SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Lazard Names Managing Director and Global Head of Sports Advisory
Stephen Finkel has joined the firm as a managing director and global head of Sports Advisory based in New York. The firm also welcomed Manoel Carvalho as a managing director and Bryan Tannenbaum as a vice president of the firm’s Media, Entertainment & Sports advisory group.
Orangetheory Fitness Grows Global Reach, Opens 31 New Studios in 2024
With nearly 1,500 studios across 24 countries, supported by franchise partners, each studio offers the brand’s “signature one-hour Orange 60 workout, as well as Tread 50 and Strength 50 classes,” catering to various fitness preferences.
PEX Fitness Names Industry Vet as Managing Partner
As the buildout for the facility began, effective January 1, 2025. Badlissi is an industry veteran in the boxing and general fitness categories who brings industry experience and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Macy’s, Inc. Confirms Planned Store Closures
As previously disclosed, the 66 Macy’s locations will close as part of the company’s “Bold New Chapter” strategy.
Costco December Comps Jump 9.9 Percent x-Gas; E-Commerce Jumped 35.7 Percent
E-commerce sales in December were said to be positively impacted by an estimated 15 percentage points, due to Thanksgiving / Black Friday / Cyber Monday occurring a week later in 2024 versus holiday 2023.
Revo Moves to Direct Distribution in Key EU Markets; Adds New Region Leadership
Revo has made a strategic shift in its global distribution model, transitioning to direct distribution in several key markets, supported by a new leadership team.
Riddell Makes Key Leadership Appointments and Exec Promotions
Ridell promoted Thad Ide to chief product officer and Michael Oller to executive vice president of Revenue and Customer Experience. Joining them on Riddell’s executive leadership team is Aravind Kashyap, chief information officer, who assumed the position last fall.
NRF’s Chief Economist Believes 2024 Ended on a High Note
Jack Kleinhenz’s comments came in the January edition of the NRF’s Monthly Economic Review, in which he reported that the 2024 gross domestic product was on track to grow 2.7 percent over 2023, based on results for the first 11 months of the year.
Sports Impact Appoints Industry Vet as Chief Marketing Officer
Nick Addecott, who is based in London and has previous golf industry expertise with the agency’s longest-serving client, Wilson Golf. He has over 20 years of senior management and board-level experience.
Roll Recovery Hires Biz Development Lead; Partners with Indy Rep Group
The manufacturer of deep tissue massage therapy tools and recovery footwear, has hired Craig Sinbine to lead business development. The company has also partnered with a new sales agency, The Endorphin Group.
Crunch Fitness Sets Opening Timeline for New Mega Crunch in Palm Harbor, FL
The opening timeline for Crunch Palm Harbor, a 55,000-square-foot fitness facility is projected for late Summer 2025.
Pvolve Set to Open Third Franchise Location in Connecticut
The company signed an agreement with Christine Friedman Partouche to bring two new studios to Fairfield County, CT, marking the company’s third franchise location in the state.
Topgolf Breaks Ground on Grand Prairie, TX Venue
The new venue is set to open in late 2025. This will be the 15th venue in Texas and the fifth in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for the company.
Report: 2024 Holiday Online Spending Sets New Record; Sporting Goods Up Big
Strong discounts this season also drove consumers to purchase higher-ticket items in categories such as electronics, appliances and sporting goods. The share of units sold for the most expensive goods was up 54 percent in sporting goods.
G/Fore Appoints Suzy Biszantz as CEO
With over twenty-five years of brand leadership experience, Suzy Biszantz has worked in luxury, athletic, contemporary, and menswear apparel. Most recently, she was the group president at Centric Brands for its men’s and women’s platforms.
