Newton Golf Company Sees Steep Growth Trend in 2024
The golf equipment company expects to see 2024 sales post almost ten-fold growth for year-over-year with gross margins of at least 65 percent.
APGA Tour Names Chief Operating Officer
Solomon Hughes joins the APGA from Intersport where he served as director of Marketing and Development. Previously, Hughes held various positions within the golf industry, including as a regional director for the American Junior Golf Association.
EXEC: Saucony Posts 60 Percent Retail Growth in China
MS (China) Sports Company Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Xtep International Holdings Limited, operates under licensing and royalty agreements for the Merrell and Saucony brands and subsidiaries in China.
Women’s Sports Foundation Welcomes New Board Members
The WSF welcomed seven new members to its Board of Trustees on January 1. This group of cross-sector professionals joins the Foundation following its 50th-anniversary celebration in 2024, helping to propel its mission further..
Fitbit to Pay $12.5M Fine for Failing to Report Ionic Smartwatch Defect
Despite possessing information that reasonably supported the conclusion that the Ionic Smartwatch contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious injury, Fitbit did not immediately report to the CPSC as required.
Golftec Promotes Chris Koske to Chief Marketing Officer
Chris Koske is a 20-year veteran of the golf and sports industries. As CMO (CMO), Koske will oversee brand strategy and marketing for Golftec enterprises, including its flagship Golftec brand and the Skytrak brand.
Fitness Ventures to Open a Crunch Fitness in Rockford, IL
The 40,000-square-foot fitness facility is Fitness Ventures, LLC’s 61st gym in the U.S. and second in Illinois. Brian Hibbard, CEO of Fitness Ventures, plans to open 15 more Crunch Fitness franchise locations in 2025.
Pickleball Kingdom to Open in Nashville, TN
The Nashville South location underscores the continued growth of pickleball across Tennessee. This announcement follows the opening of a Pickleball Kingdom in Hendersonville, TN last week, further solidifying the company’s presence in the region.
Bass Pro Shops To Open Outdoor Superstore in Mississippi
The new 75,000-square-foot outdoor superstore is scheduled to open in 2027 along the I-10 corridor in Biloxi, MS. This will be the first Outdoor Superstore for Bass Pro Shops in southern Mississippi.
EXEC: Puma SE Shares Fall Over 20 Percent on Analyst and Investor Concerns
Puma SE shares opened 16 percent lower in Europe on Thursday morning, January 23, after the company’s pre-announcement of 2024 fourth quarter and full-year results caused a stir overnight.
United Sports Brands Appoints SVP of Marketing
Kyle Schlegel has over 25 years of executive and management experience. Most recently, he served as the VP of Marketing and DTC at Weber, LLC. He has also held senior marketing positions at Wilson Sporting Goods, Hillerich & Bradsby (Louisville Slugger) and Procter & Gamble.
Beyond Yoga Parent Appoints Sephora CEO to Board of Directors
The parent to the Beyond Yoga active lifestyle brand also appointed Artemis Patrick to serve as a member of the board’s Audit and Nominating, Governance and Corporate Citizenship Committees, effective March 1.
EXEC: ISPO Group Shuffles Show Leadership After Tobias Gröber Sets Departure
The ISPO Group expects limited disruption as Exhibition Director Lena Haushofer and her team assume Gröber’s responsibilities, with Christoph Rapp, head of Sales and Marketing, and Saskia Rettenbacher, head of Event Management.
Jogology Adds Indie Sales Rep for Northeast
Cole Crosby joins the company as an independent rep with a decade of experience working with brands and retailers in the run specialty channel. His territory for Jogology includes Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.
YogaSix Expands to Asia with First Studio in Japan
YogaSix, backed by Xponential Fitness, joins its other fitness brands that have entered Japan, including Club Pilates, Rumble, CycleBar, Pure Barre, and StretchLab.
