SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Acushnet Acquires Links & Kings
Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist and FootJoy, announced the acquisition of Links & Kings, a Utah-based company dedicated to the design and handcrafted production of luxury leather golf and lifestyle products.
’47 Extends Partnership With Operation Hat Trick
’47, a privately held premium sports lifestyle brand, has extended its partnership with Operation Hat Trick (OHT), a non profit organization that generates awareness, support and funding for the recovery of America’s wounded veterans & service members via donations to select organizations throughout the country.
Sweatcoin Secures Funding
Sweatcoin, a free smartphone app that pays people to be physically active, said it has secured $5.7 million in funding. The company said it has been the most downloaded app in the health and fitness category in the U.S. and U.K. since September 2017.
SSI Data Introduces Direct Integration Tool For CAM Commerce’s RetailSTAR POS System
SSI Data, in coordination with leading POS system vendor CAM Commerce Solutions, announced a direct connection tool for retailers utilizing the RetailSTAR POS point-of-sale software system. This tool is the latest addition to an ongoing SSI Data initiative to improve and simplify POS data reporting for partner retailers.
Study: Repeated Hits To Head, Not Only Concussions, Can Cause CTE
A study published online in Brain, a journal of neurology, finds that repetitive hits to the head that don’t lead to concussions – meaning no loss of consciousness or other symptoms that can include headaches, dizziness, vision problems or confusion – cause CTE.
S&P Downgrades Sears’ Corporate Credit Rating
Standard & Poors Corp. lowered its corporate credit rating on Sears to ‘CCC-‘ from ‘CCC’ to reflect its view of “potential transactions as distressed because its believe lenders would receive less than the original promise.” The outlook is negative.
Nike Lab In Downtown Manhattan Sued For Noise Complaints
A Soho condo has filed a lawsuit against Nike for noise emanating from promotional events at its Nike Lab store on 22 Mercer St.
Nike Takes Steps Toward 100 Percent Renewable Energy In North America
Nike announced that it has signed its second major wind contract with Avangrid Renewables — this time for 86 megawatts of Texas wind power.

PGA Tour Superstore Achieves Record Year
PGA Tour Superstore announced the company’s 2017 performance of a 15 percent comp store sales growth.
Wigwam Selects Inside|Out Communications
Wigwam Mills Inc., the family owned maker of premium, made-in-the-USA socks since 1905, announced that Colorado-based Inside|Out Communications will handle its global media and brand communications for the Peak 2 Pub, Rod & Rifle, Lifestyle/Classics and the all new Work Line categories.
Amazon Names 20 “Finalist” Cities For Second Headquarters
Amazon announced it has chosen the following 20 metropolitan areas to potentially host HQ2, the company’s second headquarters in North America, as it moves to the next phase of the process.
Activist Investors Urge Changes At Genesco
In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Legion Partners Asset Management LLC and 4010 Capital LLC said they now own a combined 5.3 percent stake in Genesco and stated they made the acquisition because they Genesco’s shares are ““undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity.”
VF Corp. To Open Distribution Center In Jonestown, PA
VF Corp will open a new distribution center in Jonestown, Pa., in early 2019. VF is investing up to $52 million in the project and bringing more than 175 new full-time jobs to the area over the next three years.

Nike Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
Nike Inc. announced Dirk-Jan “DJ” van Hameren has been promoted to VP, chief marketing officer. Van Hameren will succeed Greg Hoffman, who has been appointed VP, Global Brand Creative & Marketing Innovation.

Adidas’ Eric Liedtke Joins Carbon’s Board Of Directors
Carbon, a Silicon Valley-based digital 3D manufacturing company, announced it has appointed Eric Liedtke, Adidas’ executive board member – global brands to its board of directors.