SGB Update Sports & Fitness
VF Corp. Announces Name For Jeanswear Spinoff
VF Corporation announced that Kontoor Brands, Inc. will be the name of the independent, publicly traded company that will result from its previously announced separation of VF’s Jeanswear organization.
Global Golf Innovation Competition Announced For 2019 PGA Merchandise Show
The inaugural Global Golf Innovation Competition, a new “Shark Tank”-style of competition for golf startups, was announced Wednesday for the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show, in Orlando, FL.
Moody’s Assigns Debt Ratings To Callaway Golf’s Term Loan
Moody’s assigned a Ba3 rating to a proposed $480 million senior secured term loan will be used to fund the acquisition of Jack Wolfskin.
Dolfin Swimwear Signs World Championship Medalist Zane Grothe
Dolfin Swimwear announced the signing of U.S. National Team member, World Championship medalist, and 2020 Olympic prospect Zane Grothe as an endorser.
Roka Presents Strava Cycling Challenge
Roka Sports Inc., best known for its performance eyewear, announce its first Strava Challenge, the Roka Dirty 30.
Nike Names Heidi O’Neill To Expanded Role As President of Nike Direct
Nike Inc. on Tuesday announced that Heidi O’Neill, president, Nike Direct, will expand her current role as leader of Nike physical retail stores and Nike.com to now include all Nike digital products, services and member experiences, effective immediately. O’Neill will report to Elliott Hill, president, Consumer and Marketplace.
National Hockey League Approves Expansion Team In Seattle
The National Hockey League’s board of governors on Tuesday voted to approve Seattle as the 32nd NHL Franchise for the 2021-22 season.
Icebreaker Opens New Bellevue Touch Lab And Re-Opens Portland Flagship
New Zealand-based Icebreaker opened a new Touch Lab in Bellevue, WA and re-open their Portland, OR flagship store.
BibRave 100’s Winning Races Announced
The Missoula Marathon was again voted The Best Marathon in America, according to the 2018 edition of The BibRave 100. The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon won the Half Marathon category, AJC Peachtree Road Race again won the 10K, and the Allstate Hot Chocolate Chicago 5K won the 5K category.
Little League Establishes New Executive Leadership Structure
A new executive leadership structure of Little League International was established following the annual fall meeting of the Little League International Board of Directors.
Big 5 Again Faces Activist Investors
Another activist group, led by former senior executives at Wal-Mart and Vans, have launched a website, www.SaveBig5.com, and sent out a press release urging shareholders to vote for them to fill two vacant seats on the board.
Performance Bicycle To Liquidate All Doors
Performance Bicycle in an amended bankruptcy filing said Gordon Brothers, which was initially to liquidate 40 Performance Bicycle stores, has been retained to liquidate the chain’s remaining 62 stores. The chain’s owner indicated stores may be reopening as part of the restructuring.
Fanatics Partners With Esports League
Fanatics announced an official retail and licensing partnership with Overwatch League. The multi-year deal is the first ever esports partnership for Fanatics, and is believed to be the first official merchandising deal between a major retailer and an official esports league
Report: Lululemon Founder Close To Joining Anta’s Bid For Amer Sports
Chip Wilson, Lululemon’s founder, is in talks to join Anta’s investment consortium in its bid for Amer Sports, according to a report from Bloomberg. Wilson, whose net value is reportedly worth $3.5 billion, is exploring taking a 20 percent stake in the consortium.
SFIA Pleased With President’s Temporary Suspension Of New Tariffs
President Trump’s announcement, on Saturday, December 1, that he will not raise tariffs on Chinese-made products from 10 percent to 25 percent on Jan. 1, 2019, is welcome news for the sports and fitness industry, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
