SGB Update Sports & Fitness
PGA Tour Superstore Announces Retail Expansion
Golf retailer PGA Tour Superstore on Thursday announced it will open at least six new stores in 2019 as it accelerates its growth strategy to expand its brick-and-mortar presence by more than 50 percent over the next three years.
EU Opens Probe Into Nike’s Dutch Tax Arrangements
The European Commission opened an investigation into Nike Inc.’s tax deals with the Netherlands. The probe could potentially lead to Nike having to pay back millions of euros.
OBIT Dr. Bernice Sandler
Dr. Bernice Sandler, known as the “godmother of Title IX” for her work advocating for women’s and girls rights in education and athletics, has passed away at the age of 90.
Nike Expands Relationship With Gridsum
Gridsum Holding Inc., a provider of cloud-based big-data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in China, announced that it has expanded its relationship with Nike, Inc., with the addition of data analysis, consulting, and data modeling services.
Nicole Hobson Joins PPR Staff
Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) on Thursday announced the hiring of its first full-time employee. As member services manager, Nicole Hobson will serve more than 1,000 PPR members—and counting—with the quality and commitment expected in a subsidiary of PTR.
Badger Sportswear Cuts Off Chinese Factory In Internment Camp
Badger Sportswear in a statement posted to its website said it will no longer do business with a Chinese company that allegedly used workers from an internment camp holding targeted members of ethnic minority groups, according to the Associated Press.
ClassPass Acquires Asia-Based Rival GuavaPass
ClassPass announced it signed an agreement to acquire GuavaPass, an aggregator of fitness experiences operating in Asia and the Middle East.
Nike And Flex To End Partnership
Nike and Flex, a contract manufacturer, have agreed to wind down its footwear manufacturing operations in Guadalajara by the end of the year.
2019 Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards Now Open
Varsity Brands has officially opened submissions for the fourth annual 2019 Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards, which honor those in America’s high schools who are making an impact to build school pride and community spirit. A total of $100,000 will be awarded across 25 categories.
SFIA Hires New Managing Director Of Sponsorship
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) announced a new addition to the organization, Rick Salomone, who will be responsible for leading and expanding the SFIA sponsorship program. Salomone previously served as the CEO of Surys, a company rooted in holographic science, aiming to provide authentication solutions and reduce counterfeiting of products.
Sears Gets Another Reprieve From Liquidation
Sears has accepted Eddie Lampert’s bid to acquire the company to stave off a liquidation although the bid now requires Sears chairman to deposit $120 million by 4 p.m. Wednesday through his ESL Investments hedge fund.
Brunswick Reports More Than 125 Patents Granted In 2018
Brunswick Corporation announced that it had 126 United States patents granted to the Company during 2018, up nearly a third from its 2017 results and nearly twice as many as it was awarded in 2015. All Brunswick divisions – marine engine, boat and fitness — contributed to this record-breaking innovation output.
New Balance Plans Facility In Methuen, MA
New Balance Athletics plans to open to open an advanced manufacturing facility in Methuen, MA.
USA Cycling Hires Former New Balance CEO Rob DeMartini
The USA Cycling Board of Directors has named Rob DeMartini as president and chief executive officer of USA Cycling. DeMartini joins the organization from New Balance Athletics, Inc. where he spent the last 12 years as president and CEO.
Lacrosse Unlimited Appoints EVP Of Institutional Sales
Lacrosse Unlimited announced that Sean Haggerty has been brought on as executive vice president of institutional sales. Haggerty comes to Lacrosse Unlimited from BEA Partners where he led external strategic sales and marketing initiatives.
