7 minute read
INDUSTRY NOW
by NSGA
OrderMyGear Names Matt Kaplan President
OrderMyGear (OMG), the leading eCommerce platform for the Promotional Products and Team Sporting Goods industries, announced Matt “Kap” Kaplan as the company’s first President. As president, Kaplan will lead OMG’s Global Sales organization, Account Management, Brand Partnerships and Marketing. In this newly created role, Kaplan will be responsible for executing OMG’s mission to be the leading technology platform for dealers, distributors and decorators to sell customized products. Under Kaplan’s leadership throughout the past three years as Senior Vice President of Revenue, he prioritized growing OMG’s client base by more than 50% while expanding into new markets and securing large enterprise partnerships in the Promotional Products and Team Sporting Goods industries. Kaplan is committed to prioritizing client-centric initiatives and delivering new capabilities that allow OMG’s customer base to stay one step ahead of the competition. Before OMG, Kaplan spent 16 years at Under Armour, helping the brand launch into global markets and leading the North American Team Sports and Corporate Sales division. During his early days at UA, he developed a unique appreciation and respect for the dealer, distributor, and decorator, specializing in go-to-market strategies and technology needed to service groups of consumers wanting customized apparel. “Kaplan lives and knows our clients better than anyone in the industry. He is a remarkable leader, and his promotion to President is just formalizing what everyone already recognizes,” remarked OMG CEO Dave Dutch. “I know I share the sentiment with my fellow OMG’ers and our clients that there’s no one better than Kaplan to take us to new heights in this next phase of growth.” Kaplan commented, “I am humbled and incredibly excited to lead this exceptional team. We are focused on providing new solutions to help all of our clients grow while delivering world-class customer service. I love this industry, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about the innovation OMG will be bringing to market in the coming year and beyond.”
FDA Authorizes Marketing of Q-Collar
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized marketing of a new device intended to be worn around the neck of athletes aged 13 years and older during sports activities to aid in the protection of the brain from the effects associated with repetitive sub-concussive head impacts. The non-invasive device, called Q-Collar, is a C-shaped collar that applies compressive force to the neck and increases blood volume to help reduce movement of the brain within the cranial space which may occur during head impacts. The device may reduce the occurrence of specific changes in the brain that are associated with brain injury. The FDA said data do not demonstrate the device can prevent concussion or serious head injury. The Q-Collar is also approved for use in Canada. “This action provides an additional piece of protective equipment athletes can wear when playing sports to help protect their brains from the effects of repetitive head impacts while still wearing the personal protective equipment associated with the sport,” said Christopher M. Loftus, M.D., acting director of the Office of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, or from an object that pierces the skull and enters the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2006 to 2014, the number of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths increased by 53%. Blunt trauma accidents, or accidents that involve being struck by or against an object, particularly sports-related injuries, are a major cause of TBI. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that anywhere from 1.6 million to 3.8 million sports- and recreationrelated TBIs are estimated to occur in the United States annually. When worn around the neck during sports activities, the Q-Collar provides compressive force to the internal jugular veins, which in turn increases the blood volume in the skull’s blood vessels. Typically, when people experience blunt trauma accidents, the brain moves unrestrained in the skull, which is known as a “slosh.” The Q-Collar’s increase in blood volume in those blood vessels creates a tighter fit of the brain inside the skull and reduces the “slosh” movement. By reducing the movement of the brain within the cranial space, the Q-Collar may aid in the protection of the brain from the effects of head impacts.
Canadian Tire Closing all National Sports Stores
Canadian Tire announced it is closing all 18 of its National Sports stores in southern Ontario by the end of June. The decision to shutter National Sports was part of Canadian Tire’s strategy to increase its efficiency and focus on its core businesses that include SportCheck. National Sports, which carries sportswear, shoes and gear, was launched in 1968 as National Gym Clothing Ltd.
Wilson Unveils New WNBA Game Ball
Wilson Sporting Goods Co., in partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), unveiled the league’s new official game ball before the start of the milestone 25th WNBA season.
“We are thrilled to be tipping off our partnership with the WNBA in advance of a historic 25th milestone season,” said Amanda Lamb, Global Marketing Director, Team Sports at Wilson. “Introducing the Evo NXT to the pinnacle of the women’s game, and announcing our first WNBA Advisory Staff member (three-time WNBA All-Star Liz Cambage), all in the midst of Women’s History Month, is truly a momentous occasion for Wilson.”
Made of 100% composite leather, the official WNBA game ball integrates Wilson’s Evo NXT construction featuring an enhanced grip and a soft moisture-minimalizing feel. The Wilson WNBA game ball will be available exclusively on wilson. com beginning May 3, and through select retailers, including WNBAStore.com, on May 17.
Volition America and Wilson Baseball announced a new collaboration in which the two brands introduced an extensive array of co-branded products across Wilson Baseball’s broad family of brands, including Wilson, DeMarini and EvoShield. The collaboration, which is expected to launch multiple products throughout 2021, will debut in June with a stunning red, white, and blue-themed line-up. The Volition America-Wilson Baseball collection — which will include Wilson gloves, hats and apparel, as well as DeMarini bats and EvoShield protective equipment — blends Wilson’s best-in-class product-development with Volition America’s signature look. With every piece sold under this collection, Wilson and Volition America donate a portion of the proceeds to support the families of our military heroes through FOLDS OF HONOR, a nonprofit foundation that provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen and disabled service members.
“At Wilson, we have a long history of giving back,” said Jim Hackett, General Manager of Wilson Baseball and Softball. “When we connected with the team at Volition we learned that their organization has a community of passionate supporters who are a great fit for our family of baseball brands. We’re honored to be working alongside Volition America and to benefit the families supported by the Folds of Honor Foundation.”
Trigon Sports Acquires Practice Partner
Trigon Sports Int’l, Inc., announced the acquisition of Practice Partner, Inc., located in Wilmington, North Carolina, effective March 1, 2021. Trigon Sports will acquire the Practice Partner assets, supply chain, and customer base. The merged business will continue operating in Memphis. The combined entities will bring additional depth to the existing ProCage™/Trigon Sports product line and expand their network of team sports dealers across the country. Practice Partner was founded in 1982 by Joseph Rajacich, a father of two little league ballplayers, who saw the need for a better way to practice at home. Under the leadership of Mr. Rajacich’s sons, Alex and Andrew, the Practice Partner group of products expanded into a full line of team sports training aids. Because of their reputation for both quality and results, Practice Partner quickly became a household name in youth sports. Chris Bawcum, Trigon Sports Vice-President, said, “We are excited to acquire the Practice Partner name and product line. We have personally known the Rajacichs for nearly 20 years. We look forward to the addition of Practice Partner’s products to our established ProCage™ line of sports equipment and adding their existing customer base to the Trigon family.”
Slinger Bag, Wilson Collaborate on Tennis Products
Slinger Bag and Wilson Sporting Goods announced a new strategic brand collaboration. Slinger Bag, an innovative sports brand focused on game improvement equipment will collaborate on co-branded products and promotional initiatives with Wilson, one of the world’s biggest tennis brands and a major sponsor of top tennis talent including Roger Federer and Serena Williams. Slinger Bag launchers are a lightweight and portable training product that enables tennis players to get out on court to play at any time without the need to find a playing partner - whether that be at their club, local park, on their driveways or in any other available open space. Wheeled like a trolley bag, and easily transported, Slinger Bag further offers players the versatility to store all their tennis gear including racquets, shoes, towels and accessories.
