SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Puma Leaps Back Into Basketball
Marking its return to basketball in a big way, Puma announced the signing of Deandre Ayton, widely expected to be the number-one pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, to an multi-year endorsement deal. Puma also honored basketball legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier with a lifetime contract and hired Jay Z as creative director to help guide basketball marketing.
Bridgestone Golf Appoints Dan Murphy President & CEO
Bridgestone Golf, a manufacturer of golf balls, clubs and accessories, has appointed Dan Murphy as president and CEO.
Deckers Brands Appoints CFO
Deckers Brands announced the appointment of Steve Fasching to chief financial officer effective July 16, 2018. Fasching previously served as the company’s senior vice president, corporate strategy, planning & investor relations. He succeeds Tom George, who will transition concurrent with Fasching’s appointment.
Perry Ellis To Be Taken Private In $437 Million Deal
Perry Ellis International agreed to go private in a deal valued at $437 million, four months after George Feldenkreis, the founder and former executive chairman, made a bid for the apparel company.
Lululemon Supports Increased Access To Yoga And Meditation Through Donations
Lululemon Athletica announced that, on June 21, the company will donate 100 percent of profits from the company’s in-store and online sales to benefit non-profit groups that increase access to yoga and meditation for communities that face barriers to well-being.
Reports: Puma To Sign Marvin Bagley
Puma, marking the company’s return to performance basketball this year, has signed top NBA draft prospect Marvin Bagley III to a five-year endorsement deal.
Licensing Expo’s Key Attendance Expands
Licensing Expo, held in Las Vegas from May 22 to 24, 2018, saw significant growth in key areas among its attendee base, including a 10 percent increase in retailers and 16 percent increase in first-time attendees.
May Retail Sales Up 5.6 Percent Over Last Year
May retail sales increased 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted over April and 5.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year as a growing economy prompted consumers to continue to spend, the National Retail Federation said Thursday. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.
Adidas, Nike Again Dominate World Cup
With FIFA World Cup 2018 starting in Russia, Adidas is sponsoring 12 of the 32 teams, a slight edge over Nike, at 10. Puma has four teams, New Balance has two and Umbro has one team, Peru.
Academy Sports Opens New Store In Columbus, GA
The store is approximately 63,000 square feet and brings approximately 100 new jobs to the community.
SFIA Opens Registration For Third Annual Start-Up Challenge
The SFIA Start-Up Challenge returns for the third consecutive year at SFIA’s annual Industry Leaders Summit on September 26 in Denver, CO. Register at sfiastartupchallenge.org
80BREAKR Golf App Now Available For Courses
Koerve Inc. is pleased to announce that 80BREAKR—the golf scorecard app enjoyed by golfers worldwide—is now being deployed by golf courses to supplement existing marketing and increase revenue. The app works on any course in the world.
U.S., Canada & Mexico Selected To Host 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States. On Wednesday, the 68th FIFA Congress convened in Moscow and designated the three countries as the hosts of tournament, which by then will be played with 48 teams.
Adidas Soccer Signs Paulo Dybala
Adidas Soccer revealed the signing of Argentina and Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
Boise State Athletics Extends Deal With Nike
Boise State and Nike have agreed to a six-year contract extension valued at an average of more than $2 million per year, Director of Athletics Curt Apsey announced.
