FOR RETAILERS

ISSUE 1339
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry
FOR RETAILERS
Easton’s Power Brigade
Mako Baseball Bat is
primed to be the hottest
selling item at retail this
holiday season.
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Group Publisher
Editor In Chief
James Hartford
[email protected]
303.997.7302
ISSUE 1339
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry
Senior Business Editor
Thomas J. Ryan
[email protected]
Contributing Editors
Aaron H. Bible, Fernando J. Delgado, Bill Kendy,
Charlie Lunan, Matt Powell
Editorial & Creative Director
Teresa Hartford
[email protected]
MAKING NEWS
Senior Graphic Designer
Camila Amortegui
[email protected]
4 NFL, Under Armour and GE
Invite Innovators to Compete For
Advertising Sales
Account Managers
$10 Million in Head Health Grants
Buz Keenan
[email protected]
201.887.5112
5 Riddell and TGEN
Team Up with Arizonia State
University Football Program in
Katie O'Donohue
[email protected]
828.244.3043
Genetic Study of Concussion
Detection and Treatment
6 NFL
Circulation & Subscriptions
[email protected]
Reaches Concussion Settlement
8 Boathouse Sports
Debuts Ice Hockey Uniforms
9 Wrestling
Reinstated for 2020 Olympics
SportsOneSource Publications
16 Industry Calendar
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Newsletters: The B.O.S.S. Report
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News Updates: SGB, Footwear Business, Outdoor
Business, Sportsman’s Business, TEAM Business
FEATURE
10 Holiday Team Sports
"Must-Haves"
For Retailers
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A Holiday "Must-Have"
is Lacrosse Equipment up over 21 percent with
sticks and helmets leading
the way.
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SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
3
NEWS I CONCUSSION AWARENESS
“This is a perfect
example of our shared
commitment to making
the culture of sports
better and safer –
especially for young
athletes."
- NFL Commissioner
Roger Goodell
“We are excited to
harness the power of
innovation and assemble
the best minds in the
world towards an effort
to make the field of play
safer across all sports
and for all athletes."
NFL, UNDER ARMOUR AND GE
INVITE INNOVATORS TO COMPETE
FOR $10 MILLION IN
HEAD HEALTH GRANTS
Coming on the heels of the NFL’s tentative $765-million settlement
in concussion-related lawsuits, the NFL, Under Armour and GE
announced the launch of the Head Health Challenge II. The open
innovation challenge will award up to $10 million for new innovations and materials that can protect the brain from traumatic injury and for new tools for tracking head impacts in real time.
The challenge is part of the Head Health Initiative, an effort to
help speed diagnosis and improve treatment for mild traumatic
brain injury.
"We are very pleased to have Under Armour join our work with
GE to help accelerate progress and find better ways to protect the
brain from injury,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “This
is a perfect example of our shared commitment to making the culture of sports better and safer – especially for young athletes."
Entries are currently being accepted at headhealthchallenge.
com. The deadline to submit entries is January 30, 2014. Up to 10
winners are scheduled to be selected this month for the chance to
receive as much as $500,000 each. Up to five of the potential 10
finalists will be eligible to receive as much as $1,000,000 after the
second phase of judging concludes.
"As longstanding partners of the NFL and in collaboration with
GE, we take great pride in our participation in the Head Health
Challenge II,” said Under Armour Founder and CEO Kevin Plank.
“We are excited to harness the power of innovation and assemble
the best minds in the world towards an effort to make the field of
play safer across all sports and for all athletes."
4 SGBWeekly.com | SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Kevin Plank, Under Armour
founder and CEO with
Roger Goodell (left) NFL
Commissioner
- Under Armour Founder
and CEO Kevin Plank
Specific focus areas for Head Health Challenge II include:
»»
»»
»»
»»
Potential to Improve the Prevention and Identification of
Brain Injuries
Monitoring and Identifying Injury
Protection Against Injury or its Consequences
Training
The winners of the challenges will be selected by a panel of external judges that include leading experts in brain research and engineering solutions for training and protocols.
The Head Health Initiative is a four-year, $60 million collaboration to speed diagnosis and improve treatment for mild traumatic
brain injury. The goal of the program, which is guided by healthcare
experts, is to improve the safety of athletes, members of the military
and society overall. The initiative includes a four-year, $40 million
research and development program from the NFL and GE.
In addition, the NFL, Under Armour and GE launched two open
innovation challenges to invest up to $20 million in research and
technology development to better understand, diagnose and protect
against brain injury. The first challenge launched in March and closed
in July with more than 400 submissions from more than 25 countries.
That challenge will invest up to $10 million in technologies and imaging biomarkers that address identification and management of subclinical and mild traumatic brain injury. Winners of the first challenge
will be announced later this year.
RIDDELL AND TGEN
TEAM UP WITH ARIZONA STATE
UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PROGRAM IN
GENETIC STUDY OF CONCUSSION
DETECTION AND TREATMENT
Concussion awareness took another step
forward this month with the launch of a
new genetic study intended to advance concussion detection and treatment. Riddell,
a leader in football helmet technology and
innovation, recently announced that the
Pac-12’s Arizona State University and its
Sun Devil football program will participate
as the first university research partner in a
new study. This potentially groundbreaking
joint research project is the first of its kind
to combine molecular information with the
monitoring of head impacts.
Working with the Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen) and its research
partners, the Sun Devil football team will
participate in the study to identify whether
the effects of sub-concussive hits can be
identified through blood-based molecular
information. The researchers will monitor
the players’ changing molecular information
throughout a season of typical head impact
exposure associated with football practice
and games.
“Our goal is to be leaders in the community, on and off the field, and partnering with
industry pioneers like Riddell and TGen enables us to be proactive in helping to advance
the game and enrich the lives of our studentathletes,” said Steve Patterson, vice president
for Sun Devil Athletics. “Involvement in this
study is consistent with our long-term goals,
and also increases awareness and understanding of this important topic, as well as
furthers the Pac-12’s Student-Athlete Health
and Well-Being Initiative.”
The Riddell Sideline Response System
(SRS) has been deployed for use at Arizona
State University for the 2013 college football
season to obtain real-time head impact data
from Sun Devil football players. Information
gathered from the system will be combined
with molecular information from players that
experience concussion. The objective of gathering the data is to help physicians diagnose
concussions and better identify when a player
might be expected to recover and return to
the field. TGen and Riddell announced their
research collaboration in May.
6 SGBWeekly.com | SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Photo courtesy Arizona State
University
Riddell Revolution Speed Helmet with Sideline Response System (SRS)
sensors shown here on the underside. The red and white circles act as sensors
to obtain real time head impact data from players. SRS technology can be
purchased by institutions at the team level.
The Sun Devils’ medical team, consisting
of athletic trainers and physicians, will not
see the data or interpret any results until the
end of the season, and the student-athletes
wearing the Riddell SRS sensors in their
helmets volunteered to take part in the study.
The study is anchored by the process of
merging a player’s molecular information
with real-time head impact information
captured by Riddell’s SRS technology. Riddell, in partnership with Simbex, LLC, was
the first to introduce a helmet-based player
monitoring and response system to football. The data output provides researchers,
athletic staff and players with a wide range
of pertinent information – transmitted directly to the sidelines via wireless communication – on the frequency and severity of
head impacts a player receives during games
and practices. Riddell SRS has captured over
1.8 million impacts from youth to elite football competition since instituted in 2003 by
several well-respected research institutions,
leading to important rule changes and informing new helmet designs.
One key question is whether the effects of sub-concussive hits are identifiable
through blood-based molecular information that could unlock new opportunities
for innovation and advancement of the
game. Researchers at TGen, along with their
colleagues, hope to find the answers in the
data. During this phase of the study, TGen
faculty and staff have been working closely
with their colleagues at Barrow Neurological Institute, A.T. Still University and Desert
Testing collecting samples and data.
A baseline sample was collected from all
participating players prior to their pre-season
workouts. Since then, researchers have followed
the team through their daily workouts and will
continue throughout the season, securing samples the day after each practice or game.
After the conclusion of the season-long
campaign, the researchers will gather postseason baseline data and begin the analysis
process with their colleagues at Barrow Neurological Institute and A.T. Still University.
During this process, TGen will work closely
with Barrow, whose B.R.A.I.N.S. (Barrow
Resource for Acquired Injury to the Nervous System) program treats patients who
have sustained a traumatic brain or spinal
cord injury. The Barrow data will provide the
researchers with additional concussion data
and allow for comparison between data sets.
“Together with Arizona State University,
TGen and our other important research
partners, Riddell hopes to answer a number
of key questions that will lead to improved
player protection, inform our continued
development of new helmet innovations and
further refine player monitoring technology,”
said Dan Arment, president of Riddell.
NEWS I CONCUSSION AWARENESS
NFL
REACHES
CONCUSSION
SETTLEMENT
The NFL and more than 4,500 former players
reached a tentative $765 million settlement in
concussion related lawsuits. The settlement
is earmarked to fund medical exams and research and to provide compensation for explayers who are suffering from the debilitating
effects of concussions.
Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in
Philadelphia announced the proposed settlement late last month following months of
court-ordered mediation. Brody still must approve it at a later date. The concussion related
injuries suit has been in mediation since July,
and the announcement came just days before
the start of the 2013 NFL season season.
The plaintiffs include at least 10 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including former Dallas Cowboys running
back Tony Dorsett, Super Bowl-winning
quarterback Jim McMahon and the family of
Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide last year.
Former U.S. District Judge Layn Phillips, the
court appointed mediator who helped forge
the deal, said in a statement that a trial would
have been costly, long and difficult to address
8 SGBWeekly.com | SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
on a case-by-case basis with the outcome uncertain
for either side.
"This is a historic agreement, one that will make
sure that former NFL players who need and deserve compensation will receive it, and that will
promote safety for players at all levels of football,"
said Phillips. "Rather than litigate literally thousands of complex individual claims over many
years, the parties have reached an agreement that
will provide relief and support where it is needed at
a time when it is most needed."
There will be a fund of $675 million to
compensate former players or their families who
have suffered cognitive injury such as dementia,
ALS and Alzheimer's disease. A further $75 million
will be available for basic medical exams. Other
money will go towards research and legal expenses.
Under its terms, the NFL made no admission of
liability or deficiency on its part, nor that playing
American football caused the injuries. The NFL
will pay half of the settlement over three years and
the other half over the subsequent 17 years.
Insurers for the NFL and its players have denied
any obligation or liability in the case, as many of
the plaintiffs participated in different eras, with
changes in rules, equipment and treatment options.
Former U.S. District
Judge Layn Phillips
"This is a historic
agreement, one that
will make sure that
former NFL players
who need and deserve
compensation will receive
it, and that will promote
safety for players at all
levels of football."
- Former U.S. District
Judge Layn Phillips
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 561.692.3722 or email [email protected]
BOATHOUSE SPORTS
DEBUTS
ICE HOCKEY UNIFORMS
ACHIEVE
YOUR
GOALS
Photo courtesy Boathouse Sports
Boathouse Sports, the maker of sublimated
team uniforms, debuted its first line of ice
hockey uniforms earlier this month. The line
includes two fully sublimated jerseys - the
Flight and the Velocity – as well as sublimated hockey socks and 420 denier coated nylon
Ice Shell pants.
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 704.987.3450 or email
[email protected].
SportScanInfo.com
A Service of The SportsOneSource Group
10 SGBWeekly.com | SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Doub Tibbetts, President & CEO,
Boathouse Sports
“We are very excited about bringing our
custom uniforms, training gear and outerwear
to the world of hockey,” said Doug Tibbetts,
president of Boathouse Sports. “No other
team supplier can provide the fully custom
branded complement of uniforms, outerwear, training gear, as well as fan and support
gear, that we can.”
Boathouse’s jerseys are 20 percent lighter
than traditional cut-and-sewn jersey’s. They
also have double shoulders and elbows with
reinforced seams. The Flight Jersey features
the traditional hockey sweater tie neck,
while the Velocity has a V-neck collar.
Boathouse’s Ice Shell Pants, are built from
420 denier coated nylon oxford with stretch
insets for mobility and an adjustable buckle
waistband. All styles are available in Adult
and Youth sizing, including both Adult and
Youth Goalie cuts for the jerseys.
During the 2012/2013 ice hockey seasons,
Boathouse partnered with several teams to
receive extensive feedback, including
the New Trier Men’s Team, which won
the Illinois State High School Ice Hockey
State Championships. “The athletes found
our gear to be lighter, quicker to dry and
more comfortable to play in than their
old-school jerseys,” shared Tibbetts.
Boathouse also offers an on-line Team
Store model for easy web-based ordering and
offers a simple platform for organizing team
and supporter purchases. Tibbetts added that
the on-line Team Store model is an ideal tool
for ice hockey teams that are tired of complicated, patched-together apparel purchasing.
Boathouse Sports has been based in
Philadelphia, PA, where it manufactures
over 95 percent of its custom team apparel
products, since its inception in 1985. Boathouse maintains an exclusive customer
base of schools, universities and teams.
WRESTLING REINSTATED FOR 2020 OLYMPICS
The sport of wrestling claimed a huge victory earlier this month, as
the sport has been reinstated for the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo.
A majority of International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegates
voted to bring wrestling back to the Olympics, as the sport beat out
squash and a combined baseball/softball bid for the lone remaining
spot on the program for the 2020 and 2024 Summer Games. The
IOC originally made a stunning decision back on February 12 to
drop wrestling following the 2016 Olympics.
Wrestling drew 49 votes, more than baseball/softball with 24 votes
and squash with 22 votes. The vote at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos
Aires came after representatives of each sport under consideration
made one final, 20-minute sales pitch about how their sport could
strengthen the 21st century Olympic brand.
The decision to drop the sport was said to be due to frustrations
over the sport’s confusing rules and difficulty drawing TV viewership. Ever since the decision to drop the sport, wrestling advocates
undertook a spirited effort to reinstate the sport, as well as remake
it to appeal to a more diverse, modern audience.
“I would like to offer my congratulations to the International
Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles,” said IOC President
Jacques Rogge in a statement. “Wrestling has shown great passion
and resilience in the last few months. They have taken a number
of steps to modernize and improve their sport, including the addition of more women and athletes in decision-making positions;
rule changes to make the sport more exciting and easy to understand; and an increase in the number of women’s competitions. We
are pleased with their reaction and happy to have wrestling on the
Olympic programme in 2020 and 2024.”
In order to control the size, cost and complexity of the Games,
the Olympic Programme was capped in 2002 at 28 sports, about
300 events and a target of 10,500 athletes. It was also decided that a
systematic review of the Olympic Programme would be conducted
after every edition of the Games to keep the Games current while
maintaining continuity and consistency.
The President of the International Federation of Associated
Wrestling Styles (FILA), Nenad Lalovic, addressed the IOC members in a separate statement and welcomed the news. “With this
vote, you have shown that the steps we have taken to improve our
sport have made a difference,” he said in the statement. “I assure
each of you that our modernization will not stop now. We will
continue to strive to be the best partner to the Olympic Movement that we can be.”
Wrestling is one of the core sports on the Olympic Programme
until Rio 2016, but was not included in the IOC Executive Board’s
proposal for the 25 core sports for the 2020 Olympic Programme,
which was agreed upon by the Session before the decision on the
additional sport.
In the past few months, wrestling has undergone major changes, including new rules and a better sports presentation to attract more spectators
and a younger audience. In addition, FILA had also recently improved its
governance by installing more athletes and women into decision-making
positions and by increasing the numbers of its commissions.
“We did all we could,” commented Lalovic. “We changed our
sport, our federation, and we prepared a good presentation.
Wrestling is not a new sport, but the wrestling we are presenting
now is new wrestling.”
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
11
FOR RETAILERS
By Fernando J. Delgado
12
| SEPTEMBER
30, 2013
12 SGBWeekly.com
SEPTEMBER 2013
I TEAM BUSINESS
DIGITAL
With summer now in the rearview mirror, team dealers and retailers are gearing up for
the holiday season. Retailers can significantly impact their bottom line for the year in a
matter of two months if they make sure to efficiently stock their inventory with the right
team sports equipment. SGB takes a look at Holiday "Must-Haves" that are sure to fly off
the shelves this November and December.
T
raditional team sports such as baseball, football, soccer,
and basketball always do brisk business during the holiday season when it comes to equipment. Growing sports
such as lacrosse and hockey – both ice and field – are also
showing increased strength in sales numbers and represent opportunities for sellers to turn a profit if they stock their inventory with
the right equipment and accessory items, and the right volume for
the market they service. “Sports equipment always makes for a
great holiday gift,” said Neil Schwartz, VP of market & consumer insights at SportsOneSource. “The holiday season is right in the
middle of everything when it comes to team sports interest. College
and NFL Football are in high gear, the college and NBA Basketball
seasons are just getting started, and NHL Hockey is also in progress.
Interest and awareness is high and kids and adults alike are tuned in
and attentive.”
Taking a look at last years’ sales numbers through the holiday
selling season can help paint a picture of what to expect for this
upcoming holiday selling period. According to point-of-sale data
provided by SportScanInfo, Diamond Sports was up almost 15 percent, a strong increase given that baseball and softball players tend
to make their purchases during the holidays ahead of the spring
baseball/softball season. Bats and Gloves for both Baseball and
Softball were up 20 percent year-over-year in 2012. Batting Gloves
and Training Gear were also up one percent and 20 percent, respectively.
Last year Basketball Goals were up six percent while Equipment,
which usually consists of Balls, was up 12 percent. “Basketball
Equipment and Goals are one of the few categories that actually
grow during the holidays,” noted Schwartz.
Lacrosse Equipment also had a nice season, as it was up just over
21 percent, with Sticks and Helmets leading the way.
Volleyball Equipment was also up close to 20 percent for the
holiday period, with Balls being the big gainer.
According to Mike Miros, owner of First Team Sports in Greenville,
SC, Baseball leads the way in sell-through during the holiday season. “In the store, we do well when it comes to baseball, especially
gloves with Mizuno and Rawlings, particularly the new colored
gloves that Rawlings has. We think they’ll be a hot item,” shared
Miros. “And then there’s the Mako bat from Easton. We think that’s
going to be a very hot item this year. We feel very good about the
Mako. The early sell-through on it has been tremendous, and for
the holidays it should be really strong.” He added that
he anticipates the Easton Mako contributing to an increase in bat sales of up to 15 to 20 percent from last
year, while his stores typically sell strongly with ball
gloves in the $100-$199 price range.
Easton’s Power Brigade Mako baseball bat is primed
to be the hottest selling item at retail this holiday season. With a suggested retail price of $450, the Mako
tests the upper limits of the high-end price point. With
a massive barrel and lower MOI, the Mako incorporates a TCT two-piece design that allows hitters to get
their hands in the ideal hitting position, which results
in more balls in the gap and out of the yard. Despite
the lofty price tag, players are lining up to buy the bat
and many more will be asking for it on their Christmas
wish-lists. With a good margin for dealers, the bat is
perhaps the most essential holiday must-have on the
market. “This new Mako is going to extremes we’ve
never seen before,” observed Miros. “I’ve already sold
about 10 to 15 at $450 a pop. It blows my mind. I don’t
know if parents feel like they’re helping little Johnny get
an advantage, or if they believe that the product that
they’re buying will help them. It’s a great product – it’s
well balance and the ball does fly off of it. But it seems
that for whatever reason, mom and dad are willing to
spend extra to get it for their kid.”
Other hot bats will include eye-catching, high-performing models from Louisville Slugger and DeMarini.
Louisville Slugger will be swinging for the fences
with its Attack Baseball Bat, which is available for adult
BBCOR at $400, senior league, $300, and youth, $200,
Easton’s Power
Brigade Mako with TRU3 technology, as well as the LXT Fastpitch Bat
Baseball Bat
at retail for $350, also with TRU3. DeMarini’s 2014 CF6
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
13
Louisville
Slugger
Attack
Baseball
Bat
Photo courtesy Louisville Slugger
Fastpitch Bat, retailing for $250-$400, depending
on barrel size, features breakthrough D-Fusion
Handle Technology and was redesigned from knob
to endcap. The latest version of the CF6, available
starting November 1, has a new look and feel with a
two-piece D-Fusion handle and a carbon reinforced
Paradox composite handle that is stiffer for more
efficient energy transfer between barrel and ball.
On the fielding gloves side, several leading manufacturers will feature premium items this holiday
selling season.
Mizuno’s MVP Prime SE Infielder
Glove at $125 has a sleek look and
comfortable, flexible feel. The glove
features a center pocket design and
strong edge to create a more stable
thumb and pinky. Smooth, professional style oil plus leather is used in
the construction, leading to a balance
Mizuno’s MVP Prime
of oiled softness for feel and firm conSE Infielder Glove
trol that serious players prefer.
Rawlings will also offer gloves that will be strong sellers,
including the Heart of the Hide Dual Core Fielder’s Glove Series,
priced at $350, and GG Gamer RTD Series, at $135. The Heart
Rawlings Heart of the Hide Dual Core
Fielder’s Glove Series
Rawlings GG Gamer RTD Series
14 SGBWeekly.com | SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
Photo courtesy Mizuno
of the Hide Series is constructed with USA Horween leather
and Rawlings-patented Dual Core technology, and the gloves are
designed with position-specific break points in the glove pattern
so players can achieve top-level performance customized for their
defensive needs. The gloves are specially-tanned for a softer feel,
allowing for less break-in time.
Wilson has unveiled an all-new
line in time for the holidays, the
Wilson A1K Series retailing for $180.
The A1K series takes Wilson’s Pro
Stock patterns and construction used
for the pros’ gloves and updates them
to offer a more snug fit. The series
is built using major league baseball
Wilson A1K Series
player Dustin Pedroia’s game model
glove specifications, and is ideal for middle infielders looking for
more feel.
Click to play - Easton Mako Catchers Chest Protector in action
So that team dealers aren’t caught off-guard by high demand,
Miros recommends stocking up on certain categories. “We
always do well with catcher’s gear because it’s so expensive,”
he said. “Catcher’s equipment at that time of the year always
makes for a nice present at Christmas. We always want to
have our catcher’ gear like protectors and helmets, and even
bags are good to have. We
don’t want to miss any
sales there.”
Easton also offers the
Mako Chest Protector, re- Easton
tailing at $140, which is Mako
Chest
designed around the ath- Protector
leticism of a catcher to optimize pop time.
“We’re also trying to
get going with Lacrosse,”
Miros added, referring
to the growing sport that
continues to gain popularity in the South. “We think Lacrosse
might be a good seller for us this Christmas.” His team dealer
will focus heavily on Lacrosse
Equipment from Warrior and
Brine, along with Under Armour
for the first time. Key items from
Warrior will include the Evo
4X Lacrosse Head, $95, and the
Rabil Hitlyte Shoulder Pad, $160.
Football equipment will feature some must-have helmets.
Riddell’s latest model helmet,
the 360, retailing for $377,
Warrior Evo
boasts cutting edge technology
4X Lacrosse
Head
for maximum protection. The 360 employs
a sleek and stealthy design with extreme
detailing. It features oversized vent holes
for more air circulation around the player’s
head, and a hexagonal liner system with four
inflation points to leverage energy-managing
materials. The 360 also includes a removable,
moisture-resistant, anti-microbial overliner,
keeping players comfortable and safe from
infections.
Schutt will also have a high-end helmet
Riddell 360
for dealers this holiday season. The
Vengeance DCT Elite Helmet, $255, is the newest helmet from the leading
Photo
courtesy
Riddell
Schutt Vengeance DCT
Elite Helmet
manufacturer (the "DCT" stands for
Dual Compression Technology).
The fourth generation of TPU
cushioning contains durometers
that are specifically designed to
absorb both high-velocity and lowvelocity impacts, highlighting some
of the many technological features
of the Vengeance DCT.
For serious soccer players, Puma
has rolled out two new soccer cleats
that will be popular at retail: the evoSPEED 1.2 and PowerCat
1 FG Football (Soccer) Boots. Both boots are being worn at the
professional level by popular stars, and both models help players
maximize their speed, while also being designed to enhance the
agility and maneuverability that allows wearers to reach their top
speed as quickly as possible. Puma athlete Sergio Aguero first
appeared evoSPEED 1.2 when Manchester City took on FC Viktoria
Plzen earlier this month. The PowerCat 1 FG Football Boots at $180 retail
offers highly-developed technology along with striking aesthetics. The
boot puts power behind the player’s foot to maximize kicking power and
strength, while also improving accuracy on the pitch. Puma athlete
Cesc Fabregas wore the
new PowerCat for a
matchup between FC
Barcelona and Ajax.
Protective accessories
in particular make for
great stocking stuffers.
Puma PowerCat 1 FG Football Boots
Even though the protective category doesn’t gain steam over the holiday season as much
as other sport-specific categories such as baseball bats, gloves and
catcher’s gear and lacrosse sticks and helmets, it remains a steady seller
year-round and various protective pieces can serve as complementary
items for parents to buy their kids. No matter the sport, an athlete
can always use extra protection.
A few new protective items stand out as ideal for sellers to have
in stock on the sales floor.
Shock Doctor has produced a flavored
mouthguard for the first time with its Gel
Max Flavor Fusion Mouthguard, suggested
retail $13. Available in six flavors, including
diverse options such as fruit punch,
orange, blue raspberry and bubble gum, Shock Doctor Gel Max Flavor
the mouthguard combines performance, Fusion Mouthguard
Photo courtesy Shock Doctor
Puma athlete Sergio Aguero
16 SGBWeekly.com | SEPTEMBER 30, 2013wearing evoSPEED 1.2
Photo courtesy Puma
protection and Flavor Fusion technology. At an affordable price
point, the Gel Max Flavor Fusion makes for a great stocking stuffer
offering both needed protection and the unique flavoring feature
that young players gravitate towards.
Shock Doctor has also seen heightened demand for its performance insole line. Yet another ideal stocking stuffer that can be
purchased for any athlete for a variety of team sports, Shock Doctor’s insoles are designed to meet the specific needs of athletes depending on the sport they play. The line includes insoles for Cleats
(football, baseball and soccer), Court (basketball, tennis), Skate
(hockey, inline) and Active (running, hiking, walking, training)
starting at a $20 retail price point.
Brandon Allen
wearing a unique
batting glove
colorway from
Cutters
▲
Click to play - Shock Doctor Cleat Insoles
As with other Shock Doctor items and protective equipment
overall, the insoles leverage technology to provide athletes with the
best performance, comfort and protection. Shock Doctor’s Adaptive Arch technology works with all foot shapes and arch heights,
while features such as a control bar, a full-foot foam and integrated
shock pads help athletes protect their feet and joints from injury
while maximizing performance. They make for a good item for
team dealers and retailers to prominently place on their sales floor,
either as part of a point of purchase display close to the register, or
a display strategically placed near footwear such as cleats and running shoes. “While other insoles force wearers to choose between
comfort and support, Shock Doctor’s innovative, game-changing
technology incorporates the perfect balance of shock absorption, stability and support into every model eliminating the need
for compromise,” explained Tony Armand, president and CEO of
Shock Doctor.
Cutters Gloves will be offering new
baseball batting gloves that will also make
for excellent stocking stuffers. Starting
in November, Cutters is launching four
gloves made with the company's exclusive
C¬TACK Performance Grip Material.
Among them is the Prime Command B030,
suggested retail $40, and an adult glove
with a lightweight all-leather construction
for traditional feel and comfort. Other
models in the line include the Leadoff,
Cutters Gloves Prime
Power Control, and Prime Hero.
Command B030
Franklin Sports NHL Team
Mini Hockey Goal,
Stick & Ball Set
Franklin Sports MLB 2 in 1 Power Spring
Batting Tee & Pop Up
Franklin Sports offers practice
equipment that can be marketed as
gift sets for kids aspiring to become
serious players. Franklin’s NHL Team
Mini Hockey Goal, Stick & Ball Set,
suggested retail $35, is a two-player mini hockey set equipped with
two-player sticks with team logos and colors, pre-curved blades,
one soft EVA foam two-inch mini ball and a goal. Franklin’s MLB
2 in 1 Power Spring Batting Tee & Pop Up, meanwhile, is perfect
for helping kids starting the game of baseball to learn their swing.
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s shaping up to be a
profitable selling season. Whether it’s stocking up on a good volume
of baseball equipment, or finding the right product mix of growing
sports like lacrosse and ice hockey, dealers can be sure of a successful
end to 2013 by stocking up on must-have items. ■
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 | SGBWeekly.com
17
For full year calendar go to
sportsonesource.com/events
SEPTEMBER
13-14
WWSRA Intermountain Preview
Salt Lake City, UT
13-15
WWSRA NorCal Early Preview
Reno, NV
14-17
SHOT Show
Las Vegas, NV
15-18
NBS Winter-Specialty Market
Fort Worth, TX
16-18
Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show
Las Vegas, NV
NOVEMBER
17-19
Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS)
Long Beach, CA
1-3
NBS Fall Athletic Market
Austin, TX
21
ORWM Demo Day
TBA
5-7
TAG Fall/Winter Show
St. Louis, MO
22-25
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market
Salt Lake City, UT
15-17
A.D.A. Fall Show
San Antonio, TX
30-2
SIA Snow Show
Denver, CO
24-26
Sports Inc. Athletic Show
Las Vegas, NV
FEBRUARY
30-2
OIA Rendezvous
San Diego, CA
OCTOBER
10-11
The Retailing Summit
Dallas, TX
29-31
Sport Source Asia
Hong Kong
29-1
NASGW Expo
Grapevine, TX
DECEMBER
3-4
SIA On-Snow Demo
Copper Mountain, CO
2-4
EORA SE Winter Market
Asheville, NC
3-4
SIA Nordic Demo
Copper Mountain, CO
3-4 WWSRA NW Early Preview
Seattle, WA
5-7
FFANY
New York, NY
3-5
MRA December Market
Lansing, MI
5-8
Sports Inc. Outdoor Show
Phoenix, AZ
4-6FFANY
New York, NY
6-10
NBS Semi-Annual Market
Fort Worth, TX
10-11
9-11
EORA SE February Show
Greenville, SC
10-11
WWSRA NorCal Early Preview
TBA
10-13
Worldwide Spring Show
Reno, NV
11-12
11-13
18-19
MWSRA February Show
Madison, WI
EORA FLA Winter Market
Punta Gorda, FL
Atlanta Shoe Market
Atlanta, GA
JANUARY
6-8
ATA Show
Nashville, TN
7-9
MWSRA January Show
Madison, WI
14-16
7-9
WWSRA Rocky Mtn Preview
Denver, CO
APRIL
7-9
WWSRA Northwest Preview
Portland, OR
9-11
Surf Expo
Orlando, FL
18 SGBWeekly.com | SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
MWSRA New Model Demo
Hastings, MN
MARCH
4-6
Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS)
Atlantic City, NJ
Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS)
Orlando, FL
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS | BUYING GROUPS
CALENDAR
Athletic Dealers of America
1395 Highland Avenue
Melbourne, FL 32935
t 321.254.0091
f 321.242.7419
athleticdealersofamerica.com
National Shooting Sports Foundation
Flintlock Ridge Office Center
11 Mile Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470
t 203.426.1320
f. 203.426.1087
nssf.org
National Sporting Goods Association
1601 Feehanville Drive / Suite 300
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
t 847.296.6742
f 847.391.9827
nsga.org
Nation’s Best Sports
4216 Hahn Blvd.
Ft. Worth, TX 76117
t 817.788.0034
f 817.788.8542
nbs.com
Outdoor Industry Association
4909 Pearl East Circle / Suite 300
Boulder, CO 80301
t 303.444.3353
f 303.444.3284
outdoorindustry.org
Sports & Fitness Industry Association
8505 Fenton St., Suite 211
Silver Spring, MD 20910
t 301.495.6321
f 301.495.6322
sfia.org
Snow Sports Industries America
8377-B Greensboro Drive
McLean, VA 22102
t 703.556.9020
f 703.821.8276
snowsports.org
Sports, Inc.
333 2nd Avenue North
Lewistown, MT 59457
t 406.538.3496
f 406.538.2801
sportsinc.com
Sports Specialists Ltd.
590 Fishers Station Drive / Suite 110
Victor, NY 14564
t 585.742.1010
f 585.742.2645
sportsspecialistsltd.com
Team Athletic Goods
629 Cepi Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63005
t 636.530.3710
f 636.530.3711
tag1.com
Worldwide
8211 South 194th
Kent, WA 98032
t 253.872.8746
f 253.872.7603
wdi-wdi.com
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 303.997.7302 or email [email protected]
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