SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Bass Pro’s Debt Ratings Outlook Lowered To Negative
Moody’s changed its debt rating of Bass Pro Group, L.L.C. to negative from stable. The change in outlook to negative from stable reflects the risk that Bass Pro’s credit metrics may weaken on a sustained basis as a result of recessionary conditions and declines in discretionary consumer spending.

Yue Yuen’s Revenues Expand 4.2 Percent In 2019
Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Ltd. recorded revenue of $10,105.4 million in 2019, representing an increase of 4.2 percent, compared with the previous year. Profit attributable to owners of the company declined by 2.1 percent to $300.5 million, as compared to $307.1 million recorded for the previous year.

Escalade Appoints New President & CEO
Escalade Inc., a maker of a wide range of sporting goods, announced the appointment of Scott Sincerbeaux as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. Sincerbeaux joins Escalade from Wolverine World Wide, Inc., where he held several positions including president of The Stride Rite Children’s Group, president of direct to consumer and president of global retail.

Saucony Run For Good Foundation Marks 15th Anniversary
Saucony marks the 15th anniversary of the brand’s Saucony Run for Good Foundation with the announcement of a new round of grant winners. Established in 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million dollars in grants to 180 schools and community organizations all dedicated to preventing childhood obesity through running and proper nutrition.

New Balance To Make Medical Masks
New Balance said it will be making medical-grade face masks at its U.S. plants as hospitals continue to face shortages of safety equipment amid the spread of the coronavirus.

Bass Pro’s Flagship In Springfield Closes Temporarily
Bass Pro Shops’ flagship store in Springfield, MO is temporarily closing amid the Coronavirus pandemic due to new stay-at-home orders in the state. The retailer already noted that it had reduced hours and limited access to 25 customers at a time.

Modell’s Bankruptcy Suspended Due To Coronavirus
Modell’s Sporting Goods’s bankruptcy proceedings were suspended until April 30 after COVID-19 restrictions temporarily shuttered stores to prevent going-out-of-business sales.

Li-Ning’s Sales Expand 32 Percent In 2019
Li-Ning reported net earnings vaulted 110 percent in its year ended December 31 as revenues increased 32 percent.

Under Armour Draws Down Revolver
Under Armour said in a regulatory filing that it borrowed $700 million under its credit facility as a precautionary measure in order to increase its cash position and preserve liquidity given the uncertainty in global markets resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Golf Rounds Played Surge In February
Golf rounds played vaulted 19.1 in February, according to Golf Datatech. The biggest gains were seen in East North Central, New England, Mid Atlantic and West North Central.

City Of Fresno Declares Sporting Goods Essential Retail
Sporting goods stores in Fresno, CA have been allowed to reopen as essential businesses, city leaders announced. Officials said many of the stores sell essential items including food, water, emergency supplies, ice, food storage, propane, and cooking supplies.

Lululemon’s Q4 Earnings Top Estimates On Online Sales Surge
Lululemon Athletica Inc. reported net earnings rose 36.4 percent and slightly exceeded Wall Street’s targets. Same-store sales soared 20 percent, lifted by a 41 percent hike in online sales. The retailer joined other companies in not providing a forecast for the current fiscal year due to the coronavirus.

Fanatics Partners With MLB To Make Masks And Gowns For Health Professionals
Fanatics in a partnership with Major League Baseball has halted jersey production efforts and is repurposing its 360,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Easton, PA to immediately begin making masks and gowns. The items will be made with the exact same jersey fabric that the players wear on the field.

USA Triathlon Statement On Postponement of Tokyo Olympics
USA Triathlon issued a statement in response to the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees’ respective announcements that the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be postponed to 2021 due to ongoing logistical and public health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic.

U.S. Road Race Participation Declines 2.7 Percent For 2019
The number of runners registering for organized races in the U.S. was down slightly in 2019, continuing a six-year gradual drawback of mass participation in recreational road racing. According to Running USA data analysis, the industry peaked in 2013, when 19 million runners crossed the finish line at U.S. running events over all distances.