SGB Update Sports & Fitness
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.
Former Ross Bicycles CEO Randy Ross Passes Away
When he led the brand, Ross Bicycles sponsored the first professional mountain bike race team, the Ross Indians. Ross also sponsored events that helped the sport develop in the 1980s, and the company’s bike line was one of the first mass-produced mountain bikes on the market.
Newton Golf Company Appoints CFO
Ryan Stearns brings over two decades of financial expertise working in public and private sectors. His extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital funding and financial process optimization will “position him to make an immediate impact.”
Report: Holiday Retail Return Rate Jumps 28 Percent as U.S. Sales Reach $282B
Salesforce is reporting that the data in its system shows that holiday retail sales surged to a record $1.2 trillion globally and $282 billion in the United States, but high returns could dampen retailer overall profit margins.
Five Iron Golf Co-Founders Invest in Tiger’s New York Golf Club
TGL, co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports, received an investment from Five Iron Golf Co-Founders Jared Solomon, CEO and Katherine Solomon, chief legal officer, to drive excitement around New York Golf Club and TGL.
Camelbak, Bell/Giro Parent Revelyst Completes Sale to Financial Firm
The parent of Foresight Sports, Bushnell Golf, Fox, Bell, Giro, CamelBak, Bushnell, Simms Fishing was acquired by SVP in an all-cash transaction based on an enterprise value of $1.125 billion.
Famed Golf Club Designer Richard Parente Passes Away
As the first President of Callaway Golf, Parente was instrumental in creating the first production-milled putters and the S2H2 designs. He pioneered the first milled driver heads and developed AVDP, a lightweight grip-and-shaft system designed for faster swinging irons and drivers. Parente has over 30 golf patents.
Perfect Moment Enlists Sales Agencies in Southern Europe and Japan
These new Southern Europe and Japan agencies partnerships with TBrand and Maison DixSept follow Perfect Moment’s recently announced North America sales agency partnership with CD Network.
Crunch Franchisee to Open Newest Location in Gainesville, GA
Crunch Gainesville, GA, a 40,158-square-foot fitness facility, will open in late Spring/early Summer 2025, and be among the first clubs with the company’s updated 3.0 design.
Shade Headwear Expands Golf Veteran Sales Team with Three Adds
On a combined basis, Chris Alcocer, Matt Seare and Mike Meka bring nearly 90 years of sales experience to the Shade Headwear brand.
Unrivaled Sports Acquires Rocker B Ranch for Baseball and Multi-Sport Division
The venue includes four baseball fields and resort-style amenities, including lodging, food and beverage, two swimming pools, a fishing pond, and a music venue. The property also includes volleyball, basketball and tennis courts.
PickleRage to Open in Glen Burnie, MD
PickleRage Glen Burnie will open on January 17 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.
Crunch Franchisee to Open Crunch Gym in Colleyville, Texas
CR Fitness Holdings, LLC will open Crunch Colleyville in Spring 2025. The franchisee has 74 locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee and plans to expand into Arizona.
Recall: Precor Resolute Cable Multi-Station Exercise Equipment
Precor has received nine reports of the pulley dropping during use, including two minor head injuries. The product was manufactured in China and sold to fitness facilities nationwide from July 2023 through October 2024 for between $3,020 and $3,340.
Golf Datatech: Rounds Played Rose in November 2024
U.S. rounds played were up +3.0 percent for the month and up +2.6 percent YTD when compared to November 2023.
