SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Academy Sports’ Debt Ratings Raised by S&P
S&P Global Ratings raised Academy Sports And Outdoor Inc.’s debt rating because the retailer has sustained S&P’s adjusted leverage well below the 2x area despite modest EBITDA margin contraction.
Health & Fitness Assoc. Rebrands Annual IHRSA Show to The HFA Show
The decision on the new show name came after an extensive review and feedback process with rebranding experts, members, supplier partners, exhibitors, and association leaders
Topgolf to Open Venue in Bryan, TX
TopGolf Bryan, TX, will open on October 18 in Travis Bryan Midtown Park in a former BigShots sports lounge
Ames Watson to Lead Champion’s U.S. Collegiate and Teamwear Business
Ames Watson will oversee Champion’s U.S. collegiate apparel and teamwear business through GearCo, which is managed and operated by Ames Watson, following its sale to Authentic Brands Group.
Dick’s SG to Hire Fewer Seasonal Workers This Year
The retailer plans to hire nearly 8,000 seasonal workers for this year’s holiday season, a step back from the 8,600 planned hires in 2023. A steady decline in employee turnover since 2021 led DKS to a decrease in the number of seasonal workers this year.
Elevate Outdoor Collective Promotes Josee Larocque to CEO
The parent company of the K2, Marker, Dalbello, Völkl, Ride, Line, Backcountry Access, Atlas Snow Shoe, Tubbs Snowshoes, and Madshus brands said COO Larocque replaces CEO John Colonna, who is leaving the company to pursue other interests.
Report: Holiday Shopping Intentions Driven by Consumer Optimism, Quest for Value
This year’s household food and grocery costs will impact holiday shopping for 62 percent of consumers, but more holiday shoppers, 57 percent, feel positive about personal finances than in 2023.
Amazon Plans to Hire 250,000 Holiday Workers, Same As Last Year
Amazon aims to add 250,000 U.S. seasonal employees during the 2024 holiday season, matching its target number from 2023.
PrimaLoft Beefs Up Product Team
PrimaLoft, Inc. appointed Chris Gallo as senior vice president of product strategy and Andrea Paulson as senior vice president of innovation and technology. Gallo was most recently at Nobull while Paulson was at Saucony.
New York Sports Club Hit by Data Breach
New York Sports Club notified 19,836 individuals, believed to be all employees, that their personal data was stolen due to a data breach.
Nike Crushes Q1 EPS Targets, Warns of Guidance Adjustment
Nike Inc. reported earnings for its first quarter handily topped Wall Street targets, but said it was postponing its upcoming Investor Day and indicated it “would address its approach to guidance” on its quarterly analyst call in light of the appointment of Nike veteran Elliott Hill as CEO. Sales in the quarter were down 10 percent with declines of 13 percent in direct and 8 percent in wholesale channels.
Pvolve Studio to Add Third Location in SFO Bay Area
Local entrepreneur Venetia Vonich, teamed up with friend and business partner Lupita Romero to expand the company’s reach in the San Francisco Bay area.
Nordstrom Rack to Open New Store in Massachusetts
The 25,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack will open in the fall of 2025 in the The Landing at Hyannis. Nordstrom operates seven Nordstrom Rack stores in Massachusetts, generating over 900 jobs statewide.
Authentic Names Brand Partners Supporting Champion Brand
Authentic Brand Group announced that GearCo, BBC and AMG Companies will serve as its primary vendor partners supporting its just-closed acquisition the Champion brand.
Sports Licensing Company, Homage Apparel, Taps Into Celebrity Investors
The round kicked off with an initial investment from Ryan Reynolds’ venture firm, Maximum Effort, that was recently complemented by investments from Winnie Capital, led by former NFL star Jason Kelce, and 35Ventures, led by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman.
