SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Judge Clears Sale of Vestis to Parent’s Affiliate
A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved a plan to sell Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores to an affiliate of their current owner so that they can exit Chapter 11 proceedings next month as going concerns.
21sportsgroup Names Planet Sports Exec CFO
21sportsgroup appointed Dr. Henner Schwarz, managing director of recently acquired Planet Sports, as its CFO and third managing director alongside Jörg Mayer and Michael Burk.
NICA Executive Director Recognized by President
National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) Executive Director Austin McInerny has received a 2016 President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition Community Leadership Award for his work.

NBA Finals Project Nike to Bow to Under Armour, Again
The NBA Finals tip off June 2 with a great rematch between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors — aka, Nike versus Under Armour.

Rawlings Signs Five-year Exclusive NCAA Softball Status
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. a subsidiary of Newell Brands, announced an exclusive status with the NCAA as the Official Softball of NCAA Championships effective 2017 through 2021.
YogaWorks Opens D.C. Studio
YogaWorks, the rapidly growing yoga and fitness studio, opened its first studio in Washington D.C.
Beachbody Fitness Branches Into Apparel, Footwear
Beachbody, a provider of in-home and gym-based fitness programs, including P90X, 21 Day Fix and Insanity, appointed of Global Brand Partners Pte. Ltd. as its global licensee for footwear and apparel.
Athletic Dealers of America Adds KM Sports
KM Sports of Pewaukee, WD has decided to join the Athletic Dealers of America. KM Sports has been in business since 1972, serving athletes and teams in the greater Milwaukee area.
SFIA ‘Start-Up Challenge’ Deadline Extended
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) has extended its submissions deadline for the inaugural ‘Start-Up Challenge’, which will take place at the 2016 SFIA Industry Leaders Summit (ILS) in Denver, CO, September 14-15, 2016.
Body Labs: Returns of Online Apparel and Footwear Sapping Retail Profits
Body Labs estimated that up to a quarter of apparel and footwear acquired online in the United States last year was returned due to sizing issues.

Lululemon Founder Criticizes Board, Calls For Changes
In an open letter to shareholders released Wednesday, Lululemon Athletica Inc founder Chip Wilson criticized the retailer’s board, calling for annual election of the entire board to make directors more accountable for the company’s performance.
Textile Exchange Refutes PETA Claims
The Textile Exchange said a video published last week by PETA showing Chinese farmers live plucking geese for down was not filmed at farms certified to the Responsible Down Standard embraced by many outdoor brands.
Aeropostale Gains Star Athletes for Back-to-school Denim Campaign
Aeropostale Inc., a specialty retailer of casual apparel for young women and men, entered a partnership with Olympic Gold Medalist Aly Raisman and U.S. Men’s Soccer Star DeAndre Yedlin for its 2016 back-to-school denim campaign.
Study Highlights ‘Emotional Labor’ Required of Student-athletes
A recent study from North Carolina State University exposed the “emotional labor” required of collegiate student-athletes, which can leave student-athletes feeling powerless, frustrated and nervous. The study calls on universities to better prepare their student-athletes with communication skills they can use to address the challenges of emotional labor.
Women’s Sports Foundation Reports Grave Gender Bias in Coaching
The Women’s Sports Foundation released a report confirming that female coaches of women’s sports currently face limitations in pay and professional advancement in the workplace, and furthermore that the trend shows no signs of improvement.