SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Templin Leaves VF Outdoor to Take COO/CFO Post at Eddie Bauer

Dan Templin, who played an instrumental role in building VF Outdoor into an 11-brand, multi-billion dollar global juggernaut through a series of acquisitions, has accepted the position of chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Eddie Bauer

Cornell U. Cuts Adidas Ties Over Labor Issues

Cornell became the first university to sever its licensing contract with Adidas over recent allegations of labor abuses. Last Thursday, President David Skorton sent a letter to Adidas Team, Inc., stating that due to the company’s refusal to give sev

Shoe Carnival Lauds Partnership with Nike

Speaking last week at the Invent Indiant Equity Conference in Indianapolis, Mark Lemond, Shoe Carnival’s CEO, said Nike has become the family shoe chain’s “largest and fastest growing vendor.”…

SGMA Launches New Strategic Plan and Rebranding

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) announced a rebranding effort that will change its name to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). The move also includes a new website, national advocacy campaign, research initiative, supplie

R.G. Barry Swings to Profit in Q4

R.G. Barry Corp, the parent of the Dearfoams slippers brand, earned $474,000, or 4 cents per diluted share, in the fourth quarter ended June 30, rebounding from a loss of $863,000, or 8 cents, a year ago. Revenues improved 6.2 percent to $25.0 million…

McDavid Hosts Basketball Tournament

McDavid, Inc. will host and sponsor the inaugural “First On, Last Off” Basketball Tournament Sept. 22-23. The tournament will take place at Collins Academy High School in Chicago, IL and coincides with the launch of the company’s new branding…

Revolution Dancewear Merges with Dance Direct

Revolution Dancewear, a designer and marketer of dancewear and footwear that sells direct to dance studios in the United States and Canada, has acquired Melsham, UK-based Dance Direct, the largest online retailer of dance apparel in the United Kingdom and

Trade Representative to Visit New Balance Factory

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, President Obama's top trade adviser, will tour New Balance's factory in Maine to discuss a proposed free trade agreement with eight Pacific Rim companies and its impact on American-made shoes, according to the

Report Recommends Expanding Better Factories Cambodia Program

A report by two NGOs on working conditions in Cambodian garment factories recommends expanding the Better Factories Cambodia program to subcontracted factories; improving the monitoring process; improving transparency; and, finally, taking buyer responsib