Stretch Zone Franchise Opens in Bakersfield, CA
This marks Stretch Zone’s 389th nationwide and is operated by first-time studio franchisees Nehal Samtani and Mina Rama.
Play it Again Sports Parent Gets Q1 Bottom-Line Bump from Settlement
The run-off of the franchisor’s leasing portfolio for the Plato’s Closet, Once Upon A Child, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore and Music Go Round retail brands that was first announced in May of 2021 is “substantially complete.”
PGA Tour Superstore CEO Dick Sullivan to Retire
Sullivan will retire from his day-to-day CEO role with the company later this summer. He will remain CEO until a new leader is in place and then continue as executive chairman of the company into the future.
OIA Reports Outdoor Retail Sales Trends Returned to Growth in 2024
Outdoor market retail sales totaled $28 billion in 2024, up 1 percent year-over-year. OIA noted that overall Apparel sales remained stagnant, Equipment sales declined slightly, and Accessories and Footwear saw positive growth in 2024.
Lids Begins Nationwide Roll Out of New In-Store Format
This rollout represents a customer-centric experience where every visit feels personal, engaging and tailored to the individual. Lids will use key learnings from the initial store openings to continue evolving and expanding the in-store concept.
Vince Holding Corp. Solidifies Yuji Okumura’s Role as CFO
The company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer since March 2025, and Controller since September 2020, has been named Chief Financial Officer, effective April 14, 2025.
Newton Golf Company Expands Tour Presence with Key Appointments
Andy Harris and Jeff Opheim will represent the company as Tour reps for the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour. Company Founder and Chief Technology Officer Aki Yorihiro will take on a key role as Tour representative for the LPGA and PGA Tour Champions.
Planet Fitness Franchisee Joins NewRoad Capital Partners
The new partner at the firm, Vincent Love, is based out of Denver, CO. He is a Planet Fitness franchisee, owning five gyms in Colorado and Wyoming.
NSGA Report: Pickleball Grows 56 Percent; Flag Football Leads Youth Team Sports Growth
Most sports/activities tracked (35 of 56) experienced increased participation for 2024. Pickleball’s boom continued as it increased 56 percent to 15.4 million participants. It is the third consecutive year the sport has seen a year-over-year increase of more than 50 percent.
Crunch Fitness Acquires Nine 24 Hour Fitness Gyms in Florida
With the opening of these nine new locations, CR Fitness Holdings, LLC, led by industry veterans Vince Julien, Geoff Dyer, Scrimale, and Jeff Dotson, will now operate 84 gyms across Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Under Armour Appoints Three New Members to Board of Directors
Effective April 15, Dawn N. Fitzpatrick, Eugene D. Smith, and Robert J. Sweeney joined the company’s Board of Directors, which also includes Douglas E. Coltharp, Jerri L. DeVard, Mohamed A. El-Erian, Carolyn N. Everson, David W. Gibbs, Karen W. Katz, Eric T. Olson, Kevin A. Plank, and Patrick W. Whitesell.
BDA Appoints Senior Director of Sales
Nina Kersey, who reportedly brings a wealth of industry knowledge and extensive leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies, is expected play a key role in elevating the branded experience for BDA’s fitness client portfolio.
Leonard Green & Partners Takes Majority Stake in Crunch Holdings
The firm or its affiliates have, at one time or another, been a partner or owner of Authentic Brands Group, Varsity Brands, The Sports Authority, Big 5 Sporting Goods, PureGym, Life Time Fitness, and many more.
BSN Sports Taps Donald Driver as Chief Motivation Officer for SURGE Program
SURGE (Strength, Unity, Resilience, Growth, and Equity) was founded one year ago to address the needs for tailored resources expressed by coaches and female athletes nationwide.
Aspen Snowmass Outlines $80M in Summer Projects and Mountain Upgrades
The improvements include two new high-speed chairlifts, a complete reconstruction of one of the resort’s on-mountain restaurants and more.
