NSGA NOW - September/October 2021

Volume 10 | No. 5 | September/October 2021

A PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL SPORTING GOODS ASSOCIATION

MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE & TEAM DEALER SUMMIT ISSUE

Back To Business At The Management Conference Analyzing First-Time Sports Participation in 2020 Good and Bad Ahead for Retail High School Rule Changes

The BEST in

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

4

14

INSIGHTS NOW Yoga had a significant number of first-time participants during 2020, according to the NSGA Sports Participation in the US Report. Find out which other sports and activities had significant first-time participation during a year impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

>> Photo on Page 37: The Sports Etc., staff with the Boston Pride’s Jillian Dempsey, who is holding the National Women’s Hockey League Isobel Cup.

7 8 11 13 17 19 20 25 26 37 39

CEO NOW

The Management Conference Is An Opportunity For Leaders To Get The Complete Picture

SUPPORTER CONTENT NOW

Stahls’

RETAIL NOW

The Good And Bad Ahead For Retail

SUPPORTER CONTENT NOW

PROLOOK

SUPPORTER CONTENT NOW

OrderMyGear

SUPPORTER CONTENT NOW

Ripon Athletic

SUPPORTER CONTENT NOW

Cap America

INDUSTRY NOW

Boost Oxygen Part Of All-Star Game Save, Play It Again Sports Partners With Blake Bolden, Winter Sports Market Changes

SUPPORTER CONTENT NOW

EG Pro

LOCKER ROOM NOW

NOCSAE Summer Meeting Recap; NFHS Rule Changes in Softball, Baseball and Track and Field

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT NOW

Give Me Five With Paul Stanton, Sports Etc.

SUPPORTER CONTENT NOW New Balance

NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021 | 3

CEO NOW We have amazing ways to communicate immediately.

Whether you are texting, e-mailing, using social media

NSGA OFFICERS

platforms or vehicles such as Teams Messaging or Zoom,

Chairman of the Board Pat Donnelley Donnelley Sports, Twin Falls, ID

you are just a few fingertip keystrokes from a discussion with someone.

But what about the art of true face-to-face conversation?

Treasurer/Chairman-Elect Greg Miller Universal Athletic, Bozeman, MT

It may not be as comfortable, but it can also be more revealing since discussions are less filtered, body language and facial expressions are apparent and key

Past Chairman David Labbe Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Bezanson Cleve’s Source for Sports, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Bob Fawley Capitol Varsity Sports, Oxford, OH Gordon Geiger Geiger’s, Lakewood, OH David Lynn Dunham’s Sports, Troy, MI Mick Montgomery Denver Athletic Supply, Englewood, CO Ron Rugal B&R Sporting Goods, Shelby Charter Township, MI Jerry Williams Schuylkill Valley Sports, Pottstown, PA NSGA TEAM LEADERS Matt Carlson President & CEO Marty Maciaszek Team Dealer Division, Communications Julie Pitts Director, Public Affairs and President, NSSRA Nick Rigitano Director, Insights and Analysis Jennifer Shaffer Comptroller

points may not get lost in translation.

Our opportunities to meet in person were not as readily available the last 18 months as they were under more normal circumstances. Fortunately, they have started opening up again and one of those great opportunities in our industry occurs at the end of September, when we are finally hosting the Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit again.

To say the NSGA staff is looking forward to getting together with members of our industry on September 26–28 in Naples, Florida is an understatement after the 2020 Conference was canceled because of the global pandemic. The Conference is great for me as the President & CEO of NSGA to get a direct line on the issues we should focus on and the areas where we can improve.

The same is true if you are a CEO or leader of a manufacturer or brand. The big concerns or issues retailers and dealers have may not always make it to your office. And when they do, you may not be getting the full story when it arrives second- or third-hand.

At the Management Conference you can get the details directly. There are tremendous opportunities for networking throughout the three days — at receptions, in a resort hallway before or after a speaker session or during the popular Speed Networking on Monday afternoon.

What you hear may not be candy-coated or filtered but it will be the full story on ways for you to better meet the expectations of the retailer and dealer community. You may not have an immediate solution to the problems but at least they are on your radar screen to bring back to your organization to address. There are many issues to tackle right now. Particularly when it comes to supply chain disruptions, price increases and product availability.

The Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit is also a great two-way street for communication. It is your opportunity as a CEO to offer your perspective to the challenges you have so retailers and dealers have a better understanding. If you have not already registered for the event in Florida, there is still time to do so and take part in these important conversations.

If you can’t make it this time, we hope to see you in May 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona, because your leadership presence is important to the success of everyone in the industry.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is one of many organizations NSGA monitors for important rule changes.

4 | NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021

NSGA NOW (ISSN 1045-2087) is published bi-monthly for members of the National Sporting Goods Association, 3041 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 210, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Phone: (847) 296-NSGA (6742); Fax: (847) 391-9827.

Subscription price of $50 per year is included in membership fee. Non-member subscription information available from publisher. Periodical postage paid at Downers Grove, IL 60515 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NSGA NOW,® 3041 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 210, Downers Grove, IL 60515. © NSGA 2021 all rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

THANK YOU TEAM DEALERS,

for being a part of our legacy!

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PLATINUM SUPPORTER

Stahls’ was known as Commercial Art Products when it was founded in 1932 and one of its first products sold was chenille lettering sown on a felt background. The felt was cut by hand and A.C. Stahl, who founded the company with his wife Ethel, eventually developed the process of cutting material by using a die and punch press. Stahls’ is well-known and respected throughout the sportswear, custom apparel, and promotional products industries for high-quality and innovative equipment, materials, and services.

The family values that helped Stahls’ succeed are still rooted deep in its culture and helped build the foundation to set up customers for success. Stahls’ success has also been recognized with the induction of Ted Stahl into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.

Can you share with everyone a little about your company and commitment to the dealer/retailer network?

Stahls’ began in 1932 in the family garage of the husband-and-wife team, A.C. and Ethel Stahl. The family business of lettering, screen printing, chenille and apparel decorating was sparked by a combination of A.C.’s entrepreneurial spirit and his prior work experience with felt material at a manufacturing facility.

Today, Stahls’ remains the innovator and leader in pre-cut and custom athletic numbers, letters, logos, CAD-CUT heat transfer vinyl and is the world’s largest manufacturer of heat presses. We pride ourselves on customer service, education and continued product innovation to keep teams — from Little League to the pros — outfitted with high-quality custom jerseys on demand.

What are some of the new/innovative products everyone should know about?

The latest in product innovation is our FlexStyle® emblem and patch product line. Dimensional logos and textured finishes are in demand for cutting-edge apparel decoration, especially with headwear. Thanks to this new lineup in custom logos, paired with our award-winning Hotronix® 360 IQ® Hat Heat Press – the profit potential is unlimited. You can select from a variety of options, including leather and 3-D embroidery.

In addition, we have stepped up our pre-cut number game with perforated names and numbers. This new add-on feature to our classic heat transfer vinyl names and numbers is a unique way to make each team stand out.

How have you adapted in the past yearand-a-half from COVID? Digital marketing and social media have become important ways for us to stay connected with our customers by keeping them engaged, educated and introducing them to our brand. We have always interacted in that way but doubled our efforts in that arena over the past year and a half. When COVID started, we went live with virtual education programs, gained over 100,000 YouTube followers, and have passed the 1 million views mark for one of our most popular YouTube videos. We have a solid team that has embraced changes in our industry and business. We are grateful to them for their ability to pivot and grow with these changes.

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Management Conference?

What do you find most valuable?

Meeting in person first and foremost! We have all had similar life-changing experiences this past year and have experienced all your efforts from a front-row seat online. With the sports world bouncing back strong and fast, we are ready to meet your new needs and expectations. We are all facing the same challenges and speak the same language.

We’re excited to continue to work together to enhance your custom apparel delivery systems.

STAHLS’ stahls.com

RETAIL NOW

Good News, Bad News Ahead for Retail

By Ritchie Sayner Advanced Retail Strategies First the good news … at least as I write this, business has bounced

hiring-post-pandemic). Not only will you find worthwhile ideas from

back nicely for most, especially in categories where sufficient product

this interview, but you will be able to gain access to the webinar

is available. We saw many cases where July sales actually exceeded

entitled, Talent Acquisition: Finding and Attracting the Right Talent

2019 levels. Couple the sales increases with lower inventory levels

for your Retail Business.

and the result is faster turn and better cash flow.

Certainly, this fall and perhaps well into 2022 and beyond, the retail

Now for the bad news … the aftermath of COVID-19 has created

landscape will endure its share of stock outs and supply chain

many challenges for the sporting goods industry, and retail in general,

interruptions. Whether caused by lower productivity at U.S. ports,

to deal with in the coming months. In no particular order, trouble

backups at ports in China, driver shortages here in the U.S., factory

spots include finding good help (or in some cases finding any help),

shutdowns, union issues, or lack of anticipation of retail demand at

rising prices because of inflation, stock shortages, supply chain

the wholesale level, the result is the same, anemic assortments or

interruptions and rises in COVID cases in some areas of the country.

empty shelves for products your customers want to buy. According

When it comes to finding good people, much has been extensively covered on this topic by Management One, the merchandise planning company I am affiliated with. In the interest of brevity and avoiding duplication, I will attach a link to an interview that Marc Weiss, Management One CEO, had with Kim Pagano of Publik Image ( https://www.management-one.com/blog/recruitment-and8 | NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021

to a well-respected equipment leasing consultant I have known for several years, the entire supply dilemma is analogous to a wave starting small at the beginning and getting bigger and bigger until it finally crashes into shore. According to this source, these supply chain disruptions will most likely not smooth out until Q1 or Q2 of 2022 at the earliest.

are rolling the dice by deciding what categories to gamble on (i.e., athletic shoes) by committing to future buys that exceed what they would normally place, as the concern is reorders and fill in orders might well be non-existent.

With business rebounding to 2019 levels and above, and supply issues impacting many products and entire categories, the question becomes how best to project inventory needs during this period of uncertainty? Hopefully you have a merchandise plan in place that incorporates sales trending to some degree. That will help you project short-term (Q4 of 2019 through Q2 of 2022) inventory requirements. One client I spoke with recently had just returned from a market, where she was counseled that if cash and space were available (both are), she would be well served to land all her Holiday goods now to make sure she would get everything needed.

Given the uncertainty of availability closer to need, I think that was good advice this year.

I am seeing many cases where business is currently up 50-plus percent over 2019 levels. Stores are selling everything they can get Currently the bike industry, as one example, is experiencing more than 12 months lag time from order to delivery. Some vendors, I am told, are even putting retailer purchases on allocation. I work with a relatively large bike retailer who, because of high demand and lack of product from key vendors, is turning the car-rack category 5.5 times. We’re not talking women’s dresses here folks, where I would expect fast inventory turnover, these are bike racks. Current on-order is now 3 months past due and retail prices that were $669 for a system are now going to set customers back $889, an

their hands on in many cases, creating faster inventory turnover and solid cash flow. My concern moving forward is that when supply chain issues level out, which they will, and sales levels normalize, which they will, is that if stock-to-sales ratios are not closely monitored by store and classification, the pendulum is likely to swing too far in the opposite direction, causing the undisciplined retailer to end up in an overstocked situation. That would be unfortunate but it is also easily preventable with accurate merchandise planning in place.

increase of nearly 33%. This is due to not only supply and demand, but also inflation.

There are some positives that have and will continue to surface

Ritchie Sayner

because of this dilemma. Supply chain interruptions have forced

Sayner has spent the past four

many retailers, including the one mentioned above, to develop

decades helping independent

relationships with alternative vendors. This has proven to be win-

retailers improve profitability.

win-win for vendor, retailer and consumer. The vendor gets a chance

In addition to speaking to retail

to perform at a store that has never carried their products before.

groups nationwide, Sayner is

The retailer gets to keep his inventory plan intact, albeit with an

a regular contributor to retail

alternate assortment plan, and the consumer gets the products

industry publications. Prior

they want. What many retailers are discovering through all of this

to embarking on his retail

is vendors, who in the past may not have been the first choice, are

consulting career, he was

becoming valued business partners.

All these issues make merchandise planning at the retail level much more challenging to say the least. Business is good - very good in many cases due to the economic rebound. An even better scenario would be if stores could schedule needed deliveries without having to book futures out a year in advance or overbuy in

the general merchandise manager for an independent department store in the Midwest. Ritchie is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He is also the author of the book, “Retail Revelations-Strategies for Improving Sales, Margins, and Turnover.” He can be reached though his website at www.advancedretailstrategies.com.

hopes of getting half of what they originally ordered. Many retailers NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021 | 9

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PLATINUM SUPPORTER

PROLOOK was founded 25 years ago by Dusty Rhodes, a college sophomore athlete who spent his days going from the classroom, to football practice, to the gym at night for a pick-up game. The entire team at PROLOOK shares the same never-ending drive to play and compete at their highest level. PROLOOK was one of the top 200 fastest growing companies in the U.S. per the Inc 500 in 2004 and in 2012 opened its sublimation print and heat press facilities. Because PROLOOK is a manufacturer first and a brand second, customers receive valuable assurance that the same company that is selling the product will stand responsible for that product lasting and looking great for years to come.

Can you share with everyone a little about your company and commitment to the dealer/retailer network?

PROLOOK SPORTS has manufactured the highest quality of team uniforms since 1996. We were the first brand to bring teams sewn-on tackle twill. We were direct for the first 20 years but in 2016, we switched entirely to the dealer network. We market our product and pass all leads directly to our dealers.

However, we are selective in who we bring on since we want to give dealers exclusive opportunity to distribute our products without other dealers undercutting them.

What are some of the new/innovative products everyone should know about?

We are known for customization of products at the factory in ways nobody else does. We were the first to offer a 1-ply reversible football jersey. We mix the best fabrics with twill and sublimation. We offer a 25% discount for all orders that give us at least 90 days to ship. We also have a full line of team uniforms that are fully customizable and ship within one week called QUICKTURN. Typically, we ship in two to three weeks, no pre-booking, any sport, any time of the year. There are no minimums and we don’t retire styles.

How have you adapted in the past yearand-a-half from COVID? COVID was arguably our best year. We got stronger. We expanded our product line and fabric offerings. Since we own and operate the factories and overstock in everything we didn’t see a dip in production or supply chain. We are better at training dealers from afar now. We also took the time to improve our already amazing product customizer with our 85-member tech staff.

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Management Conference?

We are looking forward to meeting all the dealers involved, building relationships and picking up a few dealers in strategic areas. There is truly no brand like ours.

PROLOOK prolook.com

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PLATINUM SUPPORTER

OrderMyGear started when Kent McKeaigg noticed his father Ronnie was spending hours buried under piles of paper order forms to organize and fulfill product for local high school teams. Building an eCommerce platform to facilitate those orders allowed Kent to solve Ronnie’s problem, but Kent found that this solution would help thousands of other individuals like his father. A passion for innovating our services and platform, along with our focus on client success, makes OMG one-of-a-kind in the industry. Our relentless focus on creating and strengthening mutually beneficial relationships allows industry brands and partners the chance to service end consumers in the modern way they have come to expect. This, in turn, allows decorators, dealers, and distributors to enhance their customer offering and remain competitive in an increasingly technology-centered market.

What are some of the new/innovative products everyone should know about?

OMG creates modern solutions that increase sales without increasing your workload. Here are key product innovations we’re excited to share with you: • Redesigned Storefronts: drive revenue with modern buying experiences • Custom Domains: achieve branding consistency and visibility • Live Inventory Feeds: view live feeds from top brands • Email Authentication: build trust with heightened online store security • ShipStation Integration: provide convenient shipping options • Product Library: benefit from the most robust product database in the industry • [ Coming soon!] Year-Round Stores: seize new sales opportunities with year-round bookstores or spiritwear sites

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Management Conference?

What do you find most valuable?

The NSGA Management Conference is a highlight of our year because it provides the opportunity to interact with the brightest minds in our industry. As our industry continues to grow and evolve, we are able to use the Management Conference as an opportunity to collaborate with our peers and partners to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. The sporting goods industry is where OMG was born and listening to feedback from clients and peers allows us to continue building our platform in a way that moves our industry forward together.

Can you share with everyone a little about your company and commitment to the dealer/retailer network?

OMG is a purpose-built online store solution that has serviced team dealers from day one. This means our modern platform was specifically designed to simplify the team ordering process, eliminating the headache of manual tasks. Our team dealers see business growth because OMG partners with our clients, offering powerful, data-backed strategies, award-winning and unlimited support and training and more. The OMG Team is committed to tackling challenges facing the team industry so dealers can open revenue opportunities and maximize sales.

How have you adapted in the past yearand-a-half from COVID? As the technology leader in the sporting goods industry, OMG utilized time, resources and money in gathering real-time data to understand the impact COVID had on our industry. This data showed what strategies worked - like fundraising efforts - and we supported dealers in pivoting to seize those opportunities. Data continues to be a powerful tool in our partnership with clients to drive sales. Asking the right questions, we are able to use this data to create a knowledge base of actionable insights that generates revenue for dealers.

ORDER MY GEAR ordermygear.com

INSIGHTS NOW

COVID-19 Impact on First-Time Participation in 2020

By Nick Rigitano NSGA Director of Insights and Analysis COVID-19 altered our lifestyles significantly for most of 2020. The pandemic led people to consider alternatives for their athletic and fitness activities.

NSGA’s 2021 editions of the Sports Participation in the United States reports, released earlier this year, revealed which sports/ activities flourished and which ones struggled during the 2020 pandemic year. Further analysis of study results also shed light on which sports/activities people were most likely to try for the first time during the COVID-19 months of March 2020–December 2020.

According to NSGA’s participation study, exercise walking had 11.6 million first-time participants during these months (March 2020-December 2020), which was the most among the 64 sports and recreational activities tracked by NSGA (Figure 1).

14 | NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021

The sport of boxing, which can also be done by people looking for fitness benefits, had the fourth-highest percentage of first-time participants at 41 percent. In-home video workout and danceoriented fitness activities were fifth and sixth on the list at 38 percent and 35 percent, respectively. Sports outside of fitness, touch football (34 percent) and pickleball (33 percent), occupied the seventh and eighth spots, while spin/power cycling (33 percent) and surfing (32 percent) closed out the list at spots nine and 10, respectively.

As part of NSGA’s study, participants were also asked if they planned to continue to participate in their respective sport(s) during 2021.

The activities shown in Figure 3 represent those with the highest percentage of participants who planned to continue participating in 2021. It is important to note, however, that this line of questioning often results in survey respondents overestimating their likelihood of participating. Certain insights can still be gleaned from the data, The next three spots on the list of the most first-time participants during the pandemic months were also fitness activities - yoga (8.8 million), inhome video workout (6.8 million) and exercising with equipment (5.2 million). Camping (vacation/overnight) was the non-fitness activity that was tried the most during the same time frame at 5.1 million people.

Returning to the theme of first-time fitness participants, 5.1 million people tried aerobic exercising, 4.8 million tried cross-training and

though. Directionally speaking, these activities appear to be the least at risk of losing their participants compared to other activities with much lower percentages.

For the sports/activities that saw a significant amount of first-time participation during the 2020 pandemic months, it is the hope that the exposure to these new sports/activities can lead to continued interest in participating for years to come.

4.7 million people tried running/jogging. The last two spots on the list were swimming and high-intensity interval training, which were tried by 4.6 million and 4.3 million people, respectively.

Another way to examine first-time participation during the 2020 pandemic months is to look at the concentration of first-time participants for a given sport or recreational activity (Figure 2).

Study results show the activity of cross-training having the highest percentage of first-time participants with 51 percent. Similarly, 47 percent of boot camp/weekend warrior participants and 43 percent of suspension training participants tried the activities for the first time during the same period.

NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021 | 15

SILVER SUPPORTER

The roots of Ripon Athletic were formed a century ago when John Sand founded SandKnit, which was known for its full line of custom athletic uniforms, award sweaters and jackets. Hank Derleth was with SandKnit from 1963-84 and then joined Ripon Awardjackets as president. The company changed to Ripon Athletic and grew and in 1992 acquired all the SandKnit machinery, equipment and its former plant in Berlin, Wisconsin. Ripon’s products are manufactured and sold through team dealers and it has many high school, collegiate and professional customers in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. Sand and Derleth were honored for their successes with induction into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.

Can you share with everyone a little about your company and commitment to the dealer/retailer network?

Who we are is a tale of three companies: Sand Knit, Ripon Jacket and Ripon Athletic. Celebrating Sand Knit’s 100th anniversary in 2021 has allowed us to appreciate who we are, the people who helped us and refresh our view for the future. The history and actions of these three companies show the commitment we have as well as the importance of relationships in the dealer network.

What are some of the new/innovative products everyone should know about?

• Our No. 4061 Edge football jersey is a leader in the market for fit, performance, durability and design. It provides every football player the opportunity to wear a true and tested professional-grade jersey.

• Versa jerseys: Using our “in-house” Dyfuze (sublimation) capabilities, we are able to provide basketball, baseball and softball jerseys that are one layer but reversible with two different looks. Our Ultra Flex fabric provides a high end, quality jersey with very little grin through. Versa jerseys provide great flexibility and performance for teams.

How have you adapted in the past yearand-a-half from COVID? We were declared non-essential in March 2020. After viewing the COVID landscape, we immediately asked ourselves how can we use our manufacturing capacity to help our neighbors. In less than 7 business days, our team R&D’d (researched and developed) and began producing what would become 5300+ reusable gowns for the Wisconsin Sheriff’s Department and 30,000+ fabric masks. We adapted because we have great people! I can’t say enough about our group’s effort that saw them give of themselves to help others. That energy propelled us forward as we came back to work producing uniforms and jackets to meet customer needs.

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Management Conference?

What do you find most valuable?

The speakers are always a positive aspect of the Conference. There is always something to learn listening to them. But especially given the past year of “safer at home,” we look forward to seeing and visiting with others in person.

• 1750 Women’s Award jacket: This traditional award jacket is patterned to fit women who are seeking a tapered or athletic fit. It has become a jacket of choice for the female students across the country.

RIPON ATHLETIC riponathletic.com

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SILVER SUPPORTER

Cap America was founded in 1985 in Fredericktown, Missouri and the small town and people in it helped it grow into the successful business it is today. We strive to make the purchase of headwear a confident and easy experience and you will partner with a valuable resource willing to go the extra mile and earn and keep your business. Cap America also strives to be an active participant in the community and to give back to those who supported us all these years.

Can you share with everyone a little about your company and commitment to the dealer/retailer network?

Cap America is family owned and operated out of Fredericktown, Missouri.

We have been leaders in the promotional industry for 35+ years and are excited to be fully committed to the dealer/retailer network. We are backed with inventory and have the capacity to turn orders faster than the dealer network has ever before experienced. We offer the tools dealers need to be successful selling headwear – free concepts, free spec samples, free digitizing and an outstanding customer service team dedicated to making sure your Cap America experience is efficient and rewarding.

How have you adapted in the past yearand-a-half from COVID? As with all employers across the country, we adapted by changing our direction last year to masks. This year, things are coming back stronger than ever with our traditional product line. We have been staffing up and facing the difficulties in stride, head on. We spent pandemic downtime making improvements – we spent time educating and training our staff, upgrading building facilities, increasing inventory buys – anything we could do to better prepare ourselves for when business returned. We’re now back in full swing and ready to partner with dealers for success.

What are some of the new/innovative products everyone should know about?

In the summer of 2020, we partnered with Yupoong to offer our new CA Premium Line. This line is co-branded with Flexfit® and brings the most retail inspired materials and fits to the dealer/retail network. Our i8502 is simply the best trucker, not only in our new line, but on the market right now. This cap includes the innovative 110® technology which combines the comfort of Flexfit® with the ease of an adjustable hat. The i8502 and the other CA Premium Line items are going to be hot this year.

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Management Conference?

We are looking forward to meeting new people, socializing and talking caps! Seriously in all honesty, it will be great to talk about the industry with industry leaders again.

CAP AMERICA capamerica.com

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Sporting Goods Association, did not sponsor nor compensate for

in the evolution of glove design with its release

this placement and usage. Boost continues to be organically adopted

of the REV1X series of baseball gloves.

by professional athletes for its efficacy, portable convenience, ease

In development for several years, the REV1X used the Carbon Digital

of use, and high quality.

Light Synthesis (DLS™) process to develop an optimized lattice

Founded in 2007, the innovation by Boost for making purified

structure. The REV1X also has several unique design attributes,

supplemental oxygen available to all athletes, in the retail space, is the lightweight and portable containers with an easy-to-use and patented mask design. The 95% pure oxygen, commonly referred to as ‘Aviators Breathing Oxygen’ is 100% safe and natural for use by

including a lace-less web, adaptive fit system and Heart of the Hide® leather palm and gusset. The glove’s advanced manufacturing processes combined with its high-quality materials yield an ultralightweight, form-fitting, game-ready glove that provides athletes

all ages. This non-prescription form allows it to be made available

with consistent playability.

in the retail setting.

Rawlings has been a National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA)

Boost Oxygen is currently available in trusted sporting goods

member since 1987.

retailers nationwide.

Play It Again Sports Partners with Women’s Hockey Trailblazer Blake Bolden Play It Again Sports and Winmark – the Resale Company™ announced a formal partnership with Blake Bolden, a trailblazer in women’s hockey who competed in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) and is a pro scout for the Los Angeles Kings, to sponsor her inspiring girls mentorship program - emBolden her. The free six-month mentorship program will welcome 25 female hockey participants, ages 13–16, from across North America and support

Winter Sports Market Announces Show Changes Winter Sports Market (WSM) announced it will no longer be just a buying group show serving the winter sports community of specialty retailers and manufacturers, beginning in January 2022. WSM said the move is in response to the changes of supply chain lead times, the Internet, national trade show consolidation and the evolution of regional shows that have

and empower them as they navigate and become trailblazers in

occurred during the 25-plus years of its show.

the world of ice hockey.

WSM said it will work with the supplier community to extend

Lucky winners will be selected by Bolden and Winmark and

invitations to select retailers and suppliers not affiliated with the

announced via email on September 10, 2021. The program will meet virtually once per month for 90 minutes and will run from October 2021 to March 2022. Discussions will include a variety of

major buying groups and invite them to attend the show. WSM said it is compelled to bring more value and efficiency to the winter sports industry — both manufacturing and retail components.

topics, from mental preparation and goal-setting to self-motivation

WSM will offer a standard booth format in the main exhibit space

and time management, as well as a special guest speaker.

or, if exhibitors choose, a limited number of private meeting spaces

Bolden’s hockey journey began at age 6 when she got her first set

that can become a brand’s showroom to host customers.

of hockey gear at her local Play It Again Sports. Since then, Bolden

The dates for the upcoming shows at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt

has gone on to make history as the first Black women’s hockey

Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City are:

player to compete in the NWHL and the second woman to ever 20 | NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021

• January 20 – 22, 2022 • January 19 – 21, 2023 • January 30 – February 1, 2024.

WSM is by invitation only. For more information email buyer_info@ wintersportsmarket.com or exhibit_info@wintersportsmarket.com.

Wilson Unveils New NBA, NCAA Basketballs Wilson unveiled its new official game balls

very excited to collaborate with their team on a wide variety of growth and development initiatives. This is a sport that has so many amazing qualities – it’s highly accessible, it keeps people active, and it brings people together in a fun yet competitive way.”

CSGA Appoints New President & CEO The Canadian Sporting Goods Association (CSGA) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Jon Irwin as the association’s new President &

for the NBA and the NCAA men’s and

CEO, effective July 1. Irwin’s appointment came after an extensive

women’s basketball tournaments.

search to replace Julian Savory, who retired after eight years of

The new Wilson NBA ball is in advance of the NBA’s 75th anniversary season.

rebuilding the association to spend more time with his family and community on the west coast.

Wilson was the NBA’s official basketball manufacturer for the

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Jon take on the leadership of

league’s first 37 seasons and replaces Spalding. The Wilson NBA

the CSGA during a very transformative time for the sporting goods

ball is made of the same materials, eight-panel configuration and

industry,” said Brad Hause, CSGA Chairman of the Board of Directors

performance specifications as the Spalding basketballs.

and President of Sports Distributors of Canada (SDC).

The Evo NXT will be the new official game ball for the NCAA men’s

“I could not be more grateful and excited to accept the position

and women’s basketball championships and the National Invitation

of President and CEO of the CSGA. The association is poised to

Tournament (NIT). The Evo NXT will feature the NCAA logo with

further develop its vision and build on the momentum that Julian

gold foil embellishments and will be used beginning with the

has created over the past 8 years,” Irwin said.

2021–22 season.

Wilson has been a member of the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) since 1950.

Franklin Sports Partners with USA Pickleball Franklin Sports signed a multi-year partnership agreement with USA Pickleball. As part of the agreement, Franklin’s signature X-40 ball becomes the Official Ball of USA Pickleball, which provides opportunities for all players, including organizing and hosting a wide variety of regional and national pickleball tournaments on an annual basis.

Franklin Sports and USA Pickleball will also be partnering on growth initiatives for the sport, including working towards the goal of making pickleball a Demonstration Sport at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The two organizations will work together to develop pickleball programming for schools while also increasing the sport’s presence at retail stores across the country.

“Pickleball is just scratching the surface of what we believe it can become as a sport, and our pickleball partnerships and growing product collection reflect that belief,” said Adam Franklin, president of Franklin Sports. “We share USA Pickleball’s vision of bringing this incredible game to the forefront of the sports world, so we’re

Mike Trimboli Elected President of USA Hockey Mike Trimboli, who has been involved in grassroots hockey as a player, coach, official and administrator for parts of the last six decades, was elected president of USA Hockey. The Massena, New York, native began his formal engagement with what was at the time the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (today USA Hockey) on the local outdoor rinks as a player in 1970. In 1979 he became an on-ice official and added youth hockey coach to his resume in 1984.

He was elected to the USA Hockey Board of Directors as a director from the New York District in 2005. Since that time has served as a director representative to the Executive Committee and also been part of the Marketing Council, Junior Council, Player Development Committee and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. He was elected as a vice president of USA Hockey and chair of the organization’s Marketing Council in 2017 and has concurrently served on the USA Hockey Foundation Board of Directors.

Trimboli succeeds Jim Smith, who served the past six years as president and played a significant role in the advancement of the sport over the past 30-plus years as one of the most active volunteers in the organization.

NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021 | 21

Thank you to our Supporters* PLATINUM

SPEED NETWORKING AND TEAM DEALER SUMMIT

SILVER

BRONZE

SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDERS

MEDIA

*as of press time

SILVER SUPPORTER

EG-PRO Performance Gear is a factory direct manufacturer of blank athletic apparel designed and engineered for screen-printing, embroidery and sublimation decoration processes. For the past 20 years we have been behind-the-scenes manufacturing and importing blank apparel for some of the industry’s giants so we have carried their reputations firmly on our shoulders. We are 100% vertical, which is how we can develop and introduce new fabrics on a consistent basis. We believe you will fall in love with our advanced fabrics, performance technologies, high quality, attentive customer service and revolutionary prices.

Can you share with everyone a little about your company and commitment to the dealer/retailer network?

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Management Conference?

What do you find most valuable?

We are a vertical company that owns its fabric mills and factories overseas.

While most companies are dealing with supply chain issues due to the pandemic, it is actually not a problem for us. As a true manufacturer, we stock sufficient inventory in our warehouse in Kansas. With over 20 years of experience in this industry, we know how important it is to keep color consistency across our stocked products. We are also able to fulfill factorydirect custom orders if customers want to do a custom piece (at customers’ request), and we deliver with competitive prices and lead time.

We are looking forward to the round table forums. This will give EG-PRO as a manufacturer the opportunity to visit with dealers and find out what they are looking for from us. We will also be able to introduce our line to them.

What are some of the new/innovative products everyone should know about?

We are adding more colors to our existing assortment. Most importantly, we are adding a brand-new fleece this Winter. It’s 280 gsm, 100% polyester cotton hand. Perfect for sublimation.

How have you adapted in the past yearand-a-half from COVID? Although we did deal with tough times during the COVID outbreak, we were able to get through it. Now that things are starting to open up again, we believe there will be more opportunities than ever, for both our customers and ourselves.

EG PRO egpro.com

LOCKER ROOM NOW Specifications for High School Softballs to Change in 2025 New softball specifications will go into effect in 2025 and a number of other rule changes affecting equipment and apparel go into effect in the 2022 season in high school softball.

The revisions were recommended by the National Federation of

Rule 6-2-2 — The following language was moved to a Note to provide support to keep pitchers legal but removed the discrepancy in penalties from Rule 3-2-9: “A pitcher shall not wear any item on the pitching hand, wrist, arm or thighs which the umpire judges to be distracting to the batter.”

Two changes involving the wearing of head coverings and beads were among the rules revisions. In Rule 3-2-5b, language that previously prohibited hard items to control the hair, including beads, has been removed from the rules book. The committee did not believe that the use of hard items, such as beads, presented an injury risk to other players. In contrast, the prohibition of such items has been interpreted as adversely affecting one’s

State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee

cultural background.

and were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

In addition, head coverings worn for religious reasons in high school

The new ball specifications for 12-inch fast pitch softball will have

softball no longer will require prior approval from the respective

a compression of 325 pounds with a plus-minus of 50 (range of 275–375 pounds). The minimum weight will increase from 6¼ to 6½ ounces with a maximum of 7 ounces and the circumference will be 11⅞ to 12¼ inches. USA Softball will also be adopting the

state high school association. The revised Rule 3-2-5c states that “head coverings worn for religious reasons must be made of nonabrasive, soft materials and must fit securely so that it is unlikely to come off during play. Head coverings worn for medical reasons

same standards in 2025.

require state association approval.”

The new ball specifications are permissible currently and will be

The Softball Rules Committee is one of eight NFHS sports rules

required for use in high school competition starting January 1, 2025.

Balls manufactured with the current specifications will be permitted for use through the 2024 season. The changes do not represent a difference in ball performance but allow for better control over the manufacturing process, according to the release from NFHS. A new article and penalty were added to Rule 3-6 regarding damaged bats. Article 21 states that “batters shall not use a damaged bat that was previously removed from the game by an umpire.” And the accompanying penalty is as follows: “The batter shall be called out and the offender and head coach shall be restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game.”

Other high school softball changes for 2022 include the following: Rule 1-2-1 — Bases for first, second and third may be designed to disengage from their anchor system. This language was added to Rule 1 where all field and equipment rules exist. Similar language is already addressed in Rule 8-8-14 EFFECT, which states that a runner reaching a base safely will not be out for being off the base if it becomes dislodged.

Rule 3-5-3 — New language defines what is permissible attire for coaches during a game. Any time a coach is in a live-ball area to confer with players or an umpire, or to occupy a coach’s box, the coach shall be attired in a school uniform or jersey/coaching shirt with slacks, shorts or other leg coverings in school colors of khaki, black, white or gray. Cutoffs or any types of jeans are prohibited.

Jackets are not considered part of the coach’s uniform.

26 | NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021

committees that has modified rules this year related to religious and cultural backgrounds. In addition to softball, participants in volleyball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, track and field/cross country and spirit will be permitted to wear religious headwear without prior approval from their respective state association. In swimming and diving, for religious reasons, competitors will be able to wear suits that provide full body coverage without obtaining prior state association authorization.

NFHS Makes Uniform Changes in Track and Field Two rules revisions involving the competitor’s uniform highlight rules changes in high school track and field and cross country for the 2022 season by NFHS. One change in the track and field uniform concerns the uniform bottoms. Beginning next year, the manufacturer’s logo/trademark/ reference on the uniform bottom may be larger than 2¼-square inches around the waistband.

“In track and field, uniform bottoms are increasingly being purchased by the athlete and not school-issued,” said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Committee. “It is becoming more difficult to purchase some garments without the logo completely around the waistband.

Since allowing larger logos around the waistband has no bearing or impact on the race or event, the committee determined the

change would minimize issues related to logo/trademark/reference on uniform bottoms.”

The Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Committee also altered its rules regarding head coverings worn for religious reasons.

Equipment Gets Point of Emphasis in NFHS Baseball Wearing equipment as intended by manufacturers is one of five Points of

Rule 4-3-1b(8) now states that ”head coverings worn for religious

Emphasis by the NFHS Baseball Rules

reasons are not considered hair devices; must not be made of

Committee for the 2022 season.

abrasive, hard or unyielding materials; and must be secured to the

Two key issues have been reported to

body and/or uniform.” The change clarifies that there is no need for

the NFHS, according to Elliot Hopkins, director of sports and student

prior authorization from the state association for religious headwear.

services and liaison to the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee. Wrist

One change was approved in Rule 8 related to cross country and

placards used for signals are being worn on belt loops instead of

another in Rule 9 regarding records. A note was added to Rule 8-1-

the wrist and players are attaching a shaded shield instead of a

1a stating that “a single wide line, if used on turns, should utilize

clear shield to catcher’s masks.

other methods of markings (natural or artificial boundary markers, or signposts with large directional arrows) to assist the runner in identifying the course route.”

NFHS Will Not Allow Athletes to Profit from NIL While the NCAA will allow college athletes

“Points of Emphasis are used in an educational setting and fashion,” Hopkins said. “The rules committee is telling the baseball community that these topics — elaborately choreographed celebrations, wearing of equipment inappropriately, sitting on buckets, understanding the lodged ball and a call for increased positive sportsmanship — are paramount in education-based athletics. This is a wonderful game that allows an abundant number of participants to find a role on

to profit from their own Name, Image and

the team, and we want students to want to play for their school

Likeness (NIL), NFHS Executive Director Dr.

and be a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Karissa Niehoff said this would not occur in high school athletics. Niehoff, in a weekly NFHS Voice column, said current high school student-athletes cannot earn money from their connection to their high school team.

NCAA Approves Permanent Rules Change for Uniform Patches In order to create more consistency on uniforms and to allow for more

“High school sports, with almost eight million participants nationwide,

decipherable patches, the NCAA Playing

are much different than college sports,” Niehoff wrote. “High school

Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) approved the

sports are about the team — not an individual’s own personal

following permanent rules change for all

pursuit of excellence. The primary reason that an overwhelming

sports effective with the 2021–22 seasons:

majority of high school students play sports is to have fun and

• Increase the maximum size of conference, institutional,

spend significant and meaningful time with their peers. The focus is not on self but rather the team.

“Some have argued that high school student-athletes should be able to profit from their own NIL because they are ‘working’ for their school. Very simply, the privilege afforded millions of boys and girls to play not only sports in high school, but also to participate in other activities such as speech, debate, band and theatre is not work. It is a part of the overall high school experience, which, when combined with academic studies, prepares these students for life as adults in their chosen careers.”

Niehoff said another related issue to the approval of NIL laws in college is the impact on recruiting. She said prospective studentathletes must not be influenced by NIL inducements until they are fully enrolled at an NCAA college or university.

commemorative, memorial and social justice patches from 2¼ to 4 square inches in all sports, with the exception of football and swimming and diving.

• In football, patches must not exceed 16 square inches in area.

• In swimming and diving, patches must not exceed 9 square inches in area.

• The number of allowable patches on the uniform remains unchanged.

• Patches are still required to be in the proper location on the uniform per each sport’s playing rules.

• In accordance with NCAA Bylaw 12.5.4, manufacturer’s logos in all sports remain restricted to a maximum of 2¼ square inches.

NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021 | 27

LOCKER ROOM NOW

NOCSAE Summer Standards Meeting Recap

By Marty Maciaszek NSGA Team Dealer Division Director

Tom Van Jacobs NSGA Marketing Coordinator

The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic

youth helmets by the Southern Impact Research Center (SIRC). It

Equipment (NOCSAE) held its Summer Standards Committee

recommends having two impact velocities and two pass/fail criteria

meeting on July 23. The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA)

within the same standard to account for the two distinct age groups

attended the meeting virtually and provides this recap:

(ages 5-8 and 9-14) that fall within the youth age category.

NOCSAE approved an effective date for standard ND200-21, the

The standard would have the same drop test as current standard

Test Method and Performance Specification Used in Evaluating The

ND002. Would have different Pneumatic Ram and a helmet mass

Performance of Protectors for Commotio Cordis, of Jan. 31, 2023.

limit of 3.5lb. The pass/fail would be for all headform sizes and

For impact protocol, the protector will be positioned according

not just medium.

to the manufacturers fitting instructions. The board accepted

Standard ND201-21 Laboratory Procedural Guide for Certifying

the revisions.

Newly Manufactured Protectors for commotio cordis. This

The change to the standard does not prohibit a manufacturer who

modification updates the document to reflect changes made to

meets the new standard earlier than the effective date of Jan. 31,

performance standard.

2023 from bringing a product to market. Products in compliance

Possible standard development for non-contact (flag) football

with ND200-19 can continue to be sold after the Jan. 31, 2023 effective date but can no longer be manufactured.

“The new standard does not obsolete product currently certified in

headgear continued to be discussed. NOCSAE vice president Dr. Robert Cantu said “hard data is not available. The question not known is if regular football helmets will be safer than anything less,

the field,” said Mike Oliver, NOCSAE Executive Director.

but do you need that degree of safety?”

NOCSAE confirmed there are no plans to have a fast-pitch softball

Oliver mentioned that problems with flag football are significant

standard for commotio cordis at this time.

injuries to the face and facial, nose and orbital fractures.

“The number of commotio cordis events documented in fast-pitch softball is zero or maybe one,” Oliver said. “It’s a different ball with a different diameter and different mass.”

Standard ND081-18am21 Pneumatic Ram Test Method made a modification and added equipment specifications for youth helmet testing.

ND006-21 Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Youth Football Helmets. The proposed standard is still in draft status. The NOCSAE Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) offered updated recommendations based on testing of current 28 | NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021

NOCSAE also reaffirmed these standards for five more years: • ND043-11m16 Standard Performance Specification for Recertified Lacrosse Helmets • ND035-11m16 Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Ice Hockey Face Protectors • ND032-11m16 Standard Performance Specification for Recertified Ice Hockey Helmets • ND030-11m16 Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Ice Hockey Helmets

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT NOW

GIVE ME 5 WITH

Paul Stanton

Owner, Sports Etc., Arlington, Massachusetts

Recipe for Success in the Competitive Boston Market Long ago, we realized the key to our success was predicated on narrowing our focus to hockey. Our current store is over 8,000 square feet, almost exclusively dedicated to hockey. As the industry has grown, we have adapted as well, continually working to improve the customer shopping experience. We offer 3D skate fitting from Bauer which truly changed the way we sell skates. We have synthetic ice in our goal section allowing customers to improve their pad-fitting experience. Most recently, we added a shooting booth in the store enabling the consumer to demo sticks prior to purchasing. These are some examples of improvements but it's our focus on customer service which truly makes us stand apart from the competition.

A Good Career Choice After graduating from college in 1985, the job market was tough and while waiting for

Benefits of HDA/NSGA

things to open up I took a job at my local

It's been a very challenging year, but our affiliation with

sporting goods store Sports Etc., which was

HDA/NSGA has been a huge benefit to us. We feel

owned by Vin and Margie Phaneuf. It was a

like we have somewhere to turn for help, whether it's

small 800-square foot general sporting goods

navigating PPP loans or negotiating better deals with

store with a focus on hockey. I never thought

companies for freight or discounts. People like Tom

it would develop into such worthwhile career.

Van Jacobs and Marty Maciaszek at HDA/NSGA truly care about all its members and it's very rewarding to know they have our back. The last thing I love about the membership is it brings us together with other businesses across the country to share ideas and solutions. We are stronger as a group than as one. I highly recommend the HDA/NSGA.

More Challenging Times Ahead As the season approaches, our biggest challenges will be inventory. COVID has affected us in many ways. There are still outbreaks overseas affecting manufacturing, raw materials shortages, as well major

Hockey is a Loyal and Fulfilling Community

supply chain issues. It's the perfect storm,

Hockey customers are the best, they are dedicated, loyal and always willing to help others.

consequently we are working extra hard

The fun part of the hockey industry is watching and helping children grow into adults.

to get enough goods to the end consumer.

Hockey players start at an early age of 4 or 5 and we see them every year through college.

It's not an exclusive problem to the sporting

The maturation period is incredible and very rewarding to see. The game teaches children

goods industry but one that makes it difficult

so much in life. It's just a wonderful sport.

to grow or maintain existing business.

NSGA NOW ®

>> September/October 2021 | 37

SILVER SUPPORTER

New Balance stands for something bigger than sneakers as we champion those who are fearlessly driven by their passions. We elevate sport and we do right by people and the planet. Our job is to aid athletes in their pursuits, whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.

New Balance has been rooted in innovation since William Riley, a young English immigrant, designed his first flexible arch insert in 1906. That innovation and entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive the business with quality, craftsmanship and some risk-taking.

Can you share with everyone a little about your company and commitment to the dealer/retailer network?

New Balance was recognized as the recipient of “Athletic Brand of the Year” in 2020, which was a proud accomplishment for our 115 years in business as an athletic brand. In 2016, we reinvigorated our team business to meet the needs of clubs, travel teams and institutions as an authentic performance brand committed to the team dealer, athlete, coach and fan base. We’ve successfully launched our team sports platform, HYPERLINK “http://www. newbalanceteam.com” www.newbalanceteam.com, featuring premium custom products including uniforms, training apparel, and footwear for baseball, fastpitch, basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field.

How have you adapted in the past yearand-a-half from COVID? Our objective was to educate our customers around industry-wide inventory disruptions, shipping concerns and global supply issues while continuously improving service levels and fulfilling team orders as quickly as possible. We adapted to collaborative video calls, overcommunicating with our partners, leading to increased brand loyalty with our customers.

Our commitment to quick-turn custom uniforms allowed us to meet marketplace needs despite uncertainty. Being a $5B private company allowed us larger investments in practice apparel categories giving dealers an alternative when brands were unable to deliver. NBTeam is proud to have 30+ salespeople focused on driving dealer business through difficult times by increasing outreach and closure to ensure success in 2021!

What are some of the new/innovative products everyone should know about?

NB Hoops is made for the fearlessly independent player who wants to rewrite the rules.

Our TWO WXY footwear is built for the position-less style of play. Hyperengineered for speed and agility at both ends of the court, it’s a performance shoe packed with tech for that explosive moment when you switch from offense to defense and back. Our sublimated basketball uniform features a reversible design with customized color, number, and logo in men/women/ youth sizes delivered in 2 weeks. Adjustable shorts lengths and silicone waist bands keep athletes focused on their game.

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Management Conference?

We know team dealers are a vital segment of our business, and it is important that we continue to build a strong relationship with NSGA. We also recognize the value of NSGA affiliates and look forward to expanding our connections within the industry.

NEW BALANCE newbalanceteam.com

Save the Date May 22 – 24, 2022 | Scottsdale, Arizona