SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Johnson Health Tech Names President of JHT Canada
Greg Lawlor, who has been with the organization since its founding in 2015, was previously the vice president of Business Development at JHT, overseeing revenue growth in the company’s commercial and retail segments.
Fanatics Collectibles to Open Store on London’s Regent Street
The store’s 8,647-square-foot space will house a central display of the rarest sports cards, a breaking area, a trading-card singles experience, card opening and trading areas, and customer education touchpoints. Fanatics Collectibles plans for a Spring 2025 opening date.
Crunch Fitness Promotes D’Anna to Chief Development Officer
John A. D’Anna, the company’s SVP of real estate, has been appointed as the company’s new chief development officer, effective immediately.
Stretch Zone Opens in Cedar Rapids
Franchisee Doug Allen has opened his first Stretch Zone studio in his hometown of Cedar Rapids and the company’s fifth location in Iowa.
Amped Fitness to Open Second Location in Fort Worth, TX
Amped Fitness Hulen will mark the company’s eighth gym opening in Texas in one year and the second location in Fort Worth, TX.
Eastside Golf Adds CAA Vet as First Head of Marketing
Annette Parker is the company’s first head of marketing, joining Eastside Golf from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) where she spent over eight years managing sports marketing partnerships and helping drive the agency’s golf business.
Five Iron Golf Adding 12 Locations Across Florida
Existing franchisees Peter McCormick and Alex Zega, who operate Five Iron Golf’s Louisville, KY location, have signed a deal to bring 12 new Five Iron Golf locations to Florida, the largest golf market in the U.S.
Gymshark’s New Permanent Dubai Mall Store is First Outside UK
The Dubai Mall is the second largest mall in the world by total land area, and over 54 million shoppers visit the center every year. Gymshark also plans to open a permanent flagship in New York City in 2025.
Turtleson Names VP of Licensed Product Sales
Jim Call, VP of Licensed Product Sales, will lead the growth of the brand’s wholesale partnerships and its collegiate-licensed apparel line. He brings 25 years of experience in collegiate and pro sports licensed products.
SFIA’s Bill Sells Set to Retire
During his 20-year tenure with the SFIA, Sells has been a leading voice on Capitol Hill. He has championed critical initiatives that have helped shape the sports and fitness industry and has directed successful legislative campaigns and policy initiatives.
Amer Sports Sees Return of Former Communications and IR Chief Päivi Antola
Antola is returning to Amer Sports after leading corporate communications and investor relations from 2010 to 2018. She will join the company in April 2025 at the latest.
Pickleball Kingdom to Open in Hendersonville, TN
The Hendersonville facility spans nearly 39,000 square feet of climate-controlled play conditions, a mezzanine, a community room, a pro shop, and amenities to enhance the player experience.
Xponential Fitness Promotes Kawaja, Adds Franchising Vets to Leadership Team
John Kawaja has been promoted to president of North America, Tim Weiderhoft was hired as COO of North America, and Kevin Beygi was hired as chief technology officer. Eric Simon is also slated to join as chief development officer on January 20, 2025.
Target Maintains 2024 EPS Guide, Posts 2 Percent Holiday Comp, Shifts Leadership Team
Holiday sales were reportedly driven by a nearly 3 percent increase in traffic, representing gains across both stores and digital channels. During November and December combined, digital sales grew nearly 9 percent over the 2023 period.
Tagmarshal Acquires WindIQ
WindIQ technology measures hyperlocal, real-time wind speed, direction and precise hole location that will enhance Tagmarshal’s on-course optimization platform. It also increases the data available to on-course operations for optimizing strategy and pace of play management.
