Michael Jacobsen

LAtest

USA Hockey Requiring Neck Protection

California Won’t Ban Youth Tackle Football

Marucci Sports Co-Founder Relaunches SweetSpot

Wilson Unveils Airless Basketball

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Sssshhh, Pickleball Is Trying To Be Quiet(er)

Every time we meet with or interview a pickleball company we ask the same question: Is anyone working on a way to reduce the admittedly annoying sound that playing pickleball makes?

Pickleball by the Numbers

The Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and Pickleheads, an online platform for pickleball, recently released the 2023 State of Pickleball: Participation and Infrastructure Report.

Courtside Chatter

Grammy Award winning rapper Drake and “Black Panther” star Michael B. Jordan are among the new investors in Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Aces. Drake, Jordan and Translation CEO Steve Stoute are among the new backers for the franchise...

One-on-One with Max Pearson

When Travis Elam was promoted to CEO at the Sports. Inc. buying group a little more than a year ago, Max Pearson gladly accepted the role of director of team sports, where he now leads the team division in areas such as member relationships and recruitment...

Chandler Bats Acquires Emery Glove

Chandler Bats, based in Port St. Lucie, FL, has acquired custom baseball glove manufacturer, Emery Glove Co., based in Lawrenceville, NJ. Chandler Bats, which was founded in 2009 and acquired by former MLB All-Star Yoenis Céspedes’ YC52 in 2019...

High School Sells Gym Naming Rights To Scheels

In a true sign of the times, word comes that the Byron (Minn.) School Board has sold the naming rights of the high school gymnasium to Scheels, the North Dakota-based sporting goods store known for its massive stores that include Ferris wheels, aquariums and all sorts of team sports activities.

Massov Unveils Female Football Gloves

Illustrating the ongoing growth of female participation in both flag and tackle football, a company called Massov has introduced football gloves designed and sized for women.

NRF to Award Dick’s Ed Stack

Although the many team dealers he competes with might not be real happy about it, Dick’s Sporting Goods executive chairman Ed Stack will be presented with The Visionary Award from the National Retail Federation (NRF) during its ninth annual Foundation Honors January 14 in New York City.

Longstreth Sporting Goods Sold To Private Equity Firm

Already a shell of its former self when it was THE destination for a number of girls’ team sports, including softball, field hockey and lacrosse, Longstreth Sporting Goods has been acquired by Roebling Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Cincinnati, OH.

Varsity Brands to Sell Herff Jones

We’re not quite sure how this impacts or what it means for its team sports business, but Varsity Brands, the parent of BSN Sports and Varsity Spirit, is reportedly selling its Herff Jones Graduation Business to Atlas Holdings.

Harry Kane Signs Lifetime Deal With Skechers

Expanding well beyond its traditional niche of lifestyle and performance sneakers, Skechers has reached overseas to sign soccer striker Harry Kane that makes him the spokesman for the brand’s first football boots (soccer shoes to those readers in America) launching in the UK and Europe in September.

FSG Garb Cheer Line Taking Off

A new cheer line from Garb Athletic is helping to make Founder Sport Group a significant player in the cheerleading space. The cheer line from FSG brand Garb Athletic, which is reportedly getting rave reviews from squads around the country, features...

Mitchell & Ness Increases College Roster

Mitchell & Ness, the maker of vintage and lifestyle sports apparel and now a part of the Fanatics Commerce business, has significantly expanded its partner and product portfolio across collegiate apparel.

Team Products Among SFIA Start-Up Challenge Finalists

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) has selected ten finalists to present their companies at the 2023 SFIA Start-Up Challenge, taking place virtually on October 10, 2023.

Sports, Inc. Leaving Las Vegas in 2024

After years at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Leaving Las Vegas unfortunately now can be the official movie of the Sports, Inc. buying group.

Obituary: MC Sports’ Mort Finkelstein, 93

Mort Finkelstein, an industry icon and head of Midwest sporting goods retailer MC Sports for many years, passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the age of 93.

NFHS Addresses the Hazing Issue

Even though the issue doesn’t directly impact team dealers, the message recently sent out from Dr. Karissa Niehoff, executive director of NFHS, regarding hazing issues at high schools across America certainly hits close to home.

NJCAA Adds 13 Schools for 2023-24

There are some new customers out there for team dealers next year as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is onboarding 13 new member colleges to join the association beginning this academic year.

NCAA Softball Rule Changes for 2024 Season

Use of a double first base, elimination of a bat requirement and use of electronic communication equipment were among the rule changes recently approved for all three divisions of NCAA softball for the 2024 season.

Nike, USA Gymnastics Partner

Expanding its reach into the gymnastics arena, Nike recently inked a deal to become the official apparel and footwear partner of USA Gymnastics and the USA Gymnastics National Team.

Schutt Parent Names Erspamer CEO

After an extensive search to continue growing its line of sporting goods brands, Certor Sports, the parent company of Schutt, Tucci and Vicis, has named Jeremy Erspamer as its new chief executive officer.

SFIA: Pickleball Sees Unprecedented Growth

Detailing the incredible growth of the sport of pickleball, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and Pickleheads recently released the 2023 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report...

Stats

The recently released Sports & Fitness Industry Association Single Sport and Fitness Report offers accurate data on sports participation. Here, we take a look at some baseball stats.

Dick’s Partners With Lotto in U.S.

In an interesting move that ties a global soccer brand to one retailer in the U.S., Dick’s Sporting Goods has signed on as the U.S. anchor retail partner for Lotto’s soccer and tennis products.

Avoli Debuts Female Volleyball Line

Avoli, a new, Portland, OR-based athletic brand focused on the performance needs of female volleyball players, recently launched its flagship product line, led by the $140 Avoli Low-Top Volleyball Shoe, as well as recovery slides, knee pads and sleeves.