Topgolf Callaway Brands Officially Rebrands to Callaway Golf Company
The move comes after the company completed the sale of its 60 percent stake in its Topgolf and Toptracer businesses to Leonard Green & Partners. The company’s portfolio now consists of Callaway Golf, Odyssey, TravisMathew, and Ogio.
Report: Gyms and Studios Deliver 19 Consecutive Quarters of Foot Traffic Growth
U.S. commercial fitness facilities closed out 2025 with record fourth-quarter foot traffic, extending the industry’s growth streak to 19 consecutive quarters, according to new data from the Health & Fitness Association (HFA).
Otto Sport AI Raises $16.5 Million in Seed Funding
Otto Sport AI, a youth sports management platform, secured $16.5 million seed investment co-led by Mamba Growth Equity and Rally Ventures. The new funding will accelerate development across the Otto Sport AI product suite with additional AI-driven tools, integrations and features rolling out throughout 2026.
Life Time Creates “Real Life” Capsule Collection with Evereve
Launching on January 22 in Evereve stores, select Life Time clubs and online, the 15-piece capsule collection, designed by Evereve’s team, is created for “women who move through their days with purpose.”
Pvolve Inks Seven New Franchise Studio Deals Across High-Demand U.S. Markets
The new studio awards include two studios in Las Vegas, NV (Summerlin and Henderson), and one each in Monterey, CA; Miami, FL; Bel Air, MD; Baltimore, MD; and Columbus, OH (Upper Arlington).
Under Armour Names Kara Trent Global CMO, Adam Peake President for Americas
Kara Trent, currently president, Americas, has been appointed chief merchandising officer. SVP for Strategy Adam Peake has been named the next president, Americas. Chief Product Officer Yassine Saidi will move to a senior advisor role focused on design and creative.
National Golf Foundation Makes Executive Hires in Research and Marketing Services
The National Golf Foundation (NGF) announced the addition of Bill Golden as SVP of Strategic Services and Reid Gorman as SVP of Business Intelligence and Operations.
EXEC: Fanatics Still Finding Sizable Growth Opportunities in Fan Gear
During a keynote session at the National Retail Federation: Retail’s Big Show, Fanatics’ founder and CEO, Michael Rubin, said the company now controls about one-third of the global market for sports fan merchandise, with significant opportunities to gain a greater share, particularly internationally.
Uneekor Enhances Leadership Team
Uneekor, the manufacturer of golf simulator technologies, has appointed Scott Gaines as global head of sales, Tarick Walton as head of product management and Jason Davis as head of customer experience.
EXEC: Is Varsity Brands Setting Up for a Big Deal?
Varsity Brands, Inc., the parent of BSN Sports and Varsity Spirit, announced a proposed $400 million fungible add-on to its first-lien term loan facility to partly finance a potential undisclosed acquisition of a complementary business to BSN Sports with a heavy presence in soccer. The potential deal was noted in Moody’s and S&P’s debt issuance reports.
EXEC: Adidas and Nike Fight for Top Spot in UBS Global Survey
In the athletic footwear category, Nike was the top brand global consumers planned to purchase within the next 12 months, at 49 percent; followed by Adidas, 41 percent; New Balance, 17 percent; Puma, 14 percent; Air Jordan, 13 percent; Asics, 12 percent; Anta and Skechers, both 10 percent; Li-Ning, 9 percent, and Converse, 8 percent.
FDRA Sees Shoe Prices Post Uptick in December, But Flat for 2025
Retail prices of footwear climbed 1.1 percent in December, but overall footwear inflation in 2025 was modest for the third straight year, according to the latest data from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA). With average landing costs for footwear imports continuing to rise, however, inflationary threats are seen building this year.
Fitness Holdings NA to Open Second Crunch Location in Connecticut
Complimenting the already announced Crunch Fitness coming to Torrington, CN, Fitness Holdings North America has confirmed a second Connecticut location in Southington, with both clubs targeted to open in Summer 2026.
Jetset Pilates Franchise to Open Three Studios in Scottsdale
The three-unit development deal is led by franchisees Bill and Jen Hoge and marks the first phase of the brand’s broader expansion strategy for the Phoenix–Scottsdale metro area.
EXEC: JD Sports Looks to Elevate Curation at U.S. Athletic Specialty
JD Sports’ North America business generates about $6 billion in annual sales following the add-on acquisitions of Shoe Palace, DTLR and Hibbett. Régis Schultz said that with the follow-up acquisitions, JD has “nice coverage” nationwide, and he said the North American operation has become a “very profitable business.”
