(October 1, 2024) – Mizuno USA’s Running Division is excited to announce strategic changes to its sales management structure in response to impressive double-digit growth within the running specialty channel. This growth has exceeded expectations, and projections for the upcoming SS’25 and AW’25 seasons are even more promising.
To better accommodate this accelerated growth, Mizuno Running is restructuring its sales management team. The team will now include three regional managers: Casey Barrett will oversee the newly established North region, Greg Udzielak will continue his leadership in the West region, and Matt Baum will manage the new South region. Additionally, Matt will maintain his role as Account Executive for the crucial Fleet Feet Sports partnership.
Mizuno Running places a high priority on building authentic relationships with retailers. This new structure will enhance regional management interactions, enabling the team to identify innovative ways to better serve the specialty market.
These changes, effective 10/1/24, underscore Mizuno’s commitment to the running specialty channel and its dedication to fostering strong partnerships within the industry.
ABOUT MIZUNO USA: Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the world’s largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, volleyball, swimming, and tennis equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Peachtree Corners, GA
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(August 12, 2024) RaiseRight, the leading gift card fundraising platform in the US, has partnered with FlipGive to expand its digital fundraising solutions to include online shopping. This partnership will help both companies further their mission to simplify fundraising by turning everyday shopping into earnings and donations.
RaiseRight is leveraging FlipGive’s white-label shopping rewards platform to give organizations a new way to earn, demonstrating their commitment to innovative digital fundraising solutions. Now, RaiseRight users can easily raise money for their favorite organizations by shopping online with 450 new brands using the RaiseRight website, mobile app, and the newly launched RaiseRight Earnings Extension.
“We are excited to enhance our users’ ability to fundraise by shopping online,” says Lou Agnese, CEO of RaiseRight. “Our collaboration with FlipGive significantly expands our brand portfolio, empowering our users to fundraise even more with a new way to earn. This partnership affirms our mission to be the most convenient and effective fundraising solution for schools, athletic programs, nonprofits, and community organizations across the US.”
“We’re thrilled to work with RaiseRight to supercharge organizations’ fundraising through online shopping,” says Amy Halpenny, CEO of FlipGive. “The FlipGive Rewards platform helps our partners turn everyday shopping into cashback earnings by seamlessly embedding shopping into their existing mobile app and website, along with extensions that allow users to earn wherever they shop online.”
About FlipGive
FlipGive (flipgive.com) is an easy-to-use cashback app where everyone wins. Teams raise funds without fundraising and brands earn new shopper loyalty by giving back where it matters. FlipGive has given back over $50M by helping families across North America turn everyday shopping into effortless fundraising so kids can play more and spend less on the sports they love. FlipGive Rewards, a white-label shopping rewards and cashback platform, gives companies an easy way to turn everyday shopping into cashback donations that give back to their users. Launched in 2016, FlipGive is a Certified B Corporation and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
For more information on FlipGive’s white-label rewards platform, please visit www.flipgive.com/for-business.
About RaiseRight
RaiseRight (raiseright.com) empowers families to fundraise for their local communities conveniently and effectively through everyday shopping. Since 1994, RaiseRight has helped over 50,000 nonprofit organizations raise more than $900 million for initiatives and causes that matter to them. Users can shop online or purchase gift cards for everyday spending to offset expenses such as school tuition, athletic equipment, band trips, church operations, and more. Fundraising through everyday spending disrupts the traditional methods of selling goods, organizing events, or asking for donations. RaiseRight is simply the right way to fundraise.
For more information on RaiseRight’s new online shopping fundraising solution, please visit www.raiseright.com/how-it-works/shop-online.
Durham, N.C. – (July 15, 2024) – Sport-Brella, the leading brand of high-quality outdoor shelter solutions, is launching a new unique sun shelter, the Sol-Breeze. The Sol-Breeze features a stretchable canopy that attaches to vertical poles, allowing families and groups to adjust their level of shade while spending the day at the beach.
Michael Polk, Chief Executive Officer of Implus, said, “The Sport-Brella Sol-Breeze is for beachgoers who want to enjoy their day on the shore taking in the scenery while staying protected from the sun. Its innovative design provides families and friend groups with exceptional all-day solar protection while allowing them to enjoy full 360-degree views of the beach.”
The Sol-Breeze is an open-walled shelter that allows for unrestricted airflow and visibility so beach enthusiasts can enjoy the sand, surf and cool breezes of the shoreline while staying protected from the sun overhead. The shade is designed to float in the breeze, and it comes with corner pockets that can be filled with sand to keep it anchored throughout the day. When not in use, the Sol-Breeze is compact and lightweight, making for effortless transportation from home or car to the beach.
The Sol-Breeze is easy to set up and provides UPF 50+ protection, the highest sun protective rating achievable for fabrics. It is available in two sizes and can be purchased on Amazon:
- 7 FT x 7 FT: $99.99
- 10 FT x 10 FT: $129.99
About Sport-Brella: Born amidst the radiant sunshine of Southern California, Sport-Brella is dedicated to bringing friends, families, and teams together in outside spaces, all while keeping everyone comfortably sheltered from the sun. We protect venturesome groups from the elements with shelters that rapidly deploy and intuitively pack up so you can stay mobile as you transition from one activity to the next. Learn more at www.sportbrella.com.
About Implus: Implus is home to 18 brands in the footwear accessories, hosiery, specialty running, outdoor, fitness and movement categories. As an industry leader in active accessories, Implus is committed to enabling people to live active, healthy, and fulfilled lives, providing innovative products to more than 80,000 retail outlets worldwide. Distributing across more than 70 countries, Implus is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with five international offices. Key brands within Implus’ portfolio include Balega®, SKLZ®, Yaktrax®, TriggerPoint™, Sof Sole®, RockTape® and Spenco®. To learn more about Michael Polk and Implus leadership, please visit www.implus.com/leadership/. To learn more about Implus, please visit www.implus.com.
Media Contact
Rachel Rose
205-937-3668
[email protected]
(June 24, 2024) The following standards in several categories were modified and/or revised during the winter 2024 National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) Standards Committee meeting. Please use the links provided below to review the modifications if your products are governed by any of these standards.
Category: Football
Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Football Helmets
Category: Lacrosse
Standard Performance Specification For Newly Manufactured Lacrosse Face Protectors
(May 22, 2024) The following standards in several categories were modified and/or revised during the winter 2024 National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) Standards Committee meeting. Please use the links provided below to review the modifications if your products are governed by any of these standards.
Category: Football
Standard Performance Specification for Recertified Football Helmets
Standard Method of Impact Test and Performance Requirements for Football Faceguards
Category: Soccer
Standard Test Method and Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Soccer Shin Guards
Category: Lacrosse
Standard Performance Specification for Recertified Lacrosse Helmets
Category: General
Standard Test Method and Equipment Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Headgear/Equipment
(May 13, 2024) The SFIA Senior Bat Committee, NTS (the official certification lab of SSUSA) and Senior Softball USA (SSUSA) have been working together on a joint project to establish an on-field testing limit similar to testing USSSA and SFIA established several years ago. The result for Senior Softball is a 140-pound initial compression minimum for on-field testing.
“This standard will help us keep the senior softball playing field fair for our players and teams,” said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are especially grateful to Tim Lord, Co-Chair of the Baseball/Softball (BB/SB) Council, for gathering the senior bat manufacturers for essential input that helps us ensure a solid standard.”
“Appreciate Terry and SSUSA working with the SFIA Baseball/Softball Council to establish this new 140lb on-field testing for senior softball player and the 1.21 BPF standard,” states Tim Lord, Co-Chair of the Baseball/Softball Council. “This 140lb limit can be used by SSUSA in senior softball similar to the current 240lb on-field standard that USSSA also worked with the SFIA BB/SB Council several years ago to establish in slowpitch softball for their 1.20 BPF standard.”
(May 6, 2024) Stack Sports, a premier provider of sports management software for youth, has unveiled Stack Rewards, a rewards initiative designed to offer substantial financial relief to families involved in youth sports across the United States and North America. The program enables families to earn cashback from routine shopping and benefit from exclusive deals and offers, which can contribute towards sports expenses, potentially saving up to $100 million each year.
Amid the current economic strain characterized by rising costs of everyday items, the financial challenge of enrolling children in youth sports is significant. In response, Stack Sports created Stack Rewards to help lessen these financial pressures and provide economic relief to sports families
This year, over 10 million families within the Stack Sports network will be eligible to participate in Stack Rewards. The program offers cashback on purchases made at major retailers like Walmart, Nike, Old Navy, and Target. Given that the average family spends around $9,000 annually on groceries, utilizing Stack Rewards could yield over $180 in cashback, which families can use towards sports gear, travel, or registration fees at local clubs. This is one among several benefits that the program extends to families based on their existing spending habits.
The cashback shopping platform for Stack Rewards will be enhanced by a collaboration with FlipGive, along with additional rewards that families can accrue by using various Stack Sports software products.
Amy Halpenny, CEO of FlipGive, highlighted the financial challenges of youth sports, exacerbated by severe inflation. She noted that “44% of parents struggle to finance their children’s sports activities.” She expressed pride in providing Stack Sports with an embedded rewards solution that empowers families to earn cashback effortlessly, thereby making sports more accessible.
The launch of Stack Rewards reaffirms Stack Sports’ dedication to promoting youth sports and building a supportive, inclusive sports community. By offering significant savings through Stack Rewards, Stack Sports seeks to eliminate financial obstacles and ensure that every child can enjoy the benefits of participating in sports.
Brandon Shangraw, SVP of Marketing and Innovation at Stack Sports, expressed excitement about the launch: “We are thrilled to introduce Stack Rewards to help reduce the cost of youth sports and support our mission to increase participation and enhance the sports experience. With the scale of our operations and our strategic partnerships, Stack Rewards is poised to offer over $100 million in annual savings to families, thereby enabling more children to engage in sports and achieve their athletic aspirations.”
Durham, N.C. – (April 22, 2024) – SKLZ, the global leader in sports-specific training products, is launching an exciting new wearable tech product that measures speed, agility, and vertical jump, SKLZ Hyper Speed. The SKLZ Hyper Speed combines a sleek wearable tech band and user-friendly mobile app to accurately measure speed, agility, and vertical jump so that athletes can create their own combine in their backyard or on the practice field.
Michael Polk, Chief Executive Officer of Implus, said, “The SKLZ Hyper Speed is a game-changer for youth athletes looking for a precise and reliable device to measure their speed, agility, and vertical jump. This product is a precision tool that replaces the need for expensive timing gate systems and inaccurate stopwatches, and it provides instant feedback to easily track performance gains on SKLZ proprietary app.”
The Hyper Speed is easy to use for athletes who want to monitor and level up their performance. Users simply set up their phone in the included tripod, strap on the wristband sensor and begin training. The app features instructional video drills to help guide and challenge athletes with different workouts. After each session, users check the app to view immediate results. It tracks and graphs speed or jump results after every drill to provide a comprehensive review of progress over time.
Athletes can use the Hyper Speed with a range of additional SKLZ products to diversify their workouts or focus on refining a particular skill with various training tools.
The Hyper Speed is available now for $199.99 on SKLZ.com, Amazon and at select Dick’s Sporting Goods House of Sport stores.
About SKLZ: SKLZ is the leading provider of performance training products and programs for athletes of all levels. SKLZ products are designed to sync the body to the brain, helping athletes to be stronger, smarter, and faster. With tools available for every sport and skill, like training nets, agility ladders, resistance bands, and more, SKLZ empowers athletes to never settle for yesterday’s best. Learn more at www.sklz.com.
About Implus: Implus is home to 18 brands in the footwear accessories, hosiery, specialty running, outdoor, fitness and movement categories. As an industry leader in active accessories, Implus is committed to enabling people to live active, healthy, and fulfilled lives, providing innovative products to more than 80,000 retail outlets worldwide. Distributing across more than 70 countries, Implus is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with five international offices. Key brands within Implus’ portfolio include Balega®, SKLZ®, Yaktrax®, TriggerPoint™, Sof Sole®, RockTape® and Spenco®. To learn more about Michael Polk and Implus leadership, please visit www.implus.com/leadership/. To learn more about Implus, please visit www.implus.com.
Media Contact
Rachel Rose
205-937-3668
[email protected]
PHOENIX, AZ, USA, April 16, 2024 – USA Pickleball, the National Governing Body for pickleball in the U.S., today announced an exciting new partnership with Pickleheads, the industry’s leading platform for pickleball court and schedule information. The collaboration will enhance player access to comprehensive and up-to-date data on pickleball courts nationwide.
“USA Pickleball strongly believes in the importance of providing players ready access to reliable court and schedule information—it is essential to welcoming new players onto the courts, helping existing players get more out of their pickleball journey, and growing the sport as a whole,” said Mike Nealy, USA Pickleball Chief Executive Officer. “Our partnership with Pickleheads allows us to fulfill that mission and provide our community with the most comprehensive and accurate database of court and game data to date.”
Through this partnership, USA Pickleball’s trusted network of 2,200 ambassadors will join forces with Pickleheads’ extensive platform which includes nearly 14,000 U.S. facilities. The collaboration ensures that the USA Pickleball ambassador network and their respective communities around the country will have access to the best and most accurate platform for finding pickleball play.
“Providing reliable court and game information at players’ fingertips is vital for the growth of our sport,” said Brandon Mackie, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of Pickleheads. “USA Pickleball pioneered the original court finder, and we’re thrilled to work with them to make finding a court or game easier than ever for players.”
In addition to partnering on a court and game finder, Pickleheads and USA Pickleball announced plans to collaborate on various initiatives to enhance and improve the player experience. Initiatives include the promotion of tools that streamline group management for organizers of all sizes, allowing them to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time enjoying the game, along with integrated surveys in the Pickleheads Newsletter which will provide players with an opportunity to share their opinions on key issues in the sport.
For more information on Pickleheads, please visit pickleheads.com.
About USA Pickleball: USA Pickleball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of pickleball in the United States. Its mission is to promote the development and growth of the sport while sanctioning events and providing annual members with premier tournaments, educational opportunities, player rankings, official rules and other exclusive benefits. USA Pickleball is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that is governed and operated by a Board of Directors and a national office staff, who provide the guidance and infrastructure for the continued expansion of the sport.
About Pickleheads: Pickleheads is the #1 online platform for pickleball. Players can find courts, schedule games, join groups, chat with other players and more. Pickleheads hosts the industry’s most comprehensive database of pickleball courts, including nearly 14,000 places to play in the U.S.
Melissa Zhang
USA Pickleball
[email protected]
Durham, N.C. – (April 9, 2024) – SKLZ, the leader in sports training products, is announcing a partnership with media and entertainment company Barstool Sports to release a co-branded SKLZ | Barstool Golf product line that will combine the premium features and technology of SKLZ products with the Barstool Sports top-ranked golf podcast “Fore Play.”
Michael Polk, Chief Executive Officer of Implus, said, “We are excited to introduce our SKLZ top-rated golf training aids to the Barstool Sports audience. Barstool Sports has a large loyal fanbase and we look forward to leveraging our distribution capabilities to reach even more golf enthusiasts and equip them with tools they need to improve their golf game.”
Available now, the line features a range of golf training aids designed to help golfers of all skill levels improve their game. The line will come branded in Barstool colors and feature the Barstool Golf logo, and is supported by Barstool Sports’ popular, top-ranked golf podcast “Fore Play” and its personalities Sam “Riggs” Bozoian, Trent Ryan, Frankie Borrelli, and Dan Rapaport, who are featured in the campaign content.
Key SKLZ products include the Gold Flex 48”, a golf swing trainer designed to improve swing tempo, strength, and distance, the Quickster Chipping net designed with three different sized target holes for accuracy practice, and the Putt Path Gates designed to help players visualize the line and improve their putting consistency and accuracy.
The product line will be available on SKLZ.com, online at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amazon.com, as well as Golf Galaxy stores and Dick’s Sporting Goods House of Sport stores.
About SKLZ: SKLZ is the leading provider of performance training products and programs for athletes of all levels. SKLZ products are designed to sync the body to the brain, helping athletes to be stronger, smarter, and faster. With tools available for every sport and skill, like training nets, agility ladders, resistance bands, and more, SKLZ empowers athletes to never settle for yesterday’s best. Learn more at www.sklz.com.
About Barstool Sports
One of the largest and most influential digital sports, entertainment and media platforms, Barstool Sports delivers original content across blogs, podcasts, video and social media, supported by nearly 100 dedicated personalities. Barstool Sports is home to the No. 1 sports podcast “Pardon My Take;” No. 1 golf podcast “Fore Play;” No. 1 hockey podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets;” popular lifestyle pod “Chicks in the Office;” leading comedy and original Barstool podcast, “KFC Radio;” and more. In 2023, the media juggernaut boasted 250M social followers, 90 billion video views across its content and 33M monthly podcast downloads. www.barstoolsports.com.
About Implus: Implus is home to 18 brands in the footwear accessories, hosiery, specialty running, outdoor, fitness and movement categories. As an industry leader in active accessories, Implus is committed to enabling people to live active, healthy, and fulfilled lives, providing innovative products to more than 80,000 retail outlets worldwide. Distributing across more than 70 countries, Implus is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with five international offices. Key brands within Implus’ portfolio include Balega®, SKLZ®, Yaktrax®, TriggerPoint™, Sof Sole®, RockTape® and Spenco®. To learn more about Michael Polk and Implus leadership, please visit www.implus.com/leadership/. To learn more about Implus, please visit www.implus.com.
Media Contact
Rachel Rose
205-937-3668
[email protected]