Michael Jacobsen

LAtest

NFHS Clarifies Football Uniform Requirements

Wilson Unveils Airless Basketball

Marucci Sports Co-Founder Relaunches SweetSpot

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California Won’t Ban Youth Tackle Football

A Democrat-led effort to ban tackle football for children in California is reportedly in jeopardy after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed last month that he plans to veto the controversial bill if it reaches his desk.

USA Hockey Requiring Neck Protection

Coming three months after a player died from a skate to the neck, USA Hockey has decided to require the use of neck laceration protection for all junior hockey players beginning this summer. The new rule will apply to all players and on-ice officials under the age of 18 in both games and practices.

Mat Tales

For most sports fans of a certain age, their first exposure to wrestling and one of the sport’s most indelible images can be traced back to the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich when American Dan Gable won the gold medal in the men’s Freestyle Lightweight Division.

Baseball and Brothers

One of the many things my little brother, Glenn, and I agreed on in the almost 20 years we shared a bedroom was that baseball was our favorite sport to play and watch.

Augusta/Founder Acquired by PE Firm

Apparently the team sports business and its major vendors have become very attractive to the money men. Following a number of lower profile acquisitions by private equity investors in the past year...

Hockey News: USA Hockey/Winmark; Pure Hockey

There were two interesting pieces of news in the ice hockey arena in the past few weeks.

Ram Re-Elected SFIA Chairman

Jonathan Ram, CEO of Clarks, Inc., was re-elected as chairman of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Board of Directors for the 2024 term.

USB Names Gyori New CEO

United Sports Brands, the parent of Shock Doctor, McDavid, Cutters, Nathan, Pearl Izumi and Glukos, has appointed Phil Gyori as CEO.

Illinois Adds Girls' Flag Football

In a sign of the continued growth of girls’ flag football in American high schools, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) recently made girls’ flag football an officially sanctioned sport in Fall 2024.

Jokić Signs Shoe Deal With 361°

Even though team dealers don’t sell a lot of basketball sneakers any longer, it is newsworthy to note that another smaller footwear brand has invested in a big-name basketball player.

SFIA: Team Participation Up, Core Players Down

There is good and not-so-good news for the world of team sports, according to the recently released 2023 U.S. Trends in Team Sports Report from The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).

Hibbett and Nike Launch Sole School Program

Making a strong move into local team sports as part of its give-back initiative, sporting goods retailer Hibbett/City Gear, in partnership with Nike, recently awarded 103 high schools and more than 2500 students with in-kind donations...

Two Acquisitions Impact Team Business

There were two recent acquisitions in the team sports space that will most likely impact a portion of the business that team dealers around the country do with these organizations.

BSN Sports Receives Employer Award


BSN Sports was recently named a "2023 Best Employer in Sports" by Front Office Sports. Founded in 2019, the Best Employers in Sports award acknowledges 30 organizations within the sports industry that excel in prioritizing their employees through dynamic leadership...

G8RTech Launches G8RSkin Ice Hockey PPE

With increasing attention being paid in the world of hockey following some tragic incidents on the ice, G8RTech – a specialized protective equipment company – has launched of its initial product for hockey players, G8RSkin Ice.

SFIA Taps Horine As COO


The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) has appointed Glenn Horine to serve as its new chief operating officer, effective January 1, 2024.

USB Acquired by Norwest Equity

United Sports Brands (USB), the parent company of team sports brands such as Shock Doctor, McDavid and Cutters, along with active lifestyle brands Nathan, Pearl Izumi and Glukos, was recently acquired from Bregal Partners by Norwest Equity Partners (NEP). The transaction closed on November 20.

Obituary: Jim Easton, 88

Jim Easton, a major figure in ensuring the family name became an iconic brand in the sporting goods industry and a 1994 inductee into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame, passed away Dec. 4 at age 88.

Reebok Licenses Sakar For Sports Equipment

In a move to reinvigorate the Reebok brand in the world of team sports, Authentic Brands Group has entered into a long-term licensing agreement with Sakar International to design and distribute Reebok-branded basketball, pickleball, baseball, soccer and football equipment...

Stahls’, Chipply Team Up

In an interesting move that brings together an established team sports brand with an aggressive new technology company, Stahls’ has entered into a partnership with Chipply, the online store software supplier for team dealers.

BSN Enters Two Partnerships

As 2023 draws to a close BSN Sports remains active with two recently announced new partnerships.

TMX Q&A: NAIA’s Marc Burchard

Marc Burchard is associate director of championships at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). To gain some insight into how the NAIA is looking to grow flag football at its member schools, TeamInsightExtra writer Mike May sat down for a Take Five with Burchard.

Riddell Extends NFL Helmet Partnership Through 2030 Season

In a move with far-reaching implications in the team sports business, football helmet maker Riddell recently signed a seven-year extension to its partnership with the National Football League (NFL).

NSGA Renames Annual Event

Responding to the times and business direction, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) recently unveiled a new name and logo for what was previously known as the NSGA Management Conference and Team Dealer Summit.

Online Tech Competition Heating Up

Illustrating the growing importance of technology, online team stores and other data-driven efforts within the team sports business, the two leading providers of these technologies had some significant announcements this month leading up to the Sports, Inc. buying show in Las Vegas.