ISSUE 1343 OCTOBER 28, The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry

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1 ISSUE 1343 OCTOBER 28, 2013 The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry

2 RUN WITH CONFIDENCE THIS WINTER 2013 Implus Corporation. Yaktrax is a registered trademark of Implus Corporation YAKTRAX

3 Group Publisher Editor In Chief James Hartford ISSUE 1343 OCTOBER 28, 2013 The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry Senior Business Editor Thomas J. Ryan Contributing Editors Aaron H. Bible, Fernando J. Delgado, Bill Kendy, Charlie Lunan, Matt Powell Editorial & Creative Director Teresa Hartford Senior Graphic Designer Camila Amortegui Advertising Sales Account Managers Buz Keenan Katie O'Donohue Circulation & Subscriptions SportsOneSource Publications Print Magazine: SGB, SGB Performance Digital Magazines: SGB Weekly, TEAM Business Digital Newsletters: The B.O.S.S. Report Sports Executive Weekly News Updates: SGB, Footwear Business, Outdoor Business, Sportsman s Business, TEAM Business SportsOneSource Research SportScanInfo, OIA VantagePoint, SOS Research 12 Photo courtesy Goalrilla MAKING NEWS 4 Under Armour Promotes Fulks and Stafford; Announces Addition of McCabe and LaRose 6 By The Numbers 6 Hibbett Sports Sets Transition Plan for Mickey Newsome 8 Store Openings 8 Adidas Creates New U.S. Model, Becker Exists Reebok 22 Industry Calendar Giving Back 10 Zeal Optics Partners with American Forests for Project 5480 Feature 12 Equipped For Success Football, Basketball and Soccer players will have no trouble finding the most advanced equipment at retail next year 2151 Hawkins St. Suite 200 Charlotte NC t f SportsOneSource.com COVER: Photo courtesy McDavid Copyright 2013 SportsOneSource, LLC. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors to SGB WEEKLY are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers. SGB WEEKLY is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Articles appearing in SGB WEEKLY may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher. SGB WEEKLY is published weekly by SportsOneSource, LLC, 2151 Hawkins Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203; Send address changes to SGB WEEKLY, 2151 Hawkins Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203; OCTOBER 28, 2013 SGBWeekly.com 3

4 PEOPLE MAKING NEWS I UNDER ARMOUR Under Armour Promotes Fulks AND Stafford; ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF Mccabe and larose Under Armour said Kip Fulks has added president of product to his current responsibilities as chief operating officer, while Henry Stafford is now serving as president of North America. Under Armour also announced the addition of Susie McCabe as SVP, global retail and Jason LaRose as SVP, global e-commerce. As Plank's first partner, Fulks was instrumental in building Under Armour's operations function. Throughout the years, Fulks expanded his role to include innovation and product. Under his Kip Fulks, COO and president of product, Under Armour leadership, Under Armour has introduced cuttingedge products including Armour39, SpeedForm and ColdGear Infrared. As COO and president of product, he will drive the integration of product development, design, technology and supply chain, while building on the brand's dedication to best-in-class service. During his tenure at Under Armour, Stafford has played a vital role in driving and implementing the launch of break-through innovations, including Charged Cotton, Charged Cotton Storm, UA Coldblack and Armour Bra. As president of North America, Stafford will build a merchandising team and capability for Under Armour North America in addition to his executive responsibility across e-commerce, retail, wholesale and retail marketing. "I am extremely proud to elevate two outstanding, established leaders within our organization, while also adding great new talent to our executive team," said Kevin Plank, CEO and Founder, Under Armour. "Henry Stafford has played an instrumental role in launching our industry's most innovative apparel platforms, and Kip has provided superior leadership in product development and operations since the brand's inception and continues to drive game changing technology." McCabe spent over 16 years with Ralph Lauren Corporation, including president factory store concepts, where she led the Henry Stafford, president North America, Under Armour strategic direction and operation of the brand's factory stores across the U.S. and Europe. In her new role, McCabe will be responsible for Under Armour's brand house and factory house stores across the U.S. and for the company's global retail strategy. LaRose joins Under Armour from Express, where he served as SVP of e-commerce. Prior to Express, LaRose was the VP of multichannel and international, online with Sears. As senior VP, global Susie McCabe, SVP global retail, Under Armour Jason LaRose, SVP global e-commerce, Under Armour e-commerce at Under Armour, LaRose will oversee the global standard for all online consumer experiences and will be responsible for driving web business and strategies to further connect with the brand's core consumer. 4 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 28, 2013

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6 NEWS BY THE NUMBERS +7% Amer Sports grew sales 7 percent in local currency terms and held margins in the quarter ended September 30, despite a shift in peak Winter Sport deliveries into the fourth quarter that caused it to burn through more cash. The company said its on track to meet its revenue and income targets for the year despite tough trading conditions % Under Armour, Inc. reported earnings rose 26.9 percent in its third quarter ended September 30, to $72.8 million, or 68 cents a share, exceeding Wall Street's consensus estimate of 66 cents. Revenues jumped 25.7 percent to $723.1 million, led by strong double-digit growth across categories. The company again raised its outlook for the year. +3.9% Cabela's, Inc. reported comparable store sales increased 3.9 percent. Net income in the third quarter increased 16.6 percent to $49.9 million, or 70 cents a share, compared to $42.8 million, or 60 cents, in the year ago quarter. Total revenue increased 14.8 percent to $850.8 million % Skechers USA, Inc. reported earnings jumped percent in its third quarter ended September 30, to $26.8 million, or 53 cents a share, compared to net earnings of $11.0 million, or 22 cents, a year ago. Revenues climbed 20.1 percent to $515.8 million compared to $429.4 million for the third quarter of % VF Corp.'s revenues rose 5 percent in its third quarter ended September 28 to $3.3 billion, led by Outdoor & Action Sports, Jeanswear, and its International and Direct-to-Consumer businesses. Global sales rose 16 percent at Vans, 3 percent at The North Face and 2 percent at Timberland. Net income on an adjusted basis grew 11 percent. Mickey Newsome, set to transition from his role as Executive Chairman to Non-Executive Chairman, Hibbett Sports, on February 2, 2014 Hibbett Sports Sets Transition Plan for Mickey Newsome Hibbett Sports, Inc. announced that effective February. 2, 2014, Mickey Newsome would transition from his current position as executive chairman and employee of the company to non-executive chairman. Jeff Rosenthal, president and CEO, was also appointed to its board of directors, effective immediately, increasing the board s size to 10 members. Joining as an outside salesman in 1964 when Hibbett had two stores, Newsome, 74, has since held numerous positions at Hibbett, including retail clerk, outside salesman to schools, store manager, district manager, regional manager and president. He served as president from 1981 through August 2004 and was named CEO in September 1999 and chairman in March He stepped down as CEO in March Hibbett Sports now has 894 stores. It has been my life s work and privilege to lead Hibbett Sports for the past 48 years as well as to bring many of the world s leading brands to the communities we serve, said Newsome. The end of this fiscal year is an appropriate time for me to transition from my day-to-day executive duties to my responsibilities as non-executive chairman. I m confident that the team, under Jeff s leadership, will continue to deliver the growth, customer service, associate development and strong shareholder returns that we have all come to expect from Hibbett. I m pleased that Jeff s many contributions have been recognized with his appointment to the Board. Al Yother, lead director of Hibbett Sports, added, On behalf of a grateful Board and over 7,500 associates, I d like to thank Mickey for his leadership, commitment and vision. As part of the company s ongoing succession planning, he has assembled what we believe is the best and most talented team in the sporting goods industry. From 13 stores in 1980 to over 890 today, he has led Hibbett Sports through a tremendous period of growth and exceptional standing within the vendor, landlord and investment communities. We are confident in the company s continued success under Jeff s leadership and I look forward to working with both of them on the board of directors. 6 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 28, 2013

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8 NEWS STORE OPENINGS Cabela s announced plans to open a store in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada in Spring 2014, as well as stores in Garner, NC and Sun Prairie, WI in Spring Bass Pro Shops will locate its fourth Canadian store in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Bass Pro also announced plans for a new store in the greater Cincinnati area. Photo courtesy Adidas Photo courtesy Reebok The Sports Authority opened its first store in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Under Armour opened an Experience store at the Jing An Kerry Centre in Shanghai, China, and also revealed plans to open the Brand House in McLean, Virginia s Tysons Corner Center. Field & Stream, the new hunt & fish concept from Dick s Sporting Goods, plans to open a store in Big Flats, NY, a small town west of Elmira. The location will represent the chain s third store in the U.S. Burton Snowboards announced the opening of two new East Coast partner stores. The first is in the D.C. metro area and the second is a pop-up Burton partner store in northern New Jersey. Both new stores were opened in partnership with local retailers. Adidas Creates New U.S. Model, Becker Exits Reebok To maximize the potential of both Adidas and Reebok, the Adidas Group is uniting both brands under one management team in North America to jointly operate them with immediate effect. Patrik Nilsson, currently president of Adidas North America, has been appointed president Adidas Group North America and will lead the newly united organization. Uli Becker, currently president of Reebok North America, has decided to leave to pursue new career and business opportunities. Reebok will continue to be based in Canton and the Adidas brand in Portland. Our goal is to strengthen our business, to invest in our brands and to enable faster growth for both brands by winning our key consumers the High School Kid for Adidas, the Fit Generation for Reebok and avid sports fans through our Sports Licensed Division," said Herbert Hainer, CEO of the Adidas Group, of the changes in North America. "With this new organizational structure, we ensure that both the Adidas and Reebok brands remain separate and distinctive while leveraging the Groups strengths. This new set up will make our Group stronger and grow our business faster in the U.S. Adidas said Nilsson, who will also assume global responsibility for Reebok-CCM Hockey, has a proven track record of success in the U.S., spearheading double-digit growth for the Adidas North America business. Nilsson was named president of Adidas North America in January 2007 and first started with Adidas in 1991 as head of sales and marketing at Adidas Sweden. Becker had been with Adidas Group in different capacities for 23 years. We would like to thank Uli for his leadership, expertise and the many contributions he has made to the success of the Adidas Group over the last 23 years in his various roles at Adidas and Reebok in marketing and sales. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors, commented Hainer. To ensure the brands remain focused on their respective objectives, Portland will remain the home of the Adidas brand in the U.S. and the Reebok brand will continue to be based in Canton. There are no changes to the Adidas Group locations in Indianapolis and Spartanburg. 8 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 28, 2013

9 THE INTERSECTION OF CAREER AND LIFESTYLE Reaching the most connected, best informed, and highest caliber professionals in the ACTIVE LIFESTYLE MARKET FREE ACCESS to the latest job listings Contact Jeremy Freed at or

10 GIVING BACK ZEAL Optics Partners with American Forests for Project 5480 ZEAL Optics is planting a forest. The company has partnered with historic non-profit conservationist group American Forests to plant 5,480 trees a number derived from the elevation of ZEAL s headquarters in Boulder, CO -- across the U.S. this year. With the newly founded corporate partnership being called Project 5480, ZEAL will promote the reforestation of outdoor areas as a part of their Grounded initiative. Project 5480 is a by-product of the ZEAL Grounded initiatives. We want to raise awareness of the beetlekill issue that is destroying our forest and backyard in Colorado. We will plant 5,480 trees annually as our commitment to reforestation and taking small but deep-rooted steps toward doing our part, said John Sanchez, President of ZEAL. We re very proud of our standard of practice and the entire strategy is to build innovation at the raw material level upwards. The commitment to sustainability and fair practices is built into the roots of ZEAL in an initiative we call Grounded. We believe in doing our part so that the images of the forests we put in our ads, catalogs and marketing materials are around for generations to come. Someday I want to walk our customers, friends and my family through these forests that we helped to grow. John Sanchez, President of ZEAL Founded in 1875, American Forests is the country s oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the U.S. In the last two decades they have planted more than 44 million trees. The group has served as a catalyst for many of the most important milestones in the conservation movement, including the founding of the U.S. Forest Service, the national forest and national park systems and literally thousands of forest ecosystem restoration projects and public education efforts. Our ZEAL consumers, employees, retail partners, athletes and sales reps will all be a physical part of the reforestation effort, because we want to be a hands on partner, said Sanchez. Their efforts to build awareness among customers of the need to protect our nations forests and to help restore forests through tree Photo courtesy Zeal Optics planting are a critically important contribution to achieving an ecologically sustainable future, said Lea Sloan, VP of communications, American Forests. Together we can ensure that future generations have healthy, beautiful forests to enjoy. ZEAL Optics has the only known sunglass line with all frames built from plant-based materials. Z-Resin is a plant-based resin made from castor bean oil instead of crude oil, creating a more eco-friendly product without sacrificing quality or performance. ZEAL also recently introduced the first plant-based lens, e-llume, as an addition to their eco-construction and initiatives. As a part of the company s global Grounded initiative, Z-resin is just one step ZEAL took toward sustainability. According to the company, every effort has been made to reduce waste in production and everyday operations and to encourage consumers to do the same. Incentivizing customers to replace broken parts instead of throwing the entire pair away through low-cost repair and replacement parts, ZEAL moderates waste and encourages material conservation. They also produce as much of their printed materials as possible on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. At their headquarters in Boulder, employees bike to work and are proud to have an office constructed utilizing beetle kill wood, sourcing resources from the surrounding community. The boutique brand is also known in the goggle market for the HD Camera Goggle and the original GPS goggle. What we want is to build sunglasses and ski goggles that enhance outdoor experiences, concluded Sanchez. That can't happen if we don't do our part to rebuild the playing field where these experiences take place. I use a tree as an illustration for our brand. As we grow, new branches form and our size above ground represents the company market growth but what people can't see is that our roots are growing at the same length. Our social and ecological responsibilities initiatives will keep us deep rooted, humble, and grounded. This is what will make us strong and keep us in the market as a very unique brand of optics. 10 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 28, 2013

11 2013 PULSE OF THE OUTDOOR CONSUMER STUDY A Market Insight Study from The SportsOneSource Group SOS Research takes an in-depth look at the key shopping behaviors, influences, and motivators for America s active outdoor consumer For more information, or to reserve your copy of the Pulse Of The Outdoor Consumer study, contact Neil Schwartz or SOSResearch@SportsOneSource.com OCTOBER 28, 2013 SGBWeekly.com 11

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13 Equipped for Success Football, Basketball and Soccer players will have the most advanced equipment at their disposal in SGB previews key protective gear, field equipment, balls and accessories that will be available at retail next year. By Fernando J. Delgado Head Start: 2014 Football Equipment The protective category in football has seen a noticeable shift upwards in average selling prices over the past decade, as awareness regarding concussions and serious head injuries has become an emphasis in the sport. Despite shrinking athletic budgets and a sluggish economy tightening spending of disposable income for families, business is still strong for sporting goods in general, and football protective equipment specifically. Quite simply, players and their parents are spending more to get the best protection to safeguard against serious injuries. This means big business and enticing profit margins for retailers and team dealers. It also provides an opportunity for sellers to provide quality customer service that makes a difference in the safety and health of the football players coming to them for help picking out equipment. One of the key trends we ve seen from a retail standpoint is that consumers whether it s parents or players are doing their research and are willing to spend more on protective equipment, stated Michael Oller, VP, consumer products at Riddell, Inc. They re asking questions, they re more educated, they want to know what features are out there that they could incorporate or purchase within their helmet. So that s a good thing for us as a manufacturer. An educated consumer is really what we re looking for as we move forward. We want to connect that consumer with our innovations as we come out with helmets. We saw that this year more than in years past. Helmets and shoulder pads are the two most vital equipment pieces for football players, and they also represent the highest price tags and margins for sellers. The balance between finding the right amount of protection with the best fit, performance and level of comfort is the challenge that all equipment manufacturers strive to find with their products. Next year will be another step forward, as leading brands, including Riddell, Schutt and Xenith offer the safest and best-performing helmets, shoulder pads, and protective accessories to date. As far as what players are looking for, they re more in tune with protection, said Moller. They want those features from a protective standpoint, but they also want comfort and fit. With rule changes in football, they want to make sure that their helmets are staying on, and they want to feel comfortable in those helmets. We [at Riddell] are fortunate enough to have products that appeal to those players, and we ve seen the success around that. According to Moller, Riddell s two most successful helmets are the Riddell 360 and the Riddell Speed. Both helmets are the highest level of protection that we offer, he stated. The player is getting a great protective helmet. In Riddell 360 According to Moller, Riddell will have five different youth helmet models for 2014 ranging in price from $100 up to $300 at retail, with each model designed specifically for different levels of play. Whether the player is a young beginner, or an experiaddition, both of those helmets have overliners, which consist of a material that lines the liners of the helmet, for comfort and fit. The 360 also has an additional inflation point at the back that locks in the player s head a little better, with the enhanced occipital lock, which is that little knob on the back of the player s head. It really cradles the back of the head and stabilizes the helmet, keeping the helmet secure so it can do its job. The improved fit of the 360 is especially important for youth league and high school players, as rule changes require players to be removed from play if their helmet falls off or becomes dislodged. The 360 helps players stay on the field, as its fit and stability ensures that their helmets don t fall off during play. Riddell Speed enced junior high player, we have a lot of different models that fit the particular needs of that player, he shared. At Schutt, technology is melded with striking colors and helmet designs. Schutt s Vengeance DCT Elite Helmet, set to retail at $255, is its newest helmet. The DCT, which stands for Dual Compression Technology, combines Schutt s 5th generation of TPU Cushioning. The TPU contains durometers that are specifically designed to absorb high- and low-velocity impacts, highlighting just a few of the many technological features of the helmet. Another new helmet from Schutt is the adult AiR XP Pro, one of the lightest helmets on the market, and the only traditional standoff helmet left on the market for a retail price of $225. Schutt OCTOBER 28, 2013 SGBWeekly.com 13

14 Schutt Vengeance DCT Elite Helmet Schutt AiR XP Pro 14 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 28, 2013 will also feature several youth models, including the Recruit Hybrid, $90, XP Hybrid, $90, Vengeance DCT Hybrid +, $115, and Youth AiR XP Pro, $190, among others. Everyone is always looking for lighter and stronger, said Glenn Beckmann, director of marketing communications for Schutt Sports. We re always looking into new polymers and new materials that we can make helmets and faceguards from. We just introduced a newly engineered polymer padding for some of our youth helmets called D3O. Everyone s looking for that balance between lightweight and the best protection. Beckmann also shared some interesting observations regarding other notable trends in the protective equipment category. One of the negative trends that we see are third-party products that are being promoted to be put on or in helmets, he said. I can t tell you how many times a week I get an from a company saying, We have the solution to the concussion problem. Put padding on the outside of the helmet. It s been tried in the past, and it s failed. There s been no scientific research or scientifically valid data that says that those items actually enhance the performance of the helmet. With the potential risks involved with altering our helmets configuration, we strongly recommend against using it. But there are still a lot of companies trying to take advantage of the situation involving head injuries and concussions. We don t want to discourage innovation, but what we want these third party product developers to do is make sure that they are telling their customers all of the potential consequences. Alteration to the configuration of a helmet may void the warranty on the helmet and can void the NOCSAE certification, for example. That would make the helmet illegal to use in the vast majority of organized football. Despite some of the drawbacks to companies trying to take shortcuts to solve the concussion issue, technology remains a force for progress that is helping football become safer. One trend that s auxiliary to equipment is the collection of data surrounding head impacts, commented Beckmann. Where the impact is occurring, how hard the impact is, how many impacts is a player at a particular age level experiencing during the course of a game, a week of practice or a season. I think that is a very beneficial trend, because ultimately that data will help everyone involved figure out how to design better helmets and how to approach diagnosing and recognizing head injuries a little bit better. Shoulder pads are another essential protective category for football players that require manufacturers to find the perfect balance between the best protection and the lightest, most comfortable performance capabilities. Riddell s shoulder pads for 2014 will be available in three distinct levels: Varsity, JV, and Youth. Varsity level shoulder pads are led by the Custom Power CPK and the Power SPK pads, which carry catalog-listing prices of $435 and $299, respectively. Our shoulder pad Riddell CPK line continues to grow, and it mirrors what we ve done with our helmets, shared Riddell s Moller. We re creating products that fit the needs of players. Our elite level shoulder pads - branded under Power are the ones you see at the NFL and college levels. We ve taken some notes and some leads off the Power shoulder pads and brought those features down to the youth and junior varsity levels. Things like flat pad construction, air management materials, and corrugated caps, epaulets, and arches. So when you get specific to shoulder pads, we have a broad, strong line that has pads that are the children of our Power line of varsity pads. That ties back to what the players are looking for they re looking for protection, but they re also looking for performance. Years ago, Riddell was established as a protective company. But over the past several years, and now more than ever, we re leaning towards performance and protection, and we ve adopted the tagline of Protect and Perform. The athlete is looking for both, and they re looking to Riddell for both. With their shoulder pads, Riddell has emphasized flat pad construction that keeps the pads tighter, and that also provides players with a better range of motion, all without sacrificing protection. Our shoulder pads have been modernized, and not only do they look cool, but players really enjoy wearing them because it gives them that ability to perform at a very high level, said Moller. Schutt s shoulder pads for 2014 are highlighted by the AiR Maxx Flex 2.0 and O2 Pro. The AiR Maxx Flexx 2.0, with a retail price of $300, features Triple Shoulder Protection, combining TPU, Energy Lock Technology with D3O and a clavicle channel system. This Schutt AiR Maxx Flex 2.0 Schutt O2 Pro state-of-the-art pad will be available in four arch styles -Skill, QB/WR, All Purpose and OL/DL as well as in several custom colors and configurations. The O2 Pro, priced at $240, is a new body style and lighter than the AiR Maxx Flex 2.0. The O2 Pro is the most breathable shoulder pad in Schutt s line as a result of O2 Windows and a perforated body cushion. Several protective accessories, such as padded apparel, braces, sleeves, and mouthguards will highlight 2014 lines from various leading brands, including Wilson, Under Armour, Adidas, Schutt and Riddell, and from companies more rooted in sports medicine and protective performance gear such as Shock Doctor, EvoShield, Pro-Tec and Cramer.

15 Under Armour Game Day Armour Girdle Under Armour Game Day Short Sleeve Baselayer Wilson s new introductions in protective apparel and accessories for 2014 focus heavily on technology. Its new line of GST (Game Saving Technology) Football Protective Apparel features patentpending Double Density compression molded pads that are designed for specific areas of the body. Wilson designed a hard EVA foam outer layer to disburse hits across the top of the pad, with a softer inner layer of the pad against the body to absorb the impact. The Wilson GST Double Density 5 Pad Football Girdle line is led by the GST Double Density 5 Pad Football Girdle, which will retail for $70. Wilson s GST line of football gloves feature patent-pending TackTech 3D Palm Technology and one of the most advanced designs in football gloves in more than a decade. The GST glove line includes three different models designed for specific player positions on the field: the GST Trench for OL and DL, which will retail for $45 and have 3D grabbers designed to grab and handle a players jersey; GST Big Skill for LB, TE and DE, which will retail $50 and are defined by a combo palm for both ball handling and tackling; and the GST Skill for WR, RB and DB, set to retail at $55 and specialized for ball handling. Wilson GST Trench Under Armour will introduce its thinnest and lightest protection system with the Game Day Armour Girdle and Game Day Short Sleeve Baselayer for men with a retail price of $75. Both pieces meet NFHS standards and feature compression in the form of an ultra-tight, second-skin fit that keeps football players muscles fresh and their recovery time fast. Accessories are a big part of our retail business, said Riddell s Moller. Chin straps are especially important, as they are tied directly with the helmet. In 2013, we rolled out a new chin strap called the TCP (True Curve Protection). It s really a hybrid of a soft cup chin strap and a hard cup chin strap. It has the fit of a soft cup, with the shell protection of a hard cup. This was also in response to the helmet rule changes, as players wanted the fit of a soft cup to keep the helmet secure. We look at it as an opportunity to create a new chin strap different than anything else on the market. If the helmet stays on the head, the player stays in the game, and the player stays protected. The TCP Chin Strap is allowing us to excel in that area. Moller also anticipates strong programs and sell-through of Riddell s padded apparel. Riddell s launch of padded apparel really resonated with the consumer. We ve seen the brand grow from just helmets and shoulder pads, and now we have accessories and apparel. We re expanding our reach at retail, and that s really exciting for us. Shock Doctor, meanwhile, seeks to remain a leader in sports protection and performance in 2014 by continuing to innovate through technology. The company will launch its Ultra Pro Chin Strap in Fall 2014 at a retail price of $25. The Ultra Pro is OCTOBER 28, 2013 SGBWeekly.com 15

16 Shock Doctor Ultra Pro Chin Strap designed for comfort and performance, is lightweight and extremely durable. The strap features Airflow cooling channels that release heat for a comfortable playing experience without sacrificing protection. Football players on every level and every age rely on chin straps to protect them from impacts from opponent's shoulder pads and helmets," said Tony Armand, Shock Doctor s CEO. With its Triple Grip No- Slip snaps, the Ultra Pro Chin Strap reduces the possibility that a helmet will come off during play after a hard hit, so players will perform better feeling confident in their level of helmet protection. McDavid will bring sleek new protective apparel to the market next year, led by the 7932 Hex Sleeveless Shirt / 5-pad and 737 Hex Thudd Short. The Hex Sleeveless Shirt / 5-pad will retail at $80 Adult/$70 Youth, McDavid Hex Sleeveless Shirt / 5-pad and uses strategically positioned 9mm Hex Technology to protect the critical areas of the shoulders, ribs and spine. The Hex Thudd Short, priced at $65 adult/$60 youth, also features Hex Technology and is designed to adjust to a football player s movement for continuous protection at the hips, tailbone and thighs. Zamst s main football protect for 2014 is the ZK-7 Knee Support. The ZK-7, with a retail price of $80, is the strongest knee support for moderate to severe sprains of the ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL. The item s Exo-Tech QUAD provides 4-way ligament support Zamst ZK-7 Knee Support McDavid 737 Hex Thudd Short with resin stays to support medial and lateral stability 16 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 28, 2013 as well as x-strap and parallel straps for effective anterior and posterior stability to the ACL/PCL. The ZK-7 s i-fit technology provides a semi-open design to deliver an individualized fit to help prevent slipping, while the flyweight lightweight material fabrication designed with V-Tech flow through ventilation enhances cooling while in motion. Cramer Product s Thunder 7 Girdle is a premium protective apparel piece, retailing for around $38, featuring permanently attached hip, tail, thigh and knee pads. The 7-pad integrated girdle also features hard thigh pads made from Cramer s new Spider Web EVA foam, and reinforced with high impact plastic shells for maximum Cramer Product s Thunder 7 Girdle protection. EvoShield s 2014 football protective line offers new items including its Padded Protective Arm Sleeve at $30 retail. Made with performance compression fabric for maximum breathability and support, the sleeve keeps blood circulating throughout the game and promotes faster muscle recovery. The Hybrid Pro Rib Shirt and Hybrid Pro Girdle, $90 and $85, respectively, are available in adult and youth sizes. EvoShield Hybrid Pro Rib Shirt EvoShield Hybrid Pro Girdle EvoShield Padded Protective Arm Sleeve

17 Both are designed to protect the ribs, legs and hips of NFL athletes, providing the combination of lightweight performance and maximum protection. All EvoShield football protective apparel will be available at big box and specialty sporting goods retailers and various online retailers. In the Balls Category, ever-improving materials will be found in footballs that will be available from several brands. Spalding will bring the TF-SB1 Football to market. With a retail price of $100, the TF-SB1 incorporates exclusive Spiral Balance Technology, which leads to tighter and more accurate passes. This ball utilizes a lighter color than most traditional footballs for improved visibility, while its Horween S tack leather cover creates an improved grip. Spalding TF-SB1 Football Wilson is excited to offer its GST Football in 2014, which will be available at leading big box retailers, team dealers and directly from the manufacturer. As far as footballs are concerned, our highlight item is still the GST (Game Saving Technology) football that is the number one selling leather game football, said Craig Kopash, business director, American football, Wilson. The GST offers our exclusive GST leather that uses less tanning to allow more tack to come to the surface and a deeper pebble. The GST also offers the patented ACL (Accurate Control Lacing) and patented sewn-on composite stripes. During 2012, Wilson tested with eight select FBS level colleges a Wilson Prestige Program that allowed the schools to build their ball from the ground up. You may have seen these footballs used on the field by Notre Dame as they made their National Championship run or by Texas A&M and their quarterback s award-filled year, commented Kopash. This year we expanded the program to 20 schools and for 2014 it will be open to all college programs. He added that those testing colleges were able to select from two different patterns, the exclusive Wilson Pro Pattern or the Collegiate/High School pattern. Wilson also opened up the color options on all brand identities on the GST for the first time, and allowed schools up to three colors to match the brand logo and valve panels to their school colors. Teams can also choose their own logo in foil colors on the third panel. The GST football features sizing that is unique and exclusive to the brand. Wilson is the only company that offers two sizes in the GST and Traditional lines that conform to NCAA and NHFS standards, continued Kopash. We offer not only the smaller 1003/1005/1205 pattern balls that are made to the smallest specs of the NCAA and NHFS rules, but Wilson is also the only company that can offer the NFL pattern ball in a stripped NCAA/HS ball and This is especially important for quarterbacks with larger hands or players looking to transition to the NFL. The GST football s patented sewn-on composite stripe boasts 82 percent more grip than traditional laces, while its ACL system makes the ball s laces 174 more gripable than traditional laces or the latigo lace system used in NFL game footballs. Wilson s Standard GST Football will retail at $70, while the Prestige GST will sell for $130. Wilson Prestige GST Achieve Your Goals Breadth of Data. Depth of Data. Timeliness of Data As the broadest, deepest and most timely data available for the U.S. Sports and Outdoor Active Lifestyle Market, SportScanInfo is the weekly retail point-ofsale data reporting solution. To learn more about how we can help your business, call or sportscan@sportsonesource.com. SportScanInfo.com A Service of The SportsOneSource Group OCTOBER 28, 2013 SGBWeekly.com 17

18 Hooping It Up: 2014 Basketball Equipment When it comes to protective equipment, basketball players playing on the hardwood are the polar opposite of football players on the gridiron. Whereas football players are armed to the teeth with protective gear, basketball players wear a minimal amount of gear less over and under their uniforms. Chris Barry, a sales associate at The Sports Authority in Nottingham, MD, interacts with athletes on the sales floor year-round and shared his observations. The primary basketball equipment that people come in for, aside from shoes, are knee braces and balls, said Barry. We do have some sleeves; most of the sleeves that we have are from McDavid, and they have padding on the elbows. Those are actually huge sellers. The sleeve category has taken off in recent years for basketball players, representing a trend started by NBA players. I think they sell well because most of the kids playing basketball are going for what looks good, stated Barry. They re not going for protection with sleeves, to be honest. They want what looks good, and what is in. What really helps sleeves, especially those from McDavid, is that they give players support in their arms, and they help blood flow, especially with compression. And if they do fall on the court, the padding helps prevent bruises and the player won t be hurt as badly. McDavid s newest sleeve for 2014 is the McDavid 6500 Hex Shooter Arm Sleeve Shock Doctor Velocity Shockskin Basketball Arm Sleeve 6500 Hex Shooter Arm Sleeve. Set to retail at $20 and available in four colors, the Hex Shooter utilizes 9mm Hex Technology positioned at the elbow and arm compression that maintains muscle warmth and prevents abrasions and scratches. The machine washable and dryable sleeve includes hdc Moisture Management Technology to keep basketball players cool and dry. Shock Doctor s leading sleeve will be the Velocity Shockskin Basketball Arm Sleeve. Retailing at $30, the Velocity Shockskin sleeve is lightweight and breathable. Technological features include Pure-Vent direct ventilation that amplifies airflow throughout padded areas, in addition to variable stretch materials that allow for unrestricted arm and elbow movement. Honestly, I think that kids seeing NBA players wearing sleeves is the biggest reason for sleeves selling well, continued Barry. The bottom line is that they look good. Players might say that sleeves help them out shooting the ball, and compression sleeves do help with blood flow, but college and NBA players who wear sleeves today influence a majority of kids. They re trying to look good. Mouthguards are a popular protective accessory with basketball players, who are always cognizant of protecting themselves against inadvertent flailing elbows. Shock Doctor, with the Nano Double Mouthguard, usually sells well for us, and we expect them to lead the way in 2014, observed Barry. Shock Doctor s basketball mouthguards for 2014 are highlighted by the Basketball STC Mouthguard, in addition to the Nano Double Mouthguard called out by The Sports Authority s Barry. The Basketball STC retails for $20 and is fully equipped with a gel-fit liner for a snug, comfortable mold to an athlete s teeth. The Nano Double, priced at $25, is a dual-arch, low profile mouthguard designed to amplify upper and lower jaw protection. It is also equipped with Shock Doctor s Tri-Bite and MORA technology for a comfortable, correctly positioned bite. 18 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 28, 2013

19 Shock Doctor Basketball STC Mouthguard Pro-Tec will be helping basketball players protect their legs and feet with two new products, among several other protective items offered by the Redmond, WA-based sports medicine manufacturer. Pro-Tec s Gel Force Knee Support is a great sports medicine piece for basketball players as well as athletes in any Pro-Tec Gel Force Knee Support other sport - recovering from knee injuries or looking for extra support and protection The Gel Force Knee Support retails for $30. Medical applications for the support include Patello-Femoral pain syndrome, Patellar tracking, chondromalacia, and minor meniscus and ligament tears. The company s Gel Force Ankle Support is essential for players suffering from ankle sprains, basketball s most widespread injury. The Gel Force Ankle Support is made with breathable material, fits like a sock, and provides compression and medial and lateral support, said Jennie Habersetzer, marketing and sales at Pro-Tec Athletics. It s common for basketball players to wear, and it fits nicely in a basketball shoe. Pro-Tec items can be found at specialty running and sporting goods stores. Cramer Products Performance Shorts are ideal for basketball players to wear under their uniform or practice shorts to improve their game. Retailing at $60, the shorts consist of high stretch panels that provide compression and support to core muscle groups during intense Cramer Products Performance Shorts Shock Doctor Nano Double Mouthguard Pro-Tec Gel Force Ankle Support activity. In addition, abdominal support panels also provide compression to core muscle groups, while the seamless side panel construction offers comfort. When it comes to basketballs, a few notable models are expected to be hot for There are a couple basketballs that we expect to sell well in 2014, said Barry. The Spalding TF1000 Spalding TF1000 Classic Adult Basketball Classic Adult Basketball comes to mind first. I ve probably had three or four high school coaches come in and buy six or seven balls. It has a microfiber composite so the leather s going to be better, the ball is longer lasting, and the bladder is better because it holds more air. The bounce is supposed to be great with that particular ball. Aside from Spalding, Wilson, Adidas, and Nike, Barry singled out Under Armour as a brand rapidly gaining market share and popularity in the basketball category. Under Armour is going to be one of the biggest companies soon, especially in basketball and football. Everything that they re doing now is tremendous, he explained. Nike s going to outpace Under Armour in shoes, but when it comes to apparel, balls, and some equipment, Under Armour is going to be up there. The Under Armour 495 Indoor/ Outdoor Basketball, which retails for $30 and can be found at all major big box retailers, is expected to be a big seller in Barry added that Under Armour s rapid rise can be attributed to effective marketing, persistent brand-building, and desirable products that resonate with consumers. According to Barry, price points for basketballs have stayed fairly consistent in the mid- and mid-to-upper range over the past few years. The Spalding TF1000 is going to be about $70. But then you also the Spalding NeverFlat Ball, which is also a great ball and stays inflated about 10 times longer than any other ball, retailing for $55, he said. I would say any ball from around $40 to about $80 would be considered the mid-to-upper end price Under Armour 495 Indoor/ Outdoor Basketball Spalding NeverFlat Ball point range. That s compared to the official NBA leather basketball, which sells for $150. That ball would be the high end. In the field equipment category, players can turn to training hoops to improve their shooting. Goalrilla, a leader in sports training equipment, will have the CV 60 Basketball System available at Dick s Sporting Goods and specialty retailers nationwide. With a retail price of about $1400, the CV 60 is capable of handling over 1000 pounds of vertical torque to the rim. It is constructed with a one-piece steel pole for strength, as well as an all-steel, precise height adjustment, from 7 ½ feet to 10 feet. Goalrilla CV 60 Basketball System OCTOBER 28, 2013 SGBWeekly.com 19

20 Just for Kicks: 2013 Soccer Equipment Soccer players will also benefit from increasingly advanced equipment, whether in the form of shin guards, balls, soccer goals, or protective accessories. Unlike hardgoods in other sports, shin guards remain a more functional necessity that depends less on technological features than other higher-priced protective pieces. Depending on the player s age and what level they re playing in, shin guards can help tremendously, shared The Sports Authority s Barry. If you re from age 15 to about 20, playing club ball or high school, you re not going to need anything too protective, unless you injured your ankle or you really want to protect yourself. Most of the time, soccer players just put on something simple that covers a little of the shin, and they run. Kids in Europe use cardboard and put that on their shins and go running. Barry observed that one shin guard in particular that a lot of people have been buying for kids ages 10 and below is the Nike Youth Charge Shin Guards, which retails for about $15. Most people are loyal to brands, whether they like Nike or they like Adidas, he stated. But if somebody appreciates the sport as much as the avid players do, they will go for what s best for them. I m a serious player, and I used to love Adidas shoes. But since I ve gotten older, I ve switched over to Nike, and I also switched to Umbro cleats when I was 14. Every brand fits a little differently. Nike cleats and shin guards fit Adidas Nitrocharge Pro Shin Guards more narrowly on the foot and leg, where compared to Adidas, which have a more natural fit. Adidas shin guards will provide more coverage than Nike shin guards, and they will cover a majority of the leg, instead of just the shin. Oftentimes, shin guard purchases are made with affordability in mind, especially for younger players. It s not until players get older and more serious that shin guard purchases and preferences may get more specialized, but even then, most soccer players see shin guards as a basic necessity, and not an item that they expect performance or technologically advanced protection from. I m also a coach, and with most of the kids that I know, their parents will buy them the cheapest shin guards and the cheapest cleats, and they just go out and play, said Barry. Even players who play club and travel soccer, they re usually going for something that covers most of the shin, that they can fit easily under their socks, and get cleared by the referees so that they can play. The men's Adidas Nitrocharge Pro Shin Guards, with a retail price of $20, should be a big seller for next year. Designed with a light and flexible shield, these shin guards feature an easy slip-in construction and compression fabric that helps support blood flow. A compression sleeve supports blood flow back to the body center, while soft synthetic lining makes these guards comfortable. Wilson s NCAA Forte Shin Guard, retailing for $25, will be a key new shin guard for This NCAA-branded guard has a comfort fit Lycra sleeve with power band Wilson s NCAA Forte Shin Guard enhancements for added compression and muscle circulation with a removable inner shell. NOCSAE approved, the NCAA Forte is available in 3 sizes dictated by player height. Franklin Sports will offer a high performing, affordable shin guard with its MLS Premier Shin Guards. Priced at $20, the MLS Premiers feature an air tube enhanced shell that increases abrasion resistance and impact resistance. Its adjustable straps conform to leg size while poly backing enhances comfort and feel, and a detachable ankle pad with comfort stirrup ensures a proper and customized fit. Storelli Sports is an emerging manufacturer that will be offering premium soccer equipment in Based in Brooklyn, NY, Storelli Sports is the first and only brand dedicated to Storelli Sports ExoShield Headguard soccer protectivewear. Storelli s signature item is the ExoShield Headguard, a potentially groundbreaking guard that helps protect against impacts to the head. Set to retail at online specialty retailers for about $60, the ExoShield is the most protective soccer headguard on the market, worn by world-class professional players in English Premier League and Champions League. It has outperformed traditional headguards in scientific protection testing and reduces the effect of G-forces by over 50 percent, with a cool design that avoids the traditional helmet look. The ExoShield incorporates the same lightweight 20 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 28, 2013

21 open-cell viscoelastic foam used in combat-grade military helmet liners, and is constructed specifically for soccer with best-in-class materials to provide superior impact absorption, temperature control, breathability and comfort. Storelli will also have its BodyShield Leg Guards as a feature item for next year. With a $40 price tag, the BodyShield Leg Guards feature high-performance Poron XRD polyurethane foam for maximum protection from impact and abrasion. It also includes advanced anti-microbial treatment, which reduces the risk of infections. These guards are also flexible and comfortable, as its unique padding design and placement enhances mobility without compromising protection. Zamst will be helping soccer players reinforce, protect and recover better than ever with their support technology. One of Zamst s key items in soccer is the TS-1 Compression Thigh Support, which will Storelli Sports BodyShield Leg Guards Zamst TS-1 Compression Thigh Support retail at $50. The TS-1 provides compressive muscular support for the thigh muscles the quadriceps, adductors and hamstrings. It s i-fit technology allows for easy application and adjustable twoway compression for enhanced comfort and concentrated muscle support, and the support s anatomical design ensures a customized fit, superior support and excellent heat retention. Pro-Tec will offer several premium sports medicine items for soccer players dealing with injuries and pain. Pro- Tec s Ankle Wrap, about $19, has a form-fitting neoprene sleeve for compression, making it an excellent treatment for ankle sprains. White straps can be wrapped around as tightly as necessary for additional support. The Knee Pro-Tec Patellar Tendon Strap, which can be used for any sport and is priced at $17, is especially useful for soccer players. It provides targeted compression to the base of the patellar tendon to stabilize the knee so the joint can track correctly. The strap is most often used for pain centrally located around the patella or kneecap, an especially for patellar tendonitis and Osgood-Schlatters disease. For field equipment, Goalrilla will have goals and training systems to help soccer players hone their shooting Pro-Tec Patellar Tendon Strap Pro-Tec Ankle Wrap skills. Brand new is the Goalrilla Gamemaker Soccer Goal line, an innovative line of air-pressurized, durable and transportable soccer goals. The Gamemaker gives soccer players the ability to pump up a sturdy goal, which reaches its full size in 90 seconds, and replicates the authentic play of a traditional steel goal. Depending on the goal size, the retail price ranges from $180 to $700. Goalrilla s Striker Trainer, $350, is a double-sided soccer Goalrilla Gamemaker Soccer Goal goal for strengthening essential soccer skills, as well as shooting and scoring potential for players of all ages. Both the Gamemaker and Striker Trainer will be available at soccer specialty retailers, on-line at Goalrilla.com and at other sporting goods stores. Several cool soccer balls will be available for I personally like the Wembley Ball from Adidas, shared Barry. Nike will have the Incyte, which includes the La Liga and Series A versions, and those will be some of the biggest sellers, because kids love playing with the balls used by the pros. The NCAA Forte FYbrid Premium Match Ball from Wilson is another key soccer ball for Retailing at $120, the NCAA Forte FYbrid is the official ball of the NCAA Soccer Championships. Both NCAA and FIFA approved and available in four colors, it boasts Fused Panel Technology, which minimizes water and moisture intake, making it both Wilson NCAA Forte FYbrid Premium Match Ball Adidas Finale Lisbon OMB Ball Goalrilla Striker Trainer highperforming and durable in all kinds of game conditions. Adidas will be rolling out the Finale Lisbon OMB Ball at retail for $150. Rigorously tested to receive the highest FIFA rating, the Finale Lisbon OMB is the official match ball for the UEFA 2014 Champions League tournament. Technology is a point of emphasis with this ball, as it is thermally bonded with a seamless surface for superior touch and low water uptake. It also has a butyl bladder for best air retention. Once again, the trend of young players drawing inspiration from their favorite professional players has led to big demand for pro-style equipment. Kids want to look like they re playing with a professional ball, said The Sports Authority s Barry. OCTOBER 28, 2013 SGBWeekly.com 21

22 CALENDAR For full year calendar go to sportsonesource.com/events OCTOBER Sport Source Asia Hong Kong 29-1 NASGW Expo Grapevine, TX NOVEMBER 1-3 NBS Fall Athletic Market Austin, TX 5-7 TAG Fall/Winter Show St. Louis, MO A.D.A. Fall Show San Antonio, TX Sports Inc. Athletic Show Las Vegas, NV DECEMBER WWSRA NorCal Early Preview Reno, NV SHOT Show Las Vegas, NV NBS Winter-Specialty Market Fort Worth, TX Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show Las Vegas, NV Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS) Long Beach, CA 21 ORWM Demo Day TBA Outdoor Retailer Winter Market Salt Lake City, UT 30-2 SIA Snow Show Denver, CO TRADE ASSOCIATIONS BUYING GROUPS Athletic Dealers of America 1395 Highland Avenue Melbourne, FL t f athleticdealersofamerica.com National Shooting Sports Foundation Flintlock Ridge Office Center 11 Mile Hill Road Newtown, CT t f nssf.org National Sporting Goods Association 1601 Feehanville Drive / Suite 300 Mount Prospect, IL t f nsga.org Nation s Best Sports 4216 Hahn Blvd. Ft. Worth, TX t f nbs.com 2-4 EORA SE Winter Market Asheville, NC 3-4 WWSRA NW Early Preview Seattle, WA 3-5 MRA December Market Lansing, MI 4-6 FFANY New York, NY EORA FLA Winter Market Punta Gorda, FL WWSRA NorCal Early Preview TBA Atlanta Shoe Market Atlanta, GA JANUARY 6-8 ATA Show Nashville, TN FEBRUARY 3-4 SIA On-Snow Demo Copper Mountain, CO 3-4 SIA Nordic Demo Copper Mountain, CO 5-7 FFANy New York, NY 5-8 Sports Inc. Outdoor Show Phoenix, AZ 6-10 NBS Semi-Annual Market Fort Worth, TX 9-11 EORA SE February Show Greenville, SC Worldwide Spring Show Reno, NV MWSRA February Show Madison, WI Outdoor Industry Association 4909 Pearl East Circle / Suite 300 Boulder, CO t f outdoorindustry.org Sports & Fitness Industry Association 8505 Fenton St., Suite 211 Silver Spring, MD t f sfia.org Snow Sports Industries America 8377-B Greensboro Drive McLean, VA t f snowsports.org Sports, Inc nd Avenue North Lewistown, MT t f sportsinc.com 7-9 MWSRA January Show Madison, WI 7-9 WWSRA Rocky Mtn Preview Denver, CO 7-9 WWSRA Northwest Preview Portland, OR 9-11 Surf Expo Orlando, FL WWSRA Intermountain Preview Salt Lake City, UT MWSRA New Model Demo Hastings, MN MARCH Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS) Atlantic City, NJ APRIL 4-6 Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS) Orlando, FL Sports Specialists Ltd. 590 Fishers Station Drive / Suite 110 Victor, NY t f sportsspecialistsltd.com Team Athletic Goods 629 Cepi Drive Chesterfield, MO t f tag1.com Worldwide 8211 South 194th Kent, WA t f wdi-wdi.com 22 SGBWeekly.com OCTOBER 7, 28, 2013

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24 Winter Market JANUARY 22-25, 2014 All Mountain Demo JANUARY 21, 2014 MARK YOUR CALENDARS Summer Market AUGUST 6-9, 2014 Open Air Demo AUGUST 5, 2014