SGB Update Apparel
Li Ning Signs Potential 2020 NBA Lottery Pick To Endorsement Deal
Li Ning, the Chinese sporting goods giant, signed RJ Hampton, a projected lottery selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, to an endorsement deal, according to ESPN. The retired Dwyane Wade in 2018 inked a lifetime deal with the brand. C.J. McCollum is Li Ning’s most prominent active player.
U.S. Trade Groups Urge Congress To Approve USMCA
The American Apparel & Footwear Association, Outdoor Industry Association and National Retail Federation joined with more than 600 other trade organizations in a letter to Congress supporting approval of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Report: Nike Exploring Sale Of Hurley
Nike Inc. is exploring the sale of Hurley International, the surf brand acquired in 2002, according to a report from Reuters. The move follows prolonged weakness in the overall action sports market.

UNLV Extends Deal With Nike
UNLV agreed to a three-year contract extension with Nike. Nike will remain the exclusive athletic footwear, apparel and accessories sponsor of UNLV Athletics.
Shaun White Looking To Compete In Skateboarding In Summer Olympics
Shaun White, the legendary snowboarder, is looking to compete in the first-ever Olympic skateboarding events at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Walmart E-Commerce Exec Joins Rockets Of Awesome
Scott Turner, Walmart’s director of e-commerce of two and a half years, has Rockets of Awesome, the growing children’s apparel company. In February, Foot Locker acquired a minority stake in the New York-based company.
Ross Stores Opens 28 New Locations
Ross Stores Inc. announced the recent opening of 22 Ross Dress for Less and six dd’s Discount stores across 10 different states in June and July. These new locations are part of the COmpany’s plans to add approximately 100 stores in 2019, with 75 Ross and 25 dd’s Discount locations.

Synchrony And Fanatics Launch The Ultimate Fan Card
Synchrony and Fanatics have launched the FanCash Rewards Card by Fanatics, a new offering that will provide fans with a customized payment method for licensed sports merchandise, timeless memorabilia and collectibles and sports experiences.
EFI To Be Acquired By Siris Capital
Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI), a leader in digital printing innovation, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Siris Capital Group, LLC in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.7 billion.

VF Corp.’s Earnings Beat Estimates, Guidance Raised
VF Corp. raised its sales and earnings outlook for the year after reporting first-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street estimates. On a currency-neutral basis, sales grew 9 percent, led by a 23 percent jump by Vans and 12 percent gain at The North Face.
Athleta Chief To Take Post At Old Navy
Gap Inc. announced that Nancy Green, who currently leads the Athleta brand, will shift in early August to a newly created role as president and chief creative officer of Old Navy. While a search is underway for Athleta’s next president, the brand’s leadership team will report to Gap Inc. Chief Executive Officer Art Peck.
Virginia Becomes 15th State To Create Office Of Outdoor Recreation
Virginia became the 15th state in the nation to establish an office or task force dedicated to strengthening the outdoor industry, and the third on the East Coast.
Surfrider Foundation Adds Plastic Pollution Policy Expert
The Surfrider Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of clean water and healthy beaches, announced the addition of Jennie Romer as a legal associate for the organization’s Plastic Pollution Initiative.
Stage Stores Announces Expansion Of Off-Price Conversion Strategy
Stage Stores Inc. announced plans to convert an additional 100 stores to Gordmans off-price in 2020, bringing the total number of 2020 off-price conversions to 250.
Sustainable Apparel Coalition Appoints Amina Razvi As Executive Director
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a leading association representing the apparel, footwear and textile industry in sustainability, announced that its board of directors has confirmed the appointment of Amina Razvi as executive director. Razvi has assumed day-to-day leadership of the Coalition and has responsibility for its global operations.