SGB Update Outdoor

New Era Europe Launches Soccer SBU

New Era Cap Europe, a division of New Era Cap Co., announced the launch of a dedicated European Football business line. Headed up by Strategic Business Manager Ben Elkington, the department’s role is to increase New Era’s presence in the European Football

Greg Norman Collection Names Marketing Director

The Greg Norman Collection announced that Kate Kuykendall has joined the company as Director of Marketing and will report directly to Suzy Biszantz, CEO and President. In her new role, Kate will be responsible for the development and execution of all glo

New Balance Kicks Off Kids Sportmanship Initiative

In an on-going effort to advocate the importance of sportsmanship, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. is launching a multi-faceted kids program that will kick-off in January 2005. The program will include an in-school curriculum, a back-to-school retail pro

West Marine Appoints New CEO

West Marine, Inc. reported that Peter Harris is joining West Marine as CEO and member of the Board of Directors on January 3, 2005. Harris most recently President and CEO of the San Francisco 49ers. He has served as CEO of mall-based retailer The Pictur

Patagonia Hires Sheahan to run Fishing and Paddle Division

Patagonia has hired Casey Sheahan, former Kelty President, as the company’s newest Product Line Director, responsible for Patagonia’s Fishing division as well as their paddling division, Lotus Designs. Bringing his vast experience in the outdoor industry

Sport Supply Group Expands Team Dealer Network

Sport Supply Group announced that approximately 50 of the largest independent team sporting goods dealers in the United States have joined the Company's Platinum Team Dealer Program. SSG believes the Team Dealers participating in the program have a c

Will The Athlete’s Foot File Chapter 11 This Week?

After six months of rumors and speculation it appears that Athlete's Foot Group Inc. could be filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as early as today. Sports Executive Weekly has spoken with a number of people close to the situation and found

New Bike-Friendly SUV Design Based on Kestrel Bicycles

Kestrel Bicycles has partnered with Ford and Octane to create a cycling-specific custom Ford Escape. Kestrel's carbon fiber road racing bicycles were featured on a Ford Escape concept vehicle at the recent SEMA automotive aftermarket trade show. The

Wolverine Appoints Baird as Managing Director – Europe

Wolverine World Wide announced the appointment of Gordon Baird to the position of Managing Director for the Company's Caterpillar Footwear European
operations. Baird will report to Blake W. Krueger, President of the Heritage Brands Group, and will b

November Retail Sales Fall Short of Expectations…

The sluggish start to the Holiday shopping season had analysts scrambling last week, as most cut projections for Holiday retail sales gains after November comparable store sales results fell short of expectations. Sports Executive Weekly is also hearing

Gildan Racks Up Market Share Gains as Unit Sales Outpace Market…

Gildan Activewear saw sales in the fourth quarter increase 33.3% to $145.6 million from $109.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. The increase was attributed to a 20.4% increase in unit shipments coupled with higher selling prices and more fav

Oakley Stock Falls on Thump’s Slump…

Shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend several analysts downgraded Oakley stock, citing poor sell-through of the much hyped THUMP sunglass/MP-3 player. OO shares fell 12.3% for the week to close at $12.03 on Friday evening…

Pakistani Sporting Goods Manufacturers Vow to Go Green…

The Global Forum for Sports and Environment conference, backed by the UN Environment Program was held for the first time in Lahore, Pakistan, the city of origin for 60% of all of the world’s soccer balls. During the Forum, the country’s sporting goods man

VF Outdoor Coalition Outlines New Management Roles…

Mike Corvino has been been promoted to president of JanSport. He was most recently VP of sales and merchandising for VF Imagewear. He will report to Mike Egeck, president of VF Outdoor – Americas, whi made the announcement last week amid a flurry of oth