SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Gold’s Gym to Return to Ontario
Toronto native, fitness industry veteran and franchisee, Tony Caparotta, will open 17 venues in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTAH) as part of the company’s planned expansion in North America.
Topgolf Breaks Ground on New Venue in New Braunfels, TX
The new venue will be in the 400-plus-acre mixed-use development of New Braunfels Town Center at Creekside, a master-planned community, with an opening date in late 2025. This will be the 14th venue in Texas for Topgolf.
Nike’s Mark Parker to Step Down from Walt Disney’s Board
Parker has been Chairman since April 3, 2023, and first elected to Disney’s Board in early 2016. The Executive Chairman of Morgan Stanley, James P. Gorman, will succeed Parker.
Weather Safety Platform for Leagues and Schools Closes Funding Round
Perry Weather has secured $15 million in Series B funding from Arthur Ventures, which also led the company’s latest round of funding.
Sport Alliance Appoints VP of Sales International
Erwin Kost and his team will be responsible for developing the enterprise business with a focus on English-speaking countries and customers. The appointment comes as the gym management software provider secured $100 million of new funding from PSG Equity to drive growth.
Dick’s SG Opens Next-Gen Store in Selinsgrove, PA
Dick’s Sporting Goods opened a next-generation store, which is a larger store format than a regular Dick’s store, in the Monroe Marketplace in Selinsgrove, PA.
REI Co-op Plans Lower Volume of Store Openings for 2025
REI Co-op plans to open six locations in 2025, with three new stores in California, as well as Amherst, NY; Durango, CO; and Lynnwood, WA. The openings mark a moderation in new store growth from the 10 stores scheduled to open in 2024.
Under Armour Retains Oberalp for Swiss Distribution
Since becoming its Italian distributor, Under Armour’s sales in Italy have expanded from €8 million to €50 million ($54 mm). Over the last years, the South Tyrolean group has been growing Under Armour’s business in the wholesale channel.
Dick’s SG Sets Store Opening in Houston Suburbs
Dick’s Sporting Goods announced plans to open a Dick’s store at Atascocita Commons in Humble, TX in early November. Humble is located in the Houston metro area.
SFIA Elects Rawlings’ Mike Zlaket as Board Chairman
Zlaket is the CEO and member of the Board of Directors for Rawlings Sporting Goods. As chairman of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Board of Directors, his one-year term begins effective immediately.
Audubon International Adds Two Board Members from Golf Industry
Rick Lohman, senior director of corporate accounts at The Toro Company, and Ruth Engle, EVP and CFO at Troon Golf, have been added as at-large board members.
Nike Expected to Face Competition for Next NFL Uniform Contract
The NFL uniform and apparel rights, which Nike has controlled since 2012, are up for renewal for the 2028 season. Bidding is “open and active,” with “several” companies vying for the contract. Nike took over the NFL contract from Reebok in 2012 and renewed it in 2018.
Carbitex Closes Funding Round for Next Growth Phase
The company closed on a new funding round to restructure the company for international expansion. Longtime investors, including Executive Chairman Michael Marks, infused most of the capital into the company.
Academy Sports to Open Location in Meridian, MS
The new store will open on November 11, in time to make the Holiday shopping season. The 55,000-square-foot space at the Meridian Crossroads shopping center will be the retailer’s ninth store in Mississippi.
Fanatics Commerce’s Debt Ratings Lowered on Weak Q2 Results
Moody’s Ratings downgraded Fanatics Commerce’s debt ratings as second-quarter results for the online retailer of licensed sports merchandise showed EBITDA and free cash flow remained negative.
