Nike, Inc. Names Amy Montagne Nike Brand President as Heidi O’Neill Retires
Amy Montagne was named president, Nike Brand; Phil McCartney appointed EVP and chief innovation, design & product officer; Nicole Graham appointed EVP and CMO; and Tom Clarke named chief growth initiatives officer.
Pickleball Kingdom Franchise Opening in Manchester, CT
Spanning 30,681 square feet and featuring 10 professional-grade indoor courts, led by franchise group Pickleball X Equity, the member-based club will open in late 2025
EXEC: Analysts Offer Take on Skechers USA Going Private in $9.4 Billion Deal
Amid significant uncertainty in the marketplace caused by the President’s trade war, Skechers USA agreed to be acquired by private equity firm 3G Capital for $9.4 billion in a move that will end its 26-year run in the public markets. The sale announcement follows a decision by Skechers not to offer full-year guidance in April due to trade uncertainties with shoe companies highly exposed to President Trump’s tariffs.
OrderMyGear Promotes Drew Simon to VP of Engineering
In his new role, Simon will evolve the technical platform to support advanced functionality and to unify OMG’s solution portfolio. Simon will also oversee platform stability and ongoing improvements across OMG’s services.
Gold’s Gym Closes Last Two Locations in El Paso
Gold’s Gym’s El Paso Instagram account states, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have made the difficult decision to close our Gold’s Gym locations in El Paso.”
Amped Fitness To Enter Houston Market with Two New Clubs
Amped Fitness, the Florida-based HVLP chain, is making its debut this summer in Houston, TX, with the opening of two new clubs, Amped Fitness Willowbrook and Amped Fitness Gessner
EXEC: SFIA State of the Industry Report Reveals Healthy Industry Profits in 2024
Besides tariffs and economic concerns, the SFIA State of the Industry Report outlines that industry executives are pleased with recent performance results and are upbeat about prospects.
Escalade’s Q1 Sales Slide 3 Percent
Escalade, Inc. reported improved earnings climbed 44.4 percent with a boost from improved gross margins. Sales were down 3.2 percent, although growth was achieved in archery, outdoor games, darting, and safety categories.
SGB Media Relaunches SGB Sports & Fitness Update Newsletter
The publishing company, which has focused on the active lifestyle market since 2003, is now delivering a weekly SGB Sports & Fitness Update email newsletter each Friday afternoon, except for holidays, to provide a focused view and weekly wrap of the top stories of the week for sports and fitness industry professionals heading into the weekend.
Report: Performance FW Outperforms Total FW Market in Q1; Running Grows 7 Percent
The retail tracking and market advisory firm reported that Sport Lifestyle, or athleisure sneakers, once again was the largest footwear segment, growing almost 1 percent for the quarter. Performance Footwear grew 4 percent during the period, led by Running.
EXEC: Brooks Running Boasts Strong Q1 Gains in Int’l Markets and U.S. Run Specialty
The company did not provide growth trends or volume for U.S. national retailers although it did provide select market research data for the channel. That channel is heavily dominated by On and Hoka in the current environment. A push in lifestyle may give Brooks, like Asics last year, a solid re-positioning in the channel.
Puma Plans to Move London HQ to Manchester
The 20,000-square-foot space will house Puma sales, marketing, merchandising, finance, operations and direct-to-consumer departments.
Pvolve Signs Four New U.S. Franchise Studio Deals
The newly signed deals “mark a strategic expansion into key regions,” in Orange County, CA; Lincoln Park, IL; Barrington, RI; and Pleasantville, NY.
Kohl’s BOD Terminates New CEO for Cause; Forecasts Q1 Comps Down in Mid Singles
Multiple sources are publishing that Buchanan was terminated after an investigation found that he violated the retailer’s code of conduct by entering into a “highly unusual” business deal.
Crunch Franchise to Open in Oklahoma
Crunch OKC Midwest City in Midwest City, OK, will open this fall. The 47,000-square-foot fitness facility will be located in the Uptown Center next to Family Dollar.
