USA Pickleball Appoints VP of Competition
USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport in the U.S., named Steve Wong as vice president of competition. Wong will oversee USA Pickleball’s competition department, emphasizing growing and streamlining all sanctioned tournament play.
Lazydays Closes on $35 Million Mortgage Loan Facility
The $35 million mortgage loan facility is funded by clients of Coliseum Capital Management and is reportedly secured by mortgages against certain dealership facilities and land held for future development.
Lands’ End Secures New Term Loan
Lands’ End, Inc. entered into a new term loan of $260 million. The company used the proceeds to refinance its existing term loan ahead of maturity in September 2025.
Bulls Bikes USA Hires Sales Chief
Los Angeles-based Bulls Bikes USA hired Rob Kaplan as head of sales. Most recently, Kaplan was VP of sales at Alta Cycling Group.
Thule Group Transitions CFO Role
In May 2023, Thule announced that Jonas Lindqvist, its CFO since 2020, would leave his position but remain in the role until it found his successor. The company announced in July 2023 that it had hired Toby Lawton to fill the CFO position.
Xponential Fitness Secures Franchise Agreements in Japan
Xponential Fitness, Inc. signed a master franchise agreement in Japan for its Pure Barre and YogaSix studios with Sunpark Co., Ltd., its master franchisee for StretchLab.
Camping World to Add 15 Dealerships in the First Quarter
The company closed on the acquisition of Ashley Outdoors in Salem, AL, the first of 15 dealership locations Camping World expects to open in the first quarter of 2024.
Golf Rounds Played Jump In November
Golf Datatech reported that U.S. golf rounds played rose 8.2 percent year-over-year in November, rebounding from a slight decline in October.
Sacks Parente Golf CEO Resigns
CEO Tim Triplett has resigned from the company, effective immediately, due to family reasons. Board Chair Greg Campbell will assume responsibilities as executive chairman to facilitate a smooth transition while the company searches for a new CEO.
Black Diamond Parent Selling Ammo Business in $175 Million Deal
Clarus Corp. entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement to sell its Precision Sport segment, comprised of Sierra Bullets and Barnes Bullets, to a U.S.-based non-strategic buyer not affiliated with the company or any of its officers or members of its board of directors.
Survey: Wearable Technology Again Tops Fitness Trend for 2024
The American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) annual survey found wearable technology ranked as the number one fitness trend for the third straight year. The Top 3 trends also included workplace health promotion and fitness programs for older adults.
Goldfish Swim School Expanding in California
The company, based in Michigan, signed multi-unit swim school agreements with two franchise groups to develop six Goldfish Swim Schools in California over the next several years.
Life Time Reaffirms Guidance; Names Interim CFO as Houghton Departs
The company expects to be free cash flow positive after all capital expenditures, including new club growth, by the middle of 2024. SVP and Controller Erik Weaver, a 19-year company veteran, will assume the role of interim CFO with the departure of CFO Bob Houghton.
Crunch Fitness Opening First Club in Nebraska
The new gym, located in a former Gordmans space in Lincoln, NE, has 55,000 square feet and $1 million worth of fitness equipment. The gym is set to open on January 5.
Report: Merchandise Returns Reach 14.5 Percent in 2023
According to the report released by the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail, for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer reportedly incurs $145 million in merchandise returns. Online sales do see a higher return rate, at 17.6 percent.
