SGB Update Sports & Fitness

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Survey: SMB Retailers Optimistic on In-Store Holiday Shopping

The 5th Annual State of Small Business Survey by Verizon Business revealed that 52 percent of small and medium-sized businesses and retailers are gearing up for an in-store holiday season, an increase of 13 points from 2023.