SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Phoenix Sports Partners Acquires Majority Stake In Atavus Football

Phoenix Sports Partners, a sports technology and data investment fund based in Chicago, announced that it will add Atavus to its growing portfolio. The acquisition of Atavus, a football tackling analytics and certification platform, was finalized earlier this month.

Kering Reduces Puma stake

Kering is moving to reduce its stake in Puma by issuing bonds that can be exchanged for shares in the brand, according to Reuters.

Adidas Renews Partnership With Louisiana Athletic

Louisiana Athletics and Adidas have entered a three-year partnership in which the Portland, Ore.,-based company will be the official athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand of the Ragin’ Cajuns through the 2021-22 season

Gap Inc. Appoints New Head Of Athleta

Gap Inc. announced the appointment of Mary Beth Laughton as president and chief executive officer of Athleta. She was EVP of Omni retail for Sephora U.S. leading both the e-commerce and stores channels. She previously spent nine years at Nike.

Hibbett Announces Appointment Of Interim Chief Financial Officer

Hibbett Sports Inc. announced that Scott R. Humphrey is joining the company as interim chief financial officer effective September 29, 2019, replacing Christine Skold who fulfilled her contract term and has accepted a full-time permanent position in Nashville.

PHIT America Gets Multi-Million Dollar Commitment

PHIT America said Julia Love Pritt Private Foundation has become its first Presenting Sponsor who will help further achieve its goal of getting millions of more kids physically active and playing sports.

Varsity Brands’ Debt Ratings Lowered

Standard & Poors lowered the debt ratings of Varsity Brands, the parent of BSN Sports, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones. The rating agency said the company continues to perform below its expectations due to high operating expenses, resulting in weaker-than-expected profitability and adjusted leverage above 10 times.

Wahoo Acquires Speedplay

Wahoo, the provider of connected fitness devices, announced its acquisition of Speedplay, the pedal brand found on the bikes of athletes such as Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins, two-time Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno, and two-time Time Trial World Champion Kristin Armstrong.

YogaClub Attains Funding

YogaClub, a size-inclusive activewear subscription service for women based in El Segundo, CA, secured a credit facility of $2 million from Garden City, NY-based Craft Capital Management.

Mayfield Athletics Earns Patent For Facemask Clip Design

Mayfield Athletics, a Michigan-based sports equipment company, earned a patent for its flagship product, S.A.F.E.Clip, a facemask clip proven to reduce impact to the head by up to 35 percent for football players. The company recently announced a second patent is currently pending for its Generation 2 design.

Ninja Nation Launches Global Franchise Program

Ninja Nation, a leading provider of obstacle course arenas,  formally launched its global franchise program. In announcing ambitious growth plans, company leadership set a goal of creating One Million Heroes – children and adults bettering themselves physically and mentally through unique and ever-changing Ninja Nation obstacle courses.