SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Swiftwick Hires Nike Vet as Sales Manager, Run Specialty
James Osborne, who has worked as a sales and community consultant for the company since earlier this summer, was hired full-time as sales manager for run specialty. He will remain a co-owner of The Exchange Running Collective with his wife who will manage day-to-day operations.
Hartford Sales Group Celebrates 40 Years as Indie Sales Agency
The company, founded in October 1984 by Larry Hartford, cut its teeth on new brands launching in the market. Hartford started his footwear and apparel sales career ten years prior, representing Tred2, Brooks, Court Casuals and many others in the active outdoor space.
Williams Athletic Club Apparel Brand Adds to Leadership Team
The luxury lifestyle golf brand, has named golf industry experts Marty Hackel, the former fashion director at Golf Digest, and Alyson Ramsey Johnson, CEO of golf marketing agency Gilly Group, to the brand’s leadership team and as investors of the apparel company.
Report: Private Golf Clubs are Vital Contributors to National and Local Economies
The study found that private clubs provided a total payroll of $17.4 billion in 2023, with $14.6 billion in wages and $2.8 billion in payroll taxes and benefits, surpassing large corporations.
Champion Europe Appoints New Creative Director
Maurizio Donadi’s will oversee the creative development of Champion’s product lines and seasonal collections. His arrival is reported to mark a shift in the brand’s direction under the new ownership of Authentic Brands Group, which acquired the brand in October.
The Golf Travel Writers of America Establishes New Leadership Team
The organization, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, is an association of U.S. and Canadian golf travel writers, editors, publishers, columnists, radio and television hosts, and freelancers who focus on golf travel.
Survey: Consumers Expected to Spend $125 Billion Over Thanksgiving Weekend 2024
ICSC said 90 percent of consumers – or 236 million people – plan to shop based on the results from the 2024 Thanksgiving Weekend Intentions survey.
TruGolf Holdings Posts Turnaround Quarter in Q3 as Sales Grow 82 Percent
EBITDA for the second half of 2024 is estimated to range between $1.1 million and $1.5 million, showing a return to profitability following significant investments made over the past two years. Total revenue for end of 2024 is expected to grow 9 percent to 13 percent.
Arora Group Appoints New Managing Director of Golf
Gerry Ivers will oversee day-to-day operations at The Buckinghamshire, recently repositioned as a private members’ club following an over £10 million clubhouse renovation. He will also develop a new course at Ryder Cup candidate venue Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa.
Nite Ize Spins Off Tru Zip to Stand-Alone Brand
Nite Ize, manufacturer of the Tru Zip toothless, dustproof and waterproof zipper, announced that the product now operates as an independent brand. Nite Ize, the product inventor, will remain its sole distributor.
S&S Activewear Taps Industry Veteran to Lead Hard Goods Division
Eric Levin brings over 33 years of industry leadership to this role, having previously founded Jetline, a promotional products business that merged with Prime Line in 2015, which Alphabroder acquired and became the supplier’s hard goods division. Levin served as executive vice president of strategy and growth.
Report: Pickleball Specific Facilities Grew 55 Percent Last Year But Still Lags in Participation Growth
SFIA and Pickleheads have released their second annual report, the 2024 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report, noting that the industry has responded to the shortage of pickleball courts in the U.S., with a 55 percent year-over-year increase in the number of dedicated facilities for play.
Oaktree Solutions Launches Oaktree Sports Ventures; Taps Jayson Willams to Lead Effort
The global public affairs and venture consulting firm has tapped former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams as managing director of Sports Ventures. Williams will also advise Oaktree’s corporate and non-profit clients on engaging the athletic community and addressing issues of mental health and wellbeing.
Newton Golf Narrows Q3 Net Loss as Year-Over-Year Sales Growth Surged
The company, previously know as Sacks Parente Golf, posted a net loss of $1.06 million in the quarter, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million in the year-ago Q3 period. Revenue was $1.2 million in the third quarter, an increase of 1,175 percent year-over-year.
EXEC: Fila USA Continues Downward Spiral as Q3 Revenues Fall 57 Percent Over Two Years
The company said the decline in Q3 was mainly due to the competitive market environment in the sports fashion category caused by “excessive discounting.” The company is now focusing on margin improvement and brand-centric strategies to enhance brand equity.
