SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Sports Direct Parent Makes Bid For Handbag Maker Mulberry
Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, proposed an £83 million ($111 mm) offer to buy the luxury brand Mulberry.
Major League Soccer Selects Startups For Second MLS Innovation Lab
Major League Soccer (MLS) announced the six companies selected for the second cohort of the MLS Innovation Lab. This initiative aims to identify and nurture startups and advanced technologies supporting the future of sports and continued growth of the league.
Foresight Sports and Uneekor Agree on License of Foresight Sports Patents
Foresight Sports, which is owned by Vista Outdoor’s Revelyst segment, and Uneekor, Inc., a manufacturer of golf simulator technologies, have reached an agreement that grants Uneekor a license to a number of Foresight Sports patents related to portable golf launch monitor technology.
Union Sees U.S. East Coast Port Strike Starting on Tuesday
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on Sunday announced plans for a widespread strike at all Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports, scheduled to begin at 12:01 am on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The strike would involve 85,000 ILA members and impact ports from Maine to Texas.
Branded Bills To Move Into Bigger Headquarters in Tempe
Branded Bills signed a 96,407-square-foot lease for new headquarters in Tempe, AZ. The lease triples the size of the headwear and apparel maker’s headquarters to support its 40 percent year-over-year growth.
Authentic Appoints EVP, Head of Greater China
Authentic Brands Group hired Josh Perlman as EVP, head of Greater China. He brings over 25 years of experience, previously managing director at Tristate, where he was “instrumental in signing and building brands including Jack Wolfskin, Fila, Nautica, Spyder, and Reebok.
Riddell Sets Leadership Transition
The company has announced that Dan Arment plans to retire at the end of the year as president and CEO of the football equipment brand and parent company, BRG Sports. CFO and COO, Allison Boersma will succeed him.
EGYM Secures ~$200 million of Growth Capital led by L Catterton and Meritech Capital
The investment from L Catterton, a big player in the connected fitness space, and Meritech Capital, a leading Silicon Valley technology-focused venture firm, is based on a valuation of over $1 billion.
Asics Global State of Mind Study: The Desk Break Experiment
Asics enlisted actor Brian Cox to take on the role of the world’s scariest boss to highlight the real threat to our mental health—the desk we work at every day. Asics Global Study found tour mental state starts to decline after only two hours of continuous desk-based working, but just 15 minutes of exercise can help to reverse the effects.
The Curling Group Raises $5 million in Seed Funding to Expand the Sport
The company said the rise in curling’s popularity is reflected in the interest of pro athletes and celebrities, including former NFL star Jared Allen and current NFL players George Kittle and TJ Hockenson, who are part of The Curling Group’s initial investors.
OxeFit Adds Additional Investors on Path to Expand AI-Driven Fitness Programs
The company said that with continued interest from entrepreneur and pro-athlete investors, it will use the new funds to further deliver on its commitment to bring AI to its health and fitness platform.
FluidLogic Investors Look to Expand Hydration Systems to Consumer Categories
The company said this investment will fund new product development and innovation for consumer products in the adventure sports and outdoor endurance categories expected to be available in early 2025.
L Catterton Acquires Majority Stake in Solidcore Fitness Studios
The investment firm has acquired Solidcore, a national network of fitness studios providing targeted strength training on custom-built reformers, from VMG Partners, Kohlberg & Company, and Peterson Partners.
Puma Appoints Markus Neubrand as CFO
Neubrand replaces CFO Hubert Hinterseher, who has mutually agreed to step down, effective September 30, 2024, leaving on December 31, 2024, after successfully transitioning his duties to Neubrand.
Orangetheory Fitness Opens New Studios in Greater Chicago, NYC Metro and Spain
Orangetheory Fitness opened three new studios in September—two in the U.S. (Crystal Lake, IL and Jersey City, NJ) and one in Valencia, Spain, reflecting its vision to “make a lasting impact on the health and wellness of communities worldwide.”
