SGB Update Apparel

The Carlyle Group Partners With END.

The Carlyle Group has acquired a majority stake in luxury, streetwear and sportswear retailer END. The stake is being acquired from founders Christiaan Ashworth and John Parker, who will retain a significant minority stake and remain co-CEOs.

USTA, ITA Enter Strategic Alliance To Elevate College Tennis

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) have entered into a new strategic alliance that formalizes the two organizations’ ongoing collaboration to strengthen and elevate collegiate tennis.

Nordstrom’s Debt Ratings Upgraded To Stable

S&P Global Ratings revised the debt ratings outlook on Nordstrom to stable from negative reflecting its belief that the retailer will demonstrate sequential recovery in operating performance this year, generating more than $1 billion in operating cash flow.

Fanatics, NFL To Launch Amazon Storefront

Fanatics, which operates the NFL Shop online store, in a partnership with the NFL is developing an NFL Shop “storefront” on the Amazon platform, marking the first time Fanatics will sell its products on Amazon. Currently, customers can shop all of the expanded selection at Amazon.com/nfl.

Omega Sports Files For Bankruptcy

Omega Sports Inc., based in Greensboro, NC, filed a bankruptcy petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Western District Of North Carolina.

PGA Show Connects Set For Mid-April

PGA Golf Exhibitions announced its first seasonal event of the PGA Show Connects 365-digital platform; the “PGA Show Connects Spring Kick-Off,” which will be held online April 14 at Virtual.PGAShow.com.

JCPenney Adds Swimwear And Activewear Brands

JCPenney said it is introducing three new women’s swimwear brands, Mynah, Decree and Sonnet Shores, and adding “new selections” from Champion and Puma to support its activewear offerings.

Asics Selects Four Startups For Accelerator

Asics selected four startups’ collaboration proposals at its demo day, based on vision and feasibility. The theme for applications for the program was “Sound Mind, Sound Body.” 

Upward Trend In Baseball Participation Takes A Hit During COVID-19 Year

The COVID-19 pandemic hit as baseball participation was on the upswing, according to research conducted by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). Initial data to NSGA from 2020 shows overall participation at 11.7 million, which was a 4.5 percent decline from nearly 12.3 million in 2019.