SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Adidas Gets Debt Upgrade by S&P on Improving Performance

S&P Global Ratings raised its debt ratings on Adidas due to the brand’s stronger-than-expected deleveraging trend, mainly driven by the group’s sustained momentum in its underlying operating performance and cash flow generation improvements versus  previous forecasts.

KKR-Backed Bay Club Acquires 425 Fitness

The operator of three fitness clubs in the greater Seattle area (Bothell, Redmond and Issaquah), deepens its presence in the Pacific Northwest. The addition also gives Bay Club 27 fitness clubs across California.

Ahead Appoints Manager of Strategic Accounts

The headwear maker appointed Matt Ussery as manager of strategic account with responsibilities for managing top-tier clients. He most recently served as an outside sales repat Cutter & Buck, a fellow New Wave Group AB brand.

NSGA Names COO of Denver Athletic to Three-Year Board Term

Jessica Rose-Huggins of Denver Athletic in Englewood, CO, was appointed to the District II Board seat. Her three-year term began on June 1. She replaces Mick Montgomery, the president and CEO of Denver Athletic, who served two three-year terms on the Board.  

UK Survey Explores Barriers to Broader Golf Participation

Nearly nine out of ten Brits who reside in the U.K. (87 percent) believe golf is exclusively played by those over 40, according to new research by England Golf that challenges long-held stereotypes about the sport.

Hudl Completes Acquisition of Titan Sports

Combining the company’s video analysis with Titan’s GPS player tracking will “empower coaches and athletes with objective training and performance insight, including knowing how fast players run, how hard they worked and when and athlete might be pushing too hard and risking injury.”

USTA CEO Lew Sherr to Step Down

Lew Sherr is stepping down as CEO, effective June 30, to pursue a new professional opportunity outside of the tennis industry. USTA Board Chairman Brian Vahaly and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer Andrea Hirsch will serve as interim Co-CEOs while the organization searches for its next leader.