Altamont, N.Y. (August 19, 2020) – Gait Lacrosse is proud to announce it’s latest NCAA multi-year partnership with the Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse program. The agreement provides Gait Lacrosse hard goods to the Division I student-athletes beginning in the spring of 2021.
“We are really looking forward to working with Paul, Gary and the Gait Lacrosse Family. The Gait name has always signified excellence and cutting-edge innovation,” said coach Kelly Amonte-Hiller. “We feel this a natural fit for our Lacrosse program and student athletes. The Gait brand will focus heavily on supporting women’s products and performance enhancing features, which is very important to me and Northwestern University. We can’t wait to get started with this exciting new partnership.”
Gait Lacrosse, a collaboration between lacrosse legends and brothers, Gary and Paul Gait, launched last fall. The company has a full line of women’s lacrosse gear (heads, handles, gloves and eyewear) and men’s lacrosse heads, handles and gloves.
“We are very happy to come to an agreement with Kelly Amonte-Hiller and the Northwestern program,” said Gait Lacrosse co-owner Paul Gait. “Kelly is one of the most innovative and successful coaches in the game today, who brings immense credibility to everything she is involved in. This new partnership will help fuel our goal to become the leading innovator of performance driven lacrosse equipment.”
Northwestern University joins University of Maryland, the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Louisville women’s lacrosse programs as part of the Gait Family.
#BeLegendary
PG Lax Properties, LLC is a US based company created by Paul Gait and Curt Styres to produce the “Gait” brand of lacrosse products. The brand originally developed by Paul Gait, for Rawlings Sporting Goods, was contractually re-acquired by Gait in 2018. In September of 2019, Paul’s twin brother Gary, arguably the greatest player of all-time, joined the company to create one of the industry’s most dynamic duos in design and innovation. The Company is committed to use its legendary design experience and proven creativity to produce products with game-changing innovation. Established partnerships with the NLL, professional athletes and NCAA programs have allowed the Gait brothers to prove that their performance design and technology is unmatched within the industry.
Media Contact
Jennifer Riitano Levy
Vice President of Product & Marketing
518-331-4012
Port Washington, NY, August 19, 2020 – While the U.S. cycling industry’s unprecedented growth in the earlier months of the COVID-19 pandemic was primarily driven by sales of family-friendly, adult lifestyle and children’s bicycles, the storyline evolved in June. According to The NPD Group, the 63% year-over year growth for bike sales in June primarily stemmed from higher-end bikes typically purchased by enthusiasts, including road, gravel, and full suspension mountain bikes, as well as electric bikes.
Sales of bikes with average selling prices above $1,000 experienced impressive growth in June 2020 compared to the same month last year. Full suspension mountain bikes were up 92% in dollars, gravel bikes +144%, sport performance road bikes +87%, and e-bikes +190%.
The growth in children’s, lifestyle, and transit/fitness bikes slowed compared to their April and May 2020 rates, likely as a result of lowered inventories at retail. Although June growth for these categories was lower than that of the performance categories, they showed significant average sales price increases. June average selling prices were up 20% compared to the same period last year for lifestyle bikes, +33% for transit/fitness, and +13% children’s bikes.
“The growth of these performance-based segments is likely a result of a few factors. Consumers of these more expensive bikes may have delayed purchases in the early months of the crisis, creating pent-up demand for these categories. Additionally, with a continuation of working from home for many, and as gyms and health clubs are unable to reopen in many states, consumers may be more willing to invest in higher-priced, performance-oriented bikes as a fitness option for the long haul,” said Dirk Sorenson, sports industry analyst, The NPD Group.
Source: The NPD Group/ U.S. Retail Tracking Service
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About The NPD Group, Inc.
NPD offers data, industry expertise, and prescriptive analytics to help our clients grow their businesses in a changing world. Over 2,000 companies worldwide rely on us to help them measure, predict, and improve performance across all channels, including brick-and-mortar and e-commerce. We have offices in 27 cities worldwide, with operations spanning the Americas, Europe, and APAC. Practice areas include apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, books, B2B technology, consumer technology, e-commerce, fashion accessories, food consumption, foodservice, footwear, home, juvenile products, media entertainment, mobile, office supplies, retail, sports, toys, video games, and watches. For more information, visit npd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npd_sports.
Press Contact:
Marissa Guyduy
+1 516-625-2203
[email protected]
(Clearwater, FL) August 17, 2020 – After a competitive RFP process, the City of Morristown has selected the Sports Facilities Management (SFM) as the outsourced operator for their $36 million Community Fitness and Aquatics Center. The 115,000 square-foot facility, designed by Lose Design, is slated to include 4 hardwood courts, 25-yard swimming pool, and state-of-the art fitness center among other amenities. The facility is scheduled to open to the public in 2022 with membership sales beginning in 2021.
Tony Cox, City Administrator, commented, “The Community Center has been years in the making. We are creating something really exceptional for the residents of Morristown and surrounding communities. With SFM’s experience in operating high-performing facilities, we’re confident they’re the best choice to serve the City and manage the facility to the highest standards.”
The Clearwater, Florida based firm manages properties in more than 20 states including publicly-owned properties with community recreation programming including Bridgeport, WV, Wheeling, WV, and Hoover, AL. In addition to managing daily operations, marketing, training, and programming for the facility, the firm has also been engaged to work alongside the design team for Venue Planning and FFE/OSE Procurement services during construction.
CEO and Founder of SFM, Jason Clement said, “We are already collaborating with the City and design team as this Community Center will represent the best in recreation, sport, banquet, adventure and fitness technology and space. The robust programming, design and operating methodology will create a spectacular community resource for the residents of Morristown for decades to come. This facility is going to have lasting benefits to the health and economic vitality of the community, and SFM is honored to partner with Morristown toward that end.”
Over the next 18-24 months, SFM will recruit and train facility staff that lives, works, and plays locally as well as develop the logo and brand, execute a marketing campaign and membership sales, and develop programming and events.
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About Sports Facilities Companies: The Sports Facilities Advisory, LLC (SFA), Sports Facilities Development, LLC, and Sports Facilities Management, LLC (SFM) are headquartered in Clearwater, FL. Founded in 2003, SFA has served more than 2,000 communities, produced more than $10 billion in institutional-grade financial forecasts, and provided funding strategies and solutions for more than 70+ youth and amateur sports and recreation complexes worldwide. SFD serves facility owners through owner’s representation, venue planning, and procurement services during pre-development and construction. SFM provides industry-leading, results-driven management solutions for sports, fitness, recreation, and event venues nationwide. Since 2014, SFM-affiliated venues have hosted more than 100 million visitors and generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact. For more information, visit: sportadvisory.com and sfmnetwork.com.
Altamont, N.Y. (August 12, 2020) – Gait Lacrosse is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with the United States Naval Academy Women’s Lacrosse program beginning with the 2020-21 season.
The agreement provides a full suite of Gait Lacrosse hard goods to the NCAA Division 1 student-athletes for the opportunity to get to know the brand and to push forth their skills.
“Gait has the most innovative sticks and stringing in the game…the technology is unmatched in the industry; gait sticks, gait stick head, gait handles and gait pockets will separate your performance from the rest andtake you to new heights,” said Naval Academy women’s lacrosse coach Cindy Timchal. “[the products] are performance driven, technology-advanced, and
fluid-enhancing. You have yet arrived at your destination, the journey to lacrosse excellence has just begun …be special, be brave, BE GAIT!”
Gait Lacrosse, a collaboration between lacrosse legends and brothers, Gary and Paul Gait, launched last fall. The company has a full line of women’s lacrosse gear, including heads, handles, gloves and eyewear, and men’s lacrosse heads, handles and gloves.
“We are extremely happy to team up with Cindy and the Naval Academy,” said Gait Lacrosse co-owner Paul Gait. “I personally have been working with Cindy and her programs for 20 years now and know there are not many coaches who can bring such a high level of experience and credibility to a lacrosse brand. She is a true legend and we are happy to partner with her again.”
Navy joins the University of Louisville women’s lacrosse as part of the Gait Family.
#BeLegendary
PG Lax Properties, LLC is a US based company created by Paul Gait and Curt Styres to produce the “Gait” brand of lacrosse products. The brand originally developed by Paul Gait, for Rawlings Sporting Goods, was contractually re-acquired by Gait in 2018. In September of 2019, Paul’s twin brother Gary, arguably the greatest player of all-time, joined the company to create one of the industry’s most dynamic duos in design and innovation. The Company is committed to use its legendary design experience and proven creativity to produce products with
game-changing innovation. Established partnerships with the NLL, WPLL, professional athletes
and NCAA programs have allowed the Gait brothers to prove that their performance design and technology is unmatched within the industry.
Media Contact
Jennifer Riitano Levy
Vice President of Product & Marketing 518-331-4012
Altamont, N.Y. (August 12, 2020) – Gait Lacrosse is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with the University of Maryland Women’s Lacrosse program beginning with the 2020-21 season.
The agreement will provide Gait Lacrosse hard goods to the NCAA Division 1 student-athletes for the opportunity to utilize the brand and to continue to progress their skills.
“I could not be happier for Maryland Women’s Lacrosse to work with Gait Lacrosse. They are innovators of the game and of the equipment we have used at Maryland to win championships,” said Maryland women’s lacrosse coach Cathy Reese. “The Gait product line of sticks provides unique advantages for our players to perform at their best on the field. The Gait’s have been part of our historic success at Maryland and I believe they will be part of our future success.”
Gait Lacrosse, a collaboration between lacrosse legends and brothers, Gary and Paul Gait, launched last fall. The company has a full line of women’s lacrosse equipment (heads, handles, gloves and eyewear) and men’s lacrosse heads, handles and gloves.
“We are very excited and grateful to be teaming up with the University of Maryland’s Women’s Lacrosse team. My brother, myself and our employees have strong ties to coach Reese and the program and we are looking forward to the next evolution of our relationship,” said Gait Lacrosse co-owner Paul Gait. “We want to put our products in the hands of the best and this program has proven they are a great choice by their dominance over the last decade.”
The University of Maryland joins the Naval Academy and the University of Louisville women’s lacrosse programs as part of the Gait Family.
#BeLegendary
PG Lax Properties, LLC is a US based company created by Paul Gait and Curt Styres to produce the “Gait” brand of lacrosse products. The brand originally developed by Paul Gait, for Rawlings Sporting Goods, was contractually re-acquired by Gait in 2018. In September of 2019, Paul’s twin brother Gary, arguably the greatest player of all-time, joined the company to create one of the industry’s most dynamic duos in design and innovation. The Company is committed to use its legendary design experience and proven creativity to produce products withgame-changing innovation. Established partnerships with the NLL, professional athletes and NCAA programs have allowed the Gait brothers to prove that their performance design and technology is unmatched within the industry.
Media Contact
Jennifer Riitano Levy
Vice President of Product & Marketing 518-331-4012
International sports ministry brand has hired Ryan Betscher following national talent search
(Xenia, OH) August 12, 2020 – The premier outdoor sports complex in southwestern Ohio, Athletes in Action (AIA) Sports Complex and Retreat Center, has hired Ryan Betscher as General Manager of their facility to oversee all sports operations at their Xenia headquarters. Betscher was selected in a nationwide talent search led by the complex’s management partner, Sports Facilities Management (SFM). He brings a wealth of knowledge to this role including in marketing, event management, and business development.
Prior to joining AIA, Betscher served as the Chief Operating Officer of Muñoz Agency, a sports marketing agency started by Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz. Their clients included the NFL, Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Cincinnati Reds and others. During his time, he executed over 100 events in NFL stadiums and practice facilities and at the last six Super Bowl Experiences. He was also able to successfully expand their business internationally to Mexico and the UK.
About this new hire, Athletes in Action’s (AIA) Executive Director of Sports TEAM, Eric Nelson shared, “Ryan joins our team as someone that is passionate about making the Gospel known through the sport platform. Over the past 10 years, as COO of the Muñoz Agency, he has helped build programs in NFL cities that have demonstrated excellence as well as growth. We are confident that Ryan is the right person to lead our AIA Campus in Ohio and provide life changing experiences to all those that play here. He is the right person for this role and can help bring transformation to the world of sport.”
Betscher added, “It is an honor to be selected as the General Manager of the Athletes in Action Sports Complex and Retreat Center. The mission is important to me and I am excited to lend my experience in sports and events to this role to continue the success of this campus and ministry. Together we will bring the best events in the region to our campus and provide excellent programming to Xenia and surrounding areas.”
AIA’s Sports Campus and Retreat Center is located in Xenia, OH, just a short hour from Cincinnati. The site houses the Athletes in Action headquarters and Sports Complex and Retreat Center (SCRC). Combined with the retreat center and challenge course, Athletes in Action is focused on building a training environment that develops transformational athletic leaders. The 250-acre outdoor complex features six synthetic turf fields – two long fields, three diamond fields, and one football field with a track. Other features include a 275-bed retreat center, a challenge course with high and low obstacles, and a conference center with catering.
To learn more about the AIA Sports Complex and Retreat Center, visit: goaia.org/sports-complex
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Athletes in Action is an international sports organization focused on equipping athletes and coaches to grow in relationship with Jesus and to multiply their life into others. With a presence in over 60 countries, over 200 college campuses, and over 40 professional sports teams, Athletes in Action progresses toward an ultimate goal of seeing Christ-followers on every team, in every sport, in every nation.
A number of outdoor categories have experienced explosive sales growth at retail in recent months. Typically, June is a critical selling month for the outdoor industry. In this unprecedented year, what’s trending and how do June sales stack up to last year?
Here are some of the most popular outdoor activities U.S. consumers have been flocking to, through the lense of The NPD Group’s retail sales data:
1. Cycling
· The market has seen unprecedented sales growth over the last few months, and bicycle sales continued to accelerate in June 2020 – up 63% in dollars compared to the same month last year.
· While cycling growth in the early months of the COVID-19 crisis was largely generated from sales of family-friendly bikes, June’s growth came from higher-end bicyclestypically purchased by enthusiasts, including road bikes and full suspension mountain bikes.
· Sports industry analyst Dirk Sorenson attributes the shift toward higher-end bikes to inventory shortages in more family-friendly categories, as well as cyclists who are now more willing to invest in the activity for the long haul.
2. Paddle Sports
· Paddle sports equipment (kayaks, paddleboards, rafts, and canoes combined) grew +56% in dollar sales in June versus the same time last year.
· Inflatable versions of kayaks and paddleboards are gaining popularity as consumers find they’re easier to store and less expensive. In June 2017, inflatables represented 19% of paddleboard unit sales and 9% of recreational kayak unit sales. In June 2020, those figures stood at 66% and 26%, respectively.
3. Golf
· In June, golf equipment sales were up 51%. Senior Sports Industry Advisor Matt Powell attributes this to new players of the sport and pent-up demand upon golf course reopenings. If this momentum continues, it could be a strong opportunity for the industry to engage with new customer segments, he says.
4. Camping
· Camping equipment dollar sales increased by 31% in June 2020 as consumers looking for a respite from home life pitched tents in their yards or at local destinations.
· Recreational tents grew almost two times as fast as backpacking tents.
5. Bird-watching and Nature Sightings
· Consumers have been creative in the activities they’ve undertaken while in the crisis period.
· Unique bird species can be found even in large cities, which contributes to bird-watching’s appeal to a wide range of consumers. Beyond bird-watching, binocularshave a wide range of uses, from stargazing to nature walks. To aid in their sightings, many purchased binoculars, which saw a 22% dollar sales increase in June 2020 compared to the same month last year.
Click here to read the full report, America Outdoors: Consumers Are Flocking to These 5 Activities. For more information on any or all of these activities, or to speak with one of our sports industry experts, contact me at [email protected].
Chicagoland’s Newest Sports and Recreation Megaplex Breaks Ground
Midway Central Station in Bedford Park Celebrates Groundbreaking
(Bedford Park, IL) August 11, 2020 – Located just minutes from Chicagoland’s Midway Airport, the Village of Bedford Park celebrated the groundbreaking of their newest sports and recreation venue, Midway Central Station. The ceremony took place on July 11 on the plotted site where the event center will be located. Construction has begun on the 116,000 square-foot indoor sports, events and recreation venue and is scheduled to be completed by summer 2021.
The ceremony hosted members from the Village of Bedford Park, ALPA Construction, Sports Facilities Management (SFM), The Concord Group, Hoefferle-Butler Engineering, and more. Mayor Dave Brady commented on this momentous occasion, “We are thrilled to begin construction on a venue that will be an asset to our already thriving community. We are grateful to our partners who have made our vision come to life. Together, we will successfully open this center with events and programming to the Village and the rest of Chicago come 2021.”
SFM CEO Jason Clement, added, “Midway Central Station represents the next generation of sports tourism venues with unique entertainment amenities. The destination alone located next door to Chicago’s Midway Airport is already making this site a top choice for events in the region and around the country. We are ready to continue the next phase of development, and we are thrilled with the design being developed by ALPA Construction. Every decision by Bedford Park leadership from the Mayor, Board, and staff has been in support of creating a world class destination and guest experience.”
Midway Central Station will feature 8 basketball courts or 16 NCAA-regulation volleyball courts, an e-sports café, a family entertainment center including a redemption arcade, laser tag/laser frenzy, party rooms, and more. The venue will offer comprehensive programming and entertainment, making it a desirable destination for events in the area. In the first year alone, Midway Central Station is expected to bring in $5.7 million in local spending to Bedford Park.
To learn more about or to book with Midway Central Station, visit: playmidway.com.
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About Midway Central Station: Midway Central Station is a member of the SFM Network, the nation’s largest and fastest growing network of sports facilities and is operated by the industry-leader in outsourced operations, Sports Facilities Management. Our Midwest location and proximity to Chicago’s Midway Airport increases the likelihood that you and your team will compete against teams from all regions of the United States and beyond. Only minutes from Midway Airport, major interstates and top-rated hotels; athletes and their families consider this the most convenient destination for sports tournaments. Full hardwood courts, a premium lounge with gaming options, and a state-of-the-art arcade that includes laser tag and e-sports are just a few of the amenities waiting for you. Learn more by visiting, playmidway.com
Port Washington, NY, July 30, 2020 – As golf courses around the United States continue to reopen, golf equipment dollar sales grew by 51% in June compared to the same month last year, building off of the market’s 22% growth in May, according to The NPD Group.
The golf industry was trending positively entering the pandemic; annual sales were up 5% and 7% in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and 15% in January and February 2020 combined compared to the year prior, before the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns suppressed sales.
“The golf industry was in a good place before the COVID-19 crisis, largely due to a surge of retirees entering the market, and in May we started to see this health returning. Today’s growth is driven by new players as well as pent-up demand from the closures of physical golf retail stores and golf courses. The sport is also reaping the benefits of being a social distance-friendly activity,” said Matt Powell, NPD’s sports industry advisor.
Sales of full set golf clubs rose by 68% in June and golf balls were up 45%, a trend that Powell suggests is tied to new, entry-level players joining the activity. Glove sales increased by 51% for the month, and tees grew by 49%.
Training aids – specifically golf nets and screens, and swinging and putting mats – is an area of the market that fared exceptionally well during the lockdown months and continues to perform well year-to-date. A source of physical activity during lockdown and an opportunity for golfers to play or practice the sport sans courses or driving ranges, these products saw their fastest sales growth of the year in March and April, up more than 140%. Sales grew 78% in June.
Source: The NPD Group/ U.S. Retail Tracking Service
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About The NPD Group, Inc.
NPD offers data, industry expertise, and prescriptive analytics to help our clients grow their businesses in a changing world. Over 2,000 companies worldwide rely on us to help them measure, predict, and improve performance across all channels, including brick-and-mortar and e-commerce. We have offices in 27 cities worldwide, with operations spanning the Americas, Europe, and APAC. Practice areas include apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, books, B2B technology, consumer technology, e-commerce, fashion accessories, food consumption, foodservice, footwear, home, juvenile products, media entertainment, mobile, office supplies, retail, sports, toys, video games, and watches. For more information, visit npd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npd_sports.
Press Contact:
Marissa Guyduy
+1 516-625-2203
By Matt Powell
Vice President, Senior Industry Advisor, Sports
@NPDMattPowell
Sneakernomics: Back-to-School through the Lense of Sports Retail
Over the last few years, we have seen back-to-school sneaker sales start later, peak later, peak lower, and last longer than in the past. This has been primarily driven by the “buy now, wear now” mentality; if a new pair of shoes is not needed right now, why should families buy them? Plus, the longer families wait, the greater potential to buy at a discounted price.
This back-to-school season will be unique in a number of ways due to the marketplace, economic, and behavioral shifts brought on by the pandemic, and I remain pessimistic on how sales will fare this year.
June was an outstanding month for sneaker sales, but we should be careful in how we interpret these results. Brands were releasing an extraordinary amount of limited shoes in a month that typically does not see this happen. The results were jaw dropping increases in sales growth, but it is a strategy that is unsustainable for the longer term.
After three months of lockdown, there was pent-up demand to just get out and buy something. That spike in therapeutic shopping is not sustainable either.
Finally, there were great deals on product that had sat in darkened storefronts and had to be cleared. Again, the sales growth stemming from this is not sustainable.
The COVID-19 curve that was beginning to flatten is back on the rise. In certain parts of the country, cases are setting new records and death rates are beginning to climb again. Some states that reopened have reverted back to locking down, and in some cases are closing malls and stores. This does not bode well from a retail sales perspective, and it also raises additional concerns around school reopening.
Every day we hear about another school district going virtual this fall. Those students probably don’t need new shoes to take classes virtually (do they need shoes at all?). Parents may shift their spending to better meet the needs prompted by this new schooling environment, and invest in technologies to help their kids learn remotely. Money spent on tech means less available for shirts and shoes. Other school districts are pushing out start dates as they try to develop saving and executable strategies. Later start dates will impact sales that would have taken place early on.
This back-to-school season flux will have an impact on fall sports as well. Will parents feel it is safe for their kids to play sports under COVID-19?
Given the circumstances, I would also not be surprised if states cancel or postpone “tax free” holidays. Tax free dates only move the needle against the previous year when they start and when they end. Loss of tax free dates will have a negative impact on sales.
From a financial perspective, the economy remains in recession. The June unemployment rate was at a staggering 11%. Those jobs won’t come back quickly and some are likely lost forever. The recent lockdowns will add to the unemployment. All of this impacts consumer spending and behavior. In addition, the supplemental unemployment benefit ends this week. I firmly believe that this benefit has propped up retail sales and without it, sales will be hurt.
All of these factors will have a negative impact on the back-to-school season. Some of the business will go to the internet, but as we saw in March and April, this was not enough to offset closed stores. Some of this business can be deferred until later, but when will that “later” be? I don’t expect the sports retail business will hit the depths of March and April, but the highs of June will soon be forgotten.
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For more information or to speak with Matt Powell, contact me at [email protected] or 516-625-2203.
About The NPD Group, Inc.
NPD offers data, industry expertise, and prescriptive analytics to help our clients grow their businesses in a changing world. Over 2,000 companies worldwide rely on us to help them measure, predict, and improve performance across all channels, including brick-and-mortar and e-commerce. We have offices in 27 cities worldwide, with operations spanning the Americas, Europe, and APAC. Practice areas include apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, books, B2B technology, consumer technology, e-commerce, fashion accessories, food consumption, foodservice, footwear, home, juvenile products, media entertainment, mobile, office supplies, retail, sports, toys, video games, and watches. For more information, visit npd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npd_sports.