SGB Update Apparel
Obituaries (Year in Review)
The sporting goods industry bid farewell to several longtime industry stalwarts this year, including William “Bill” Modell, chairman of the board of Modell’s Sporting Goods, who died February 14, 2008, in New York. He was 86 years old. Under his leaders
L.L. Bean Holiday Sales Weak; Plans Layoffs
L.L. Bean is considering several cost cutting moves, including layoffs, after posting a double-digit drop in sales over the holiday period. In an e-mail to employees first obtained by the Times Record newspaper in Maine, Chris McCormick, president and chi
BowTech’s CEO Stepping Down
BowTech, the world's largest bow manufacturer, announces that John Strasheim is stepping down as President and CEO, effective Jan. 15, 2009. Mr. Strasheim, also a board member for the Savage Sports Corp., is pursuing other business interests…
OBIT: Former Founder of NWTF Dies
Tom Rodgers, founder of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), passed away Dec. 25 at the Edgefield County Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Rodgers, 64, was survived by his mother, his son Mark and two sisters…
Greg Norman Collection Enters Agreement with Vantage Apparel
President and CEO Michael Setola announces that Greg Norman Collection has entered into a licensing agreement with Vantage Apparel to sell and distribute GNC apparel into the corporate sales channel. The new agreement is effective immediately…
2008: A Year of Living Dangerously (Year in Review)
When looking back at the words written here one year ago, Sports Executive Weekly talked of a slowing merger & acquisition market and the challenges ahead as the sub-prime mortgage mess impacted the broader market…
Golf Rounds Played Continues to Drop in November
The Golf Datatech National Golf Rounds played showed that in most regions, golf rounds played continue to rapidly fall. According to the report, national golf rounds played in the U.S. were down 6.7% in November 2008 vs. November 2007, bringing the year-t
Management Shakeup at JJB Sports
JJB Sports, the struggling U.K. sporting goods chain, has named David Jones, the former chief executive of U.K. fashion chain Next, as executive chairman. Peter Williams, the former chief executive of the Selfridges U.K. department store, has also been ap
California Pro Sports Forms Joint Venture
California Pro Sports, Torrance, Cal. team dealer,, announced a unique joint venture with Tyler Sports, Inc., operated baseball/softball training facilities, and The Perfect Fit, a sports marketing firm. The venture will enable the three regional compani
Johnson Outdoors Amends Debt Agreement
Johnson Outdoors Inc. completed an amendment to its existing debt agreements. Among other items, the amendment provides for greater flexibility with respect to financial metric covenants through the end of the company's 2009 fiscal year…
Holiday Was Just as Tough as Everyone Expected
Holiday 2008 proved to be just as disappointing for many in the retail sphere as everyone worried beforehand. Though anecdotal evidence from much of specialty retail held slightly better results than the general market…
Sheri Poe Out at MBT
MBT reports that Sheri Poe will no longer serve as CEO of U.S. operations. Ken Pucker, who was named interim global CEO in early November, will assume her responsibilities for managing the U.S. entity of MBT…
Hot Products in a Cold Season
ACROSS THE SNOWBELT many runners continue to pursue their passion regardless of how low the temperatures drop. Keeping these diehard enthusiasts warm, upright and safe offers running specialty retailers a steady source of sales until spring arrives…
L.L. Bean Plans Layoffs
L.L. Bean is considering a company restructuring, cost cutting and layoffs to deal with a double-digit drop in sales over the holiday period. In an e-mail to employees first obtained by the Times Record newspaper in Maine, Chris McCormick, president and c
E-Commerce Sales Drop During Holiday Season
Online sales for the holiday period from Nov. 1 to Dec. 23 fell 3% versus the prior year, marking the first decline in online spending since comScore started tracking online sales in 2001. Online spending of $25.5 billion during the period were below comS
