consumer Appoints Managing Director and Chief Legal Officer
TSG’s representative past and current partner companies in the active lifestyle market include Backcountry, Canyon Bicycles, Nuun, Planet Fitness, Revolve and CorePower Fitness.
Good Design: Jordan Brand Air Rev Fuels Innovation in Golf Footwear
The Jordan Brand Air Rev leverages Flight Lock technology to create a customizable containment system for golfers of all abilities. The shoe will launch on May 14. A new Jordan Brand Golf apparel line will launch this summer.
UPDATED: NFL and NFLPA Helmet Lab Testing Results by Brand and Model
Notably, the NFL said the lab testing results are supported by recent on-field data — players who wore top-performing helmets had a substantially lower rate of concussions than players wearing lesser-performing helmets.
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Sees March Y/Y Retail Sales Growth Accelerate
Growth in the Clothing, Footwear and Accessories Stores sector softened from the January and February trends, while the industry that includes Sporting Goods stores accelerated versus January and February periods, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor for March.
The Beachbody Company Receives NYSE Notice as Market Cap Falls Sits $50M
The company must submit a business plan within 45 days of receipt of the NYSE Notice that demonstrates how the company expects to return to compliance with this continued listing standard within 18 months of receipt of the NYSE Notice.
What Went into Nike’s Signature Logo for A’ja Wilson?
Nike footwear and apparel designer Josanna Torrocha has “created a gleaming emblem” for A’ja Wilson, the U.S. professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces and Nike-sponsored athlete, that is “distinct and captivating” and that “pulses with her energy.”
