SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
VOLUME 15 | NO. 5
INTRODUCING THE 2027 CLASS OF THE SPORTING GOODS INDUSTRY
H A L L OF FA M E
KURT AINSWORTH MARUCCI SPORTS
KELLY RICHARDSON RICHARDSON
A PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL SPORTING GOODS ASSOCIATION
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 6 16
CEO NOW Congratulations to the Hall of Fame Class of 2027
INDUSTRY NOW Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure Emphasizes Prostate Cancer Detection
RECOGNITION NOW Introducing the Hall of Fame Class of 2027
17 K urt Ainsworth
(Marucci Sports)
18 K elly Richardson
12
22 INDUSTRY NOW
F ormer Sporting Goods Executive Craig Levra Hopes to Connect PRIDE Industries, Which Provides Employment for Adults with Disabilities, with the Industry
6
28
24 28 30 33 35
(Richardson)
CONFERENCE NOW Susan Sly Empowers Your Use of AI
CONFERENCE NOW Making the Sale with Promotional Products
INSIGHTS NOW A Deep Dive into the Changes in Sports Participation in 2025
RETAIL NOW Avoiding the Inventory Traps
NEWS NOW Don Leonard Retires; NFHS Leadership Changes; High School Rule Change Updates; More Rules and Industry Updates
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT NOW Give Me Five with Chad Bollweg, League Outfitters
SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2026
<<3
CEO NOW
K
urt Ainsworth and Kelly Richardson were adept at executing the right pitches on the baseball field.
Ainsworth became an All-American at powerful Louisiana State University and made it to the major leagues. Richardson reached the Division I level at the University of Oregon.
Their focus changed when their competitive days on the pitcher’s mound ended. They set out to deliver products of the highest quality that would enhance the experience for sports participants. And Ainsworth and Richardson have delivered at a Cy Young Award level. They have achieved the industry’s highest honor with their selection for induction in the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2027. Kurt Ainsworth went from trying to make the lives of hitters miserable to memorable when he started Marucci Bat Company in 2004 with handcrafted wood bats he made in the backyard shed of his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Five years later he co-founded Marucci Sports as the business expanded into a full assortment of baseball and softball equipment. Marucci grew through a combination of quality products and acquisitions of other equipment companies. As a result, Marucci became the No. 1-used bat for Major League Baseball players and along with Victus, one of the brands under its umbrella, they were named the Official Bats of Major League Baseball in 2025. Kelly Richardson left the mound when he realized a pro career wasn’t likely and joined the Richardson family business owned by his father.
NSGA OFFICERS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Hard goods were one of Richardson’s specialties when Kelly took over as President and CEO in the mid-1990s.
GORDON GEIGER Geiger’s, Lakewood, OH
In 1999, Richardson took a chance by ending its hard goods sales and focusing on a headwear line that was in its infancy. The decision under Kelly’s leadership paid dividends as Richardson’s transformation into one of the leading cap companies carried over from baseball into the fashion and lifestyle market.
BOB FAWLEY Capitol Varsity Sports, Oxford, OH
You will learn more about the impressive accomplishments of Kurt Ainsworth and Kelly Richardson in this edition of NSGA NOW and at nsga.org. There are also people with similar success stories you may have worked alongside or crossed paths with who deserve Hall of Fame consideration.
BRAD HAUSE Sports Distributors of Canada Burlington, Ontario, Canada
The nomination period for the Class of 2028 is open so look at the criteria on NSGA’s Hall of Fame webpage to help ensure more iconic figures in our industry are honored and recognized. And if you want to be inspired by the impact the industry has made in the world of sports, go to nsga.org/hall-of-fame and check out the biographies of every Hall of Fame inductee. The exclusive club now includes Mr. Ainsworth and Mr. Richardson. Please join me in congratulating them and everyone close to them on this monumental achievement in our industry!
PAST CHAIRMAN PAT DONNELLEY Twin Falls, ID BOARD OF DIRECTORS JOHN DAVENPORT Play It Again Sports, Minneapolis, MN
COLE JOHNSON Johnson-Lambe Sporting Goods Raleigh, NC JUSTIN MILLER Scholastic Sports Sales, Manlius, NY
JESSICA ROSE-HUGGINS Denver Athletic Supply, Englewood, CO
RON RUGAL B&R Sporting Goods, Shelby Charter Township, MI JOHN SCIPIO SV Sports, Pottstown, PA
NSGA TEAM LEADERS MATT CARLSON President & CEO
HAYLEY FANSLER Director, Business Development MARTY MACIASZEK Director, Team Dealer Division, Communications JULIE PITTS Director, Public Affairs and President, NSSRA
NICK RIGITANO Director, Insights and Analysis JENNIFER SHAFFER Chief Financial Officer
Best regards, MATT CARLSON
PRESIDENT & CEO
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). 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 2026 all rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
4>> NSGA NOW®
TREASURER/CHAIRMAN-ELECT
NSGA works with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and NCAA to keep you informed on important rule changes impacting your business.
INDUSTRY NOW
‘FANS FOR THE CURE’ SPOTLIGHTS PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS BY BRUCE MILES
B
aseball fans of a certain age no doubt remember a show called “Talking Baseball,” with Ed Randall. It was a staple of cable TV back in the day.
These days, Randall is still talking baseball as a TV and radio journalist on several different platforms. He also has made it his mission to talk about something more important: prostate cancer awareness. Randall does more than talk. He crusades. He cajoles. He barnstorms the country. He preaches to everyone who will listen and tries to reach those who won’t. He has a website called Fans for the Cure (fansforthecure.org), which offers an array of resources, including
6>> NSGA NOW®
podcasts and support groups for men, caregivers and even women whose spouses or partners are dealing with prostate cancer. For Randall, this fight is personal. “It was my response to being diagnosed with prostate cancer,” he said of the day in 1999 when he got the shock of his life. “I was only 47 years old at the time I went for a routine annual physical. I thought it was going to be routine. Next thing, my doctor calls me and he says,
‘Your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is really high.’ The day he made that phone call, my only definition of PSA after having broadcast for more than 20 years at that point professionally was ‘public service announcement.’ I had no idea this was an indication for cancer. He said, ‘Maybe the lab screwed up. Come back in, take another blood test and we’ll send it to another lab.’
>>ABOVE:
Fans for the Cure founder Ed Randall rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. All photos courtesy of Fans for the Cure.
“That was the last thing I wanted to hear because I’ve had a deathly fear of needles since the age of 5. But under the circumstances, I came back and the results of the second test were exactly the same as the first. I had prostate cancer. And it was stunning because in its earliest stages, prostate cancer has no symptoms. When I went into my two favorite words in the English language, ‘in remission,’ I came to the realization, ‘You know what? On the day I was diagnosed, I felt fine.’ There could be tens, hundreds, thousands of guys out there like me walking around feeling and thinking they are fine, and they can be time bombs. We’ve got to get to those guys.” Randall sprang into action, founding Fans for the Cure, a 501(c)(3) which is “dedicated to prostate cancer awareness education and to tell men there’s a 99 percent cure rate for prostate cancer if detected early.”
>> The Mariner Moose discusses PSA testing with a table of urologists
An estimated 1.5 million men globally will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in a given year. Speaking of men of a certain
age, a large number of NSGA members fit the profile of those who need to be tested. Recommendations range from
from Virginia Mason Franciscan Heath as part of the Seattle Mariners’ annual prostate cancer day at T-Mobile Park.
age 50 for men at average risk to age 40 for those at higher risk for prostate cancer, including Black men and those with a family history of the disease. “When they hear a noise in their car, they bring it in,” Randall said. “But there is no noise when it comes to prostate cancer, largely. When we hand out materials, we get a lot of, ‘Oh, I’m good to go.’ And I like to say, ‘How do you know?’ I say, ‘I was fine when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.’ We urge men to stay off what we call, ‘Dr. Google.’ We want them to stay away from strip-mall urology.
>> Ed Randall with staffer Karen Shaffer and Bill Healey, one of Fans for the Cure’s biggest advocates, at the New York Mets annual screening at Citi Field on June 9.
“I’m happy to tell you we have a medical advisory board of dozens of the greatest urologists in this country. We like to say, ‘If you need a guy, we’ll get you a guy.’ We’re almost on a weekly basis getting calls from people, from strangers, who need somebody, wherever it may be, in Texas, in San Francisco, wherever. We get them hooked up as soon as we possibly can which is most times the same day.” Continued on page 8
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INDUSTRY NOW Continued from page 7 Unfortunately, a good number of men put up their own obstacles when it comes to getting tested. They may do so out of denial that prostate cancer will afflict them. Randall wants to break down those barriers. “The misconceptions are, and you’ve heard, ‘We’re all going to get it eventually,’ in your 80s or whatever,” he said. “We don’t subscribe to that theory. What we do tell people is it’s a simple PSA blood test. I toured spring-training camps for five years before COVID, first in Arizona and then to Florida. We’d stand before 150 Chicago Cubs or 150 Seattle Mariners (including minor leaguers and staff). “I would begin my brief remarks by saying to players there, to coaches, managers, trainers, strength and conditioning people, ‘By the time you guys get off the field today and there’s a cure for prostate cancer, I’m done.’ Until that time, I am the car alarm you cannot turn off to tell the men in your family that they are loved and they are wanted and they are needed and they are cherished and they have a responsibility to go to the doctor because we want no empty chairs on Thanksgiving.
“With regard to our podcast, our chairman of the board is Steve Garvey,” Randall said of the former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres first baseman who was the closing keynote speaker at the NSGA 2024 Leadership Conference. “In my years working on the air, I knew Garvey and he knew me, which was basically from when I had a mic in my hand, and that was the extent of it. “One Sunday, I come home from Mass, and the light is blinking on my phone answering machine. It says Steve Garvey. And right there, I’m alarmed Garvey has my home number (laughing). Nonetheless, he says, ‘I just want to let you know I came out of UCLA Medical recently, where I was operated on for prostate cancer. My father had prostate cancer,’ which doubles your chances if an older family member has had prostate cancer. Then he said these words: ‘I’m ready to become a foot soldier in your army.’ So he has been our chairman of the board, and we have been blessed to have him.” There are others, as well.
“Cal Ripken Jr. (2015 Conference keynote speaker), Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Andre Dawson, all Hall of Famers, all prostate cancer survivors,” Randall said. “Because of my other life, being on the air, I have relationships with all of those guys. So I called Ozzie and said, ‘I’d like you to be a guest on our podcast,’ and he was terrific. I’ve had a decades-long relationship with Dusty Baker, who was diagnosed about 2002. I usually host the podcasts, but in this case, I thought it would be more appropriate if he did it. So Garvey interviewed him because they were teammates with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The podcast is very well received.” Randall says he has no idea how many lives his work has saved over the years. He is looking forward, not backward. “No, we don’t keep score,” he said. “We’re just out there doing all we can do. We have a special and a very important commitment to the African American community, where the incidence of prostate cancer is two to three times higher than it is among white men. We’re in the Black churches.
“We want these men to walk their daughters down the aisle on the day of their wedding. We want them to be able to hold their grandchildren. There is no earthly reason they cannot go to the doctor and get a simple PSA blood test. Do it for yourself. Do it for your loved ones.” As a well-respected and longtime baseball journalist, Randall has gained entree to Major League and Minor League ballparks to spread the word and get men tested during events at those parks. His status also has brought former Major League stars into the tent.
8>> NSGA NOW®
>> Ed Randall throws out the ceremonial first pitch to the Phillie Phanatic before Philadelphia’s Father’s Day game in 2025.
>> Dr. Michael Feuerstein of Fans for the Cure, center, at a Prostate
Cancer 101 gathering with the Messiah Baptist Church in Yonkers, New York.
We’re in the Black barber shops because those are the centerpieces of their social interactions. We are very committed to getting those men to go to the doctors because many of them live in what we refer to as health deserts. But we don’t keep score. It’s all about next.” There is a degree of self-satisfaction that goes with his fight against prostate cancer. But Randall insists that’s not why he’s in it. One of the motivations, as he puts it, is to “provide comfort from fear.” Asked what does his heart the most good, he responded: “Just knowing that Fans for the Cure exists. We’re not keeping score. We want to keep families together. It’s a preventable cancer. Answer the call to action. And the call to
action is go to the doctor, get a simple PSA blood test because potentially it could save your life. “I’m excited when people compliment me. I didn’t do this for that. I was so shocked by my diagnosis. I didn’t grieve. I wasn’t, ‘Why me,’ or anything like that. I just did it, and I’m so very fortunate that I’m still on the air on Sirius XM. I’m the only person in America who starts his show talking about this because largely, the demographic that is listening to my show is the demographic that is vulnerable to prostate cancer. I have a tremendous platform, as I did at WFAN (radio) in New York for 17 years and doing Ed Randall’s Talking Baseball. “What makes my heart smile is Fans for the Cure exists. It is a vehicle for men
to come to for comfort. I have told the stories over the years of men who have come back to us and said thank you. That in itself is its own reward.”
To learn more about what Fans for the Cure is doing for prostate cancer awareness, you can go to www.fansforthecure.org.
BRUCE MILES Bruce Miles covered the Chicago Cubs for the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago from 1998–2019. He has continued working as a freelance writer, with Athletes Unlimited and NHL.com. Just like Ed Randall, he enjoys talking baseball. This is his 11th piece for NSGA NOW.
SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2026
<<9
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INDUSTRY NOW
TAKING PRIDE IN THEIR WORK PARTNERING WITH PRIDE INDUSTRIES MEANS JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY TIMM BOYLE
S
eventy-five percent of nondisabled adults in America have jobs. But less than 38 percent of working age adults with disabilities have jobs.
This disparity exists even though adults with disabilities have repeatedly proven to be talented, dedicated and grateful employees who skillfully and faithfully serve their employers in a wide variety of industries. Based in Roseville, California, PRIDE Industries is working relentlessly to change this situation.
“When we look at that 38 percent figure, what we really see is 62 percent unemployment of working age adults with disabilities, and we find it unacceptable,” said Craig Levra, President and CEO
12>> NSGA NOW®
of PRIDE Industries since April. “Nearly one-half of our employees are people with disabilities, and by gaining more contracts and growing, we can get that 62 number down and help provide a life full of joy for those deserving people. “Our simple yet profound mission statement — ‘To create employment for people with disabilities’ — is pure. We always put that mission first in every decision we make, and I believe PRIDE Industries is a great match for sporting goods industry leaders and business owners.”
With 200-plus customers including U.S. military branches, Amazon, Boeing, Bosch, and sporting goods industry entity Acushnet Golf, PRIDE Industries is the nation’s largest employer of people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, including veterans and former foster youth.
>>ABOVE:
PRIDE Industries has been helping adults with disabilities find meaningful employment for six decades. Photos courtesy of PRIDE Industries.
This national, $500 million social enterprise stretching from Hawaii to Massachusetts currently operates in 18 states plus Washington, D.C. Among PRIDE Industries’ 3,964 employees are 1,949 people with disabilities (over 49 percent), and the company has served more than 4,000 persons with disabilities overall.
LEVRA BRINGS SPORTING GOODS INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE TO THE JOB “The real issue for some employers, regardless of the industry, is that if they don’t understand the ability of a person with disabilities to work effectively, they might wonder if they’ll have to make special accommodations for those employees,” Levra said. “There’s some uncertainty there. “But by hiring PRIDE Industries, we’ll execute the mission with our employees — where turnover is far less and longevity is longer — and we’ll make businesses more efficient and more profitable.” Levra has nearly a quarter of a century of experience in the sporting goods industry — including President, CEO, and
>> PRIDE Industries has significant warehouse capability to support businesses.
Chairman of the Board for Sport Chalet and Vice President, Store Operations, for Sports Authority. The company’s services particularly relevant to the industry include 3PL services and facilities, packaging and fulfillment services and manufacturing capabilities. Features of PRIDE Industries’ 3PL services include a rack-ready, 267,000-squarefoot distribution center plus 1 million square foot capacity; preconfigured warehouse management system, enterprise resource planning, electronic data interchange integration; fully staffed and trained workforce in place; and the ability to go live in weeks rather than months.
>> New PRIDE Industries CEO
Craig Levra has a sporting goods background with executive roles with Sport Chalet and Sports Authority.
Among the benefits of PRIDE Industries’ packaging and fulfillment services are kitting to stock or on-demand assembly and same-day fulfillment; innovative hiring, staffing and custom training protocols; dedicated customer service; and scalable warehouse space and ready-to-use equipment. Manufacturing capabilities include bill of materials verification, supply chain
management, demand planning and alternate parts; a flexible, innovative hiring model; 20-plus years of domestic electronic manufacturing services execution with vertical integration and a single-source supplier model; and U.S.-based, international traffic in arms regulation-registered manufacturing.
60 YEARS OF TAKING PRIDE IN EXPERTISE AND INCLUSION PRIDE Industries is celebrating its 60th year in business in 2026. In 1966, a group of parents came together to discuss how to create opportunities for their adult children with disabilities. The solution they came up with that enabled their children to experience the dignity, independence and sense of purpose that comes with employment was PRIDE Industries. The company employs individuals in a variety of fields, all made possible by a wide spectrum of support services. As PRIDE Industries has grown from its small beginnings, so has the reach of its mission. Continued on page 14
SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2026
<<13
INDUSTRY NOW Why did Levra choose PRIDE Industries as the next step in his vocational journey? “Because of the people and the mission,” he said. “This place is so unique and special. The Board of Directors is great. Everyone wants to win and succeed, and believes in the mission. I’m impressed and humbled to be part of it.
>> The PRIDE Industries headquarters in Roseville, California. Continued from page 13 The company now shares its unique expertise with businesses of all sizes to help them achieve their diversity and inclusion goals. PRIDE Industries manages 140 million square feet of commercial and government facilities and manufactures more than 2 million products annually with 99.9% order accuracy. And that includes a safety record 30 percent higher than the OSHA average. PRIDE Industries offers job preparation, job placement, on-the-job support and coaching, and employer relationship management. The company features four main lines of business: • Manufacturing and logistics. The company serves as a contract manufacturer which executes packaging, fulfillment, and supply chain management for companies at its facilities. All workers are PRIDE Industries employees. • Federal government mission support services. PRIDE Industries contracts with the federal government to provide facilities management and other services at military bases and other federal facilities on their sites with employees managed by the company.
14>> NSGA NOW®
• State and local government, education, and commercial facilities management. PRIDE Industries’ teams provide facilities management services at state and local governments and private sector facilities sites. •W orkforce inclusion. This division offers employment readiness services for individuals with disabilities; places individuals with other employers, with employees working for the company where they’re placed; and support work groups, where PRIDE Industries hires, trains, and manages small teams at customer sites.
‘THE PEOPLE AND THE MISSION’ Levra, who earned an MBA from the University of Kansas and a Certificate in Public Company Governance from the University of California, Irvine, is a board member and finance committee member with the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission. He’s also a board member with Virco, the largest manufacturer and supplier of educational furniture equipment for preschool through the 12th grade market, and a founding board member with Gameday in the USA, Inc., which produces sports content for youngsters.
“The skill sets and dedication here are incredible. The people we employ are gifted, talented, and want to go to work every day. 3PL is a big part of what we do. We have enormous capacity to scale our business and employ more people. We have to look in the mirror every day to fulfill our commitment. We deliver 5-star results.”
Anyone interested in learning more about PRIDE Industries can visit www.prideindustries.com or contact Levra directly at
craig.levra@prideindustries.com
or 916-846-4168.
PRIDE Industries has an employment presence in 18 states and Washington, D.C.: Alabama Arizona
Arkansas
California
District of Columbia Florida
Georgia Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana Maryland
Massachusetts Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico Tennessee Texas
Virginia
Washington
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RECOGNITION NOW
HONORING THE
LEGENDS
of the industry
T
he Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame has recognized those who have made a significant impact on this industry since 1955.
>> A large group of family, colleagues and friends celebrated
the induction of Pro Athlete’s Scott Hedrick at the 2026 Dinner and Induction Ceremony.
The Hall of Fame has honored 194 men and women with the selection of the Class of 2027. On the following pages, you can learn more about the accomplishments of Kurt Ainsworth (Marucci Sports) and Kelly Richardson (Richardson) and why they will be celebrated on May 25, 2027 during the NSGA 2027 Leadership Conference at The Wigwam in the Phoenix suburb of Litchfield Park, Arizona. NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE CLASS OF 2028! There are many others who have impacted this industry and deserve consideration for induction into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame. Members from every segment of the industry can submit the names of sporting goods retailers/dealers, manufacturers and industry influencers they believe are worthy of election to the Hall of Fame for their extraordinary contributions to the industry. It’s worth taking the time to complete the nomination process.
“It’s important for us to be able to identify really great candidates.” — Larry Aasheim
>> The Hall of Fame Class of 2026, from left, Scott Hedrick,
Sammy Barcelona, representing his late uncle, inductee Sam Barcelona, Jr., Tim Boyle and David Finkelstein, representing his late father, inductee Mort Finkelstein.
Learn more about the Hall of Famers as biographical information on every inductee is available at www.nsga.org/hall-of-fame/! If you have any questions about the Hall of Fame, contact Julie Pitts, Hall of Fame Secretary, at hof@nsga.org.
16>> NSGA NOW®
>> Tim Boyle of Columbia Sportswear Company gives his Hall of Fame induction speech.
KURT AINSWORTH CLASS OF 2027
INDUCTEE
K
urt Ainsworth’s goal was missing bats on the road to reaching the major leagues as a pitcher.
Making a better bat was Ainsworth’s objective when he started his transition from a playing career in 2004. Ainsworth began handcrafting bats in the backyard shed of his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ainsworth ended up hitting a home run with Marucci Sports. The evolution of the company to become one of the most recognizable names in baseball and softball equipment led to Ainsworth’s selection to the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
“Kurt brings not just business acumen, but also deep authenticity,” said Scott Hedrick, the Chairman of bat-seller Pro Athlete and a 2026 Hall of Fame inductee. “He knows what players need because he’s been on the field with the best in the world and he still leads with that player-first mindset. “Kurt isn’t just building a great business, he’s innovating for the future while respecting its most important traditions. He’s put the right people around him, kept players at the heart of every decision, and ironically has built one of the most iconic bat companies in the world as a former pitcher.” Ainsworth was a first-team AllAmerican and NCAA champion at powerhouse Louisiana State University and a first-round pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft. He won a gold
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
MARUCCI SPORTS medal with the 2000 Olympic team and compiled a 6-8 record in 29 big-league games with the San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles from 2001–04. He co-founded Marucci Bat Company and that led to the co-founding of Marucci Sports in 2009. Marucci expanded its line to fielding and batting gloves, on- and off-the-field apparel, footwear and other accessories. “His integrity, passion and tireless work ethic set him apart in every aspect of his life and career,” said Dustin Rhodes, the President/CEO of PROLOOK. “As the founder and driving force behind Marucci, Kurt has built one of the most respected and beloved brands in baseball. His leadership and vision transformed the company from a startup into a powerhouse, synonymous with quality, innovation and excellence.” Marucci’s acquisitions included Victus Sports in 2017. In 2025, Ainsworth again reached baseball’s pinnacle when Marucci and Victus became the Official Bats of Major League Baseball. “Under Kurt’s leadership, Marucci has not only grown into a category leader, but has literally changed the game – innovating with great integrity while fiercely protecting the values and traditions that make baseball great,” said Reed Dickens, who co-founded Marucci Sports with Ainsworth and is the founder and CEO of LA Golf. “He is that rare individual who embodies both forward-thinking disruption and
old-school work ethic. I have never met anyone who works harder or cares more about the future of the sport than Kurt Ainsworth.” That includes the Marucci Cares program, which is designed to help those in need and increase youth sports participation. Marucci Cares has worked with the foundations of several MLB athletes and continues to create partnerships and support the work of athletes and partners aiming to provide access to diamond sports. “The Marucci Cares program is yet another iteration of Kurt’s commitments, comprising values which emphasize that youth sports provides a positive and lasting impact on children’s lives,” said Thu Van Nguyen, the President and Inventor of TVN Sport Technologies. “Kurt is a one-of-one,” Dickens said. “An authentic steward of the game, an elite executive and a passionate advocate for its growth at every level. I can think of no one more deserving of recognition or more qualified for this honor.”
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<<17
RECOGNITION NOW
KELLY RICHARDSON CLASS OF 2027
INDUCTEE
K
elly Richardson had a plan in the late 1970s of using the University of Oregon as a stepping-stone to a professional baseball career as a pitcher. Richardson realized that dream wasn’t going to happen so he changed his game plan. He joined the burgeoning family business of Richardson Sports that was owned by his father Neil, who had a brief minor league pitching stint, and included Kelly’s mom and older brother on a staff of six.
Today, Richardson has grown to more than 450 employees and evolved under Kelly Richardson’s leadership since he took over as President and CEO in 1995 to become one of the top cap companies in the sporting goods industry. And the success story of the family business that started in 1970 is why Richardson was chosen for the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2027. “With Kelly’s management and leadership skills, he has distinguished himself as an influential and accomplished figure in the cap industry,” said Pat Donnelley, the retired president of Donnelley Sports in Twin Falls, Idaho and Past Chairman of NSGA. “Kelly has always been loyally committed to the industry’s team dealer network as his primary distribution source, forming thousands of working relationships with his customers. His innovative contributions to the cap industry have
18>> NSGA NOW®
PRESIDENT & CEO
RICHARDSON influenced a crowded and competitive field.” Athletic equipment was the core business for Richardson until 1999, when Kelly and the company decided to focus exclusively on its new headwear line. That decision helped establish Richardson as a trusted and authentic on-field brand. “Kelly’s vision for what a cap company needs to be is second to none,” said industry veteran Mike Stewart, a senior buyer for Game One. “While he has grown his company to service all different channels of the cap business, his commitment to the team industry continues to make Richardson the leader in the industry.” Richardson focused on improving the quality, fit and shape of its baseball caps and introduced the Performance Team Series line specifically for players. But Richardson also saw the baseball-style cap’s popularity making it something for everyone and not just players. It aligned perfectly with Richardson’s objective to become a premium headwear brand that would be a special product for anyone passionate about headwear. “I have known Kelly for more than 30 years, dating to when our local Richardson representative — who remains our representative to this day — introduced us to Kelly, his family, and Richardson,” said Mike Brusati, a Vice
President at T&B Sports in San Rafael, California. “At that time, we were purchasing rubber-pressed goods, baseballs, and MLB replica baseball caps. “Under Kelly’s leadership, Richardson has been transformed into what I consider one of the premier cap companies in our industry. The longevity of our relationship with the same local representative over three decades speaks volumes about Kelly’s leadership, integrity, and commitment to people.” That commitment includes Richardson giving back to the community and supporting organizations that are helping underserved and at-risk kids. He is also a half-owner of the Springfield Drifters summer collegiate wood-bat baseball team in Springfield, Oregon. “There is nobody I know more dedicated to every detail of running a good business than Kelly,” said Dustin Rhodes, the President/CEO of PROLOOK. “His fingerprint is everywhere. He doesn’t just know every process and component of making great hats ... he knows everyone at the factory by first name. I’ve been fortunate to have him as a mentor, customer and vendor.“
Absolutely wonderful experience. The uniforms were super fun to design with their software. We spent HOURS just playing with different designs. And they came exactly when they said they would come or earlier. And the processing time was way quicker than quoted anywhere else. The material was lightweight, exactly what we hoped for. We will definitely be using PROLOOK for our future uniform needs. Jill M., Google Review
2028
CALL FOR
NOMINATIONS Submissions accepted until MARCH 31, 2027
Nominate a deserving individual for the 2028 Class of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Learn more and nominate at nsga.org/hall-of-fame/ The Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame was created in 1955 by the NSGA Board of Directors to honor the pioneers, innovators and leaders who built the sporting goods industry and to help recognize and encourage excellence within the industry.
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CONFERENCE NOW
SLY A
SUGGESTIONS ON SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATING WORLD OF AI BY NICK VLAHOS
rtificial intelligence can be good and bad, according to one of its foremost strategists. It also can be downright weird.
Take Tilly Norwood, an alleged aspiring actress who appeared on the scene in 2025. In short order, she gained 50,000 followers on Instagram, where clips of her screen tests were posted. So was her first role, a comedy sketch called “AI Commissioner.” One small problem, however — Tilly Norwood is not a real person. She is an AI-generated character, the product of a company founded by Dutch actress Eline Van der Velden. She called it a creative work, not a replacement for a human. Others, including labor unions that represent actors, condemned it. The Tilly Norwood case might summarize the perils and pitfalls of AI, according to Susan Sly. An author and
>>ABOVE:
Susan Sly’s energy and knowledge captivated the audience during her AI as Your Superpower session.
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AI entrepreneur, Sly spent part of her presentation in May at the NSGA 2026 Leadership Conference, AI as Your Superpower: Fundamentals & Real World Applications, suggesting how attendees can avoid those problems. But she also suggested how AI programs, like Claude or ChatGPT, can help those in the sporting goods industry expand their trade and better connect with their customers. Most of it comes down to one word. “Trust,” Sly said to those gathered in a Grand Hyatt Nashville ballroom. “Less than one out of five humans trust another human. AI is going to amplify that distrust. … At the end of the day, if the customer doesn’t trust you, you don’t have a business. “It comes down to a challenge in this industry, because we want trust. Trust is what brings people to our website.
How many of you have had an athlete do something stupid and now I can’t sell those jerseys?” Sly knows a little about athletes, having been one herself. A native of Canada, Sly swam and ice-skated as a youth and became nationally ranked in track in her homeland. Running was her passion, she said. But progressive multiple sclerosis derailed Sly’s career, although she’s managed it well enough to compete in six Boston Marathons. Sly transferred part of her energy to another field. In college in the 1990s, she dabbled in early facial-recognition algorithms. By 2018, she cofounded an AI company. Among Sly’s aims is making AI less intimidating. She broke current and potential AI users into three categories. Early adopters are the ones who have been on ChatGPT since its launch four years ago. Some were among her Nashville audience, Sly suggested.
“The second group of people have been using AI, but maybe for things like finding a recipe or trying to plan a vacation,” she said following her presentation. “They haven’t really thought about ‘How do I apply this to my business so I can generate more customers?’ “The third group hasn’t used AI at all. My goal is that everyone can take away at least one tangible thing and to break it down so it is simple.” Sly indicated AI programs are lazy and will reach for the closest content they can find around a search term. She offered some AI techniques that might benefit her audience while maximizing search optimization and content-creation efficiency. Non-negotiable, as Sly sees it, is for businesses to include blogs on their websites. “If you do not have a blog on your website, get a blog on your website,” she said. Each item need not be long, but the blog in total should have at least 2,400 words to catch AI-search attention. Blog items can take the form of responses to questions.
>> Susan Sly provided real-industry understanding and examples of how to use AI to the Leadership Conference audience.
“What is the best lacrosse shaft for a defensive player?” Sly said. “Some of it is going to sound so stupid. ‘What is a lacrosse stick?’ (But) people search for that.” Instagram reels and TikTok videos help AI searches, too. Business owners can
record them, as can their employees. They need not be elaborate; one tip or one item per video is plenty, according to Sly. As little as 15 minutes a day can be spent on blogs, social-media posts and video creation. The more items the better, and don’t hide them behind a paywall. “These become organic pieces of content that make your brand more trustworthy,” she said. “(Customers) want to trust other humans, and they want the video to not look perfect. They don’t care. They’re looking for that organic content. “It’s got to be searchable. It’s got to be understandable. It’s got to be trusted. It’s got to be content-rich. It’s got to be locally relevant.” All of it can be intimidating, particularly for AI newbies, something Sly acknowledged. But it can take a lot less effort and be a lot less controversial than creating the next Tilly Norwood.
>> One of many Leadership Conference attendees who used their phone for photos of slides from Susan Sly’s presentation.
“AI isn’t going to replace you. It’s not,” Sly told the NSGA crowd. “It’s going to enhance what you’re already doing, so you can focus on what’s most important, which is building human relationships.”
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CONFERENCE NOW
A PRO’S PRIMER TO PROMO PRODUCTS BY NICK VLAHOS
W
ithout realizing it, perhaps, many who attended the NSGA 2026 Leadership Conference might have demonstrated the potential of promotional products.
A golf shirt. A quarter-zip pullover. A lanyard. All of that and more were among the swag available for attendees during the conference held in May in Nashville, Tennessee. They brought those items home, to locations all over the U.S. and Canada.
Promo products can provide new revenue for sporting goods retailers and team dealers without much change in how they’re doing business, at least initially. That was among the key messages from Cardinal and three others who participated in the Leadership Conference panel discussion, Building Your Brand: Unlocking the Strategic Power of Promotional Products.
Every time a recipient pulls on that complimentary shirt, they’ll probably remember where they got it. They’ll probably notice the logos on it, too. And that probably will help perpetuate a connection that links the manufacturer, the consumer and the sponsor.
“It’s a nice complement to what you’re doing,” said Mark Gammon, senior vice president of sales for PCNA. “It naturally fits in with what you’re doing today.”
That’s the point, according to promotional products executives.
Again, the evidence was in many attendees’ laps and goodie bags.
“Every day I see it. Every day I touch it,” said Corey Cardinal, vice president of integrated relationships for NSGA Platinum Supporter STAHLS’. “It’s got a brand on it.”
“These are all things everybody will take back with them,” said Nikki Stella, senior vice president of strategic relationships and initiatives for the Advertising Specialty Institute. “You’re going to have
24>> NSGA NOW®
(them) for a long, long time. That tangible piece that stays with them. “People love to receive promotional products, and they live long into someone’s future.” The companies for which Gammon and Stella work focus on promo-product production and/or facilitation. Promo products also are a factor in STAHLS’ business – providing pre-cut and custom athletic numbers, letters and logos. Chris Bawcum, managing partner for Trigon Sports, was panel moderator. He probably summarized one of the panel’s primary points most succinctly: “Can’t beat a good T-shirt.”
>>ABOVE:
The panel, from left, of moderator Chris Bawcum (Trigon Sports), Corey Cardinal (STAHLS’), Mark Gammon (PCNA) and Nikki Stella (ASI) sold attendees on the value of getting involved with promotional products.
The numbers appear to back Bawcum’s assertion. Promo products is a flourishing industry in North America, Gammon told those gathered in a Grand Hyatt Nashville ballroom. He estimated the market in 2025 at more than $27 billion, with sales growth of 4.2 percent over the previous year. “We’re the only 27-billion-dollar industry that nobody knows of,” Gammon said. “It’s an amazing opportunity.” Apparel, drinkware, caps and hats and bags and travel, in order, are the most popular items, according to Promotional Products Association International. Those products probably dovetail with the stock-in-trade of most sporting goods dealers and retailers, according to Cardinal.
>> Nikki Stella of ASI, right, makes a point during the promotional products discussion as Corey Cardinal (STAHLS’) and Mark Gammon (PCNA) listen.
But tangible items aren’t the only necessity for promo-product prosperity. That appeared to be good news for much of the panel’s audience. “You all have the most critical key to success, which is trust,” Cardinal said. “You have this customer base that is already buying from you. You’re already busy outfitting the player on the field. There’s a whole stadium of people that want promo. And the promo exists way beyond any season.” Anything and everything can be turned into a promo product, but Cardinal appears to believe it’s probably best to start simple.
>> A big group of attendees learned more
about the potential path to success with promotional product sales.
“Don’t plan on offering everything to every customer right out of the gate,” she said. “Start with maybe one or two accounts and maybe prepare yourself. ‘This is going to be my piece of
go-to drinkwear and my blanket and my drawstring tote.’ You can just start with that.” Gammon estimated the gross profit margin on promo products at between 30 and 50 percent. “It’s meaningful revenue,” he said. “In a year or two, it’s six or seven figures, if you’re moving it correctly. It’s an additive to a business you have that’s already flourishing.” Gammon suggested dealers that expand into promo products don’t necessarily have to hire more employees, at least not at first. Organizations can figure out what works best for them and scale employment as needed. But much of the conversation focused less on bottom lines and numbers and more on feelings and memories. In that regard, Stella spoke from an up-closeand-personal perspective. “I still have my college sweatshirt,” she said. “It’s holey and it’s a mess, but it sits in a closet and it’s part of who I am. Having that logo on a good, solid piece of product, it’s meaningful.” Said Cardinal: “Everything is experiences. Promo parlays into that so well. If you provide the right product and someone is sharing it, it’s limitless.”
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INSIGHTS NOW
CHANGES and DRIVERS for TEAM and INDIVIDUAL SPORTS PARTICIPATION in 2025 BY NICK RIGITANO NSGA DIRECTOR OF INSIGHTS AND ANALYSIS
B
oosted by rising participation in most team and individual sports tracked by NSGA, the latest Sports Participation in the US report delivers promising news for sporting goods retailers, dealers and manufacturers.
Figure 1
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The report offers detailed tables breaking down participation by age, gender, household income and US region for each sport/activity tracked. It allows us to dive deeper into the data and uncover the drivers behind the increases. For this analysis, we will focus on gender. The perceptual map in Figure 1 illustrates the changes and drivers behind youth participation in the team segment. The y-axis indicates the overall percentage increase/decrease in each of the team sports while the x-axis indicates the degree to which the increase/decrease was driven by male or female participation. For example, cheerleading experienced a 14 percent increase in participation compared to the previous year, driven by both boys and girls.
In the upper right quadrant, flag football also enjoyed a strong overall increase (+14%) driven largely by male participation (+18%) and, to a lesser extent, female participation (+6%). Similarly, the gains seen in ice hockey and volleyball were driven by strong male increases accompanied by slight female increases. Soccer, however, saw a slight decrease among females offset by a strong increase among males. In addition to cheerleading, basketball is in the upper left quadrant as the sport experiencing strong gains in female participation. The sport of lacrosse is located closer to the y-axis since the rise in female participants slightly outpaced that of males. Tackle football experienced slight gains overall with female participation offsetting the slight decline among males.
by strong gains in male participation. Similarly, healthy gains in male participation outpaced moderate gains in female participation for tennis, ice/ figure skating and golf. After experiencing three consecutive years of massive growth, pickleball showed signs of slowing down, growing 7 percent overall with the largest increases attributed to females (+9%). Bowling sits right along the y-axis since its 3 percent growth was split (pun intended) evenly among both genders. Swimming was the only sport in the segment to experience a slight overall
decrease in participation after gains in male participation could not offset the decline in females. Rising participation numbers are always excellent news for our industry. The opportunity is ripe for brands and dealers to capitalize on this momentum and cultivate long-term customer loyalty. Utilizing demographic insights will allow us to monitor this progress and pinpoint specific growth areas across the sports landscape.
For more information on the report, please visit www.nsga.org/research.
Figure 2
Baseball declined slightly during 2025 (-1%) after not seeing much movement among either male or female participation. Showing more moderate declines were the sports of softball and touch football with male declines having a larger impact on softball and female declines impacting touch football. Figure 2 illustrates the participation changes seen within the individual sports segment. Gymnastics led the way increasing 11 percent overall, driven
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RETAIL NOW
UNDERBOUGHT VS. OVERSTOCKED: THE INVENTORY TRAP COSTING RETAILERS SALES
I
BY RITCHIE SAYNER n my work helping stores maximize upside profit potential through better inventory control, I often encounter retailers facing what seems like a contradiction: they are both overstocked and underbought at the same time.
At first glance, that sounds impossible. How can a retailer have too much inventory and not enough inventory simultaneously? Yet this is one of the most common — and most damaging — situations in retail today.
At first glance, the instinct is to focus on reducing inventory. But the real issue is not simply “too much inventory.” The issue is having the wrong inventory.
Here is a typical scenario.
This classification is clearly overstocked. Inventory levels are more than double what is needed to support the current sales trend. Worse yet, much of the merchandise is aged and no longer productive.
The store location is strong. Overall company sales are running approximately 15% ahead of last year. Traffic is healthy, and the customer base remains solid. However, one merchandise classification is significantly underperforming. Sales for the class are down 30% from the previous year and most of the inventory is more than four months old. The retailer knows business is being missed because there are not enough fresh, exciting styles on the floor. But there is hesitation to invest in new merchandise because the current inventory position already feels too heavy. The numbers look like this: • Last year’s sales: $60,000 • Current sales trend: $42,000 • Planned inventory level (retail): $24,000 • Current inventory level (retail): $55,000 • This year’s receipts at retail: $12,000
30>> NSGA NOW®
THE REAL PROBLEM
If the current trend continues, annualized inventory turnover will likely fall below one turn. For a sporting goods retailer — check that, ANY retailer — that is a dangerous position. Inventory that does not move becomes less valuable every week it remains on the sales floor. At the same time, the classification is also underbought. The planned inventory level was $24,000, and ideally, most of that inventory should have been received within the last four to five months to maintain freshness. Instead, the store has only received $12,000 in fresh merchandise this year. That means the retailer is carrying excess inventory while simultaneously starving the department of new product.
Customers notice this immediately. Even loyal shoppers who visit regularly quickly recognize when a category lacks freshness. Newness drives traffic, excitement and conversion. Without it, sales decline, markdown pressure increases and retailers become trapped in a cycle of hesitation. Unfortunately, many retailers respond by becoming even more cautious with future buying. They postpone orders, reduce open-to-buy commitments, and attempt to “sell through” old inventory before investing in replacement goods. That strategy almost always makes the problem worse.
WHY RETAILERS GET STUCK This situation usually develops gradually. A classification starts to slow down. Perhaps fashion trends shift, sizing becomes imbalanced, or a vendor misses the mark stylistically. Instead of aggressively addressing the problem early, the retailer hopes sales will rebound naturally. Meanwhile, purchase orders are delayed because inventory levels appear too high on paper. The department grows older, markdown resistance increases and customers stop finding compelling new options.
Soon, the retailer is caught in a dangerous middle ground:
REEVALUATE VENDOR PERFORMANCE
• Too much inventory to feel comfortable buying more
The next step is to review vendor productivity honestly.
• Too little fresh inventory to generate healthy sales
Not every vendor deserves continued floor space simply because they performed well historically. Retailers must evaluate current performance metrics, including sell-through, margin contribution, inventory turn and customer response.
This is where inventory management becomes more psychological than mathematical. Fear begins driving decisions instead of planning. The key is recognizing that aged inventory and fresh inventory should never be viewed as the same asset. Old inventory is a liability. Fresh inventory is an opportunity.
THE FIX Correcting this situation requires decisive action and a willingness to separate emotional attachment from inventory reality. The first step is to separate old merchandise from productive merchandise. This means identifying anything five months old or older, along with current styles that are clearly underperforming. Retailers often resist this process because they still see original cost value attached to the inventory. But customers do not shop based on what retailers paid for merchandise. They shop based on perceived value, style relevance and freshness. Once aged inventory is identified, markdowns must happen immediately. In most cases, I recommend beginning with approximately one-third off. If inventory does not respond within two weeks, increase markdowns to 50% off. After another two weeks, take final markdowns as needed to clear remaining product. The goal is not to maximize gross margin dollars on aged inventory. The goal is to recover cash, create space and rebuild momentum. Holding old inventory too long usually creates larger losses later.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Strong vendors consistently generate excitement and maintain healthy turns. Weak vendors consume opento-buy dollars while contributing little to profitability. Sometimes retailers become overstocked because they continue replenishing mediocre product too long. In other cases, they become underbought because they fail to chase winners aggressively enough. Inventory planning should reward performance, not familiarity.
One of the most important lessons in inventory management is understanding that all inventory is not equal. A department can look “heavy” financially while still being dangerously light in productive merchandise. Retailers who fail to recognize this distinction often freeze buying at exactly the wrong time. The solution is not simply reducing inventory. The solution is improving inventory quality. Great retailers understand that inventory productivity — not inventory volume — is what drives profitability. When retailers aggressively clear aged product, maintain disciplined buying plans, and continually inject fresh newness into their assortments, sales recover faster, margins improve and inventory turns strengthen. In today’s competitive retail environment, freshness wins every time.
BUY FRESH AGAIN Perhaps the hardest part of the recovery process is placing fresh orders while aged inventory still exists. But this is often exactly what must happen. The inventory plan in this example called for $24,000 in current inventory support. The retailer only landed $12,000. That shortage of fresh goods is directly contributing to lost sales. Customers do not care that a retailer is overstocked on old product. They care whether the store has something new and exciting today. Fresh merchandise creates urgency. It generates full-price selling. It improves conversion rates and average ticket performance. Most importantly, it restores confidence throughout the department. Retailers cannot markdown their way back to growth alone. They must simultaneously clear old inventory and reinvest in productive newness.
RITCHIE SAYNER Sayner has spent the past four decades helping independent retailers improve profitability. In addition to speaking to retail groups nationwide, Sayner is a regular contributor to retail industry publications. Prior to embarking on his retail consulting career, he was 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.
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NEWS NOW CROWN SPORT SALES’ DON LEONARD RETIRES
Davis Whitfield, who served as NFHS chief operating officer for 11 years, became the organization’s CEO, effective August 1, 2026, succeeding Dr. Karissa Niehoff. Shortly after, Whitfield named Mark Koski, a longtime NFHS staff member and most recently chief marketing officer, to the newly created role of deputy executive director, strategy and external affairs. Koski will oversee legislative advocacy, corporate partnerships, and the NFHS Foundation, among other external affairs initiatives.
RULES CHANGES and OTHER NEWS ITEMS Don Leonard retired as President of Crown Sport Sales in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on July 31. Leonard was in the sales side of the industry for more than 51 years and worked as an independent sales agent for 42 years. “It’s time to turn it over to the young ones,” Leonard said in an e-mail. “I value the friendships I have made in this industry and will miss seeing you at future shows and sales meetings. “Sporting goods is a great industry and the sales agents are a vital part of this industry. This is a bittersweet day but I am looking forward to retirement and what the future holds.” David Newton takes over as President of Crown Sport Sales. Crown Sport Sales is a NSGA member.
NFHS NAMES NEW CEO, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has announced two key leadership moves.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL OFFERS SAFETY FIRST BASE OPTIONS; BIG CHANGES TO CERTIFIED BATS IN 2028 Beginning next year, high school baseball teams will be given the option to use an 18-inch first base or the double first base. The larger base is presented as an alternative to the previously mandated double first base, which goes into effect in 2027. Bat certification was addressed with USA Baseball assuming bat-testing standards. Effective in 2028, there will be an additional class of permitted non-wood bats. Bats that are not made of a single piece of wood shall meet either the USA Baseball Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (USA Baseball BBCOR) of .50 or the USA Baseball Bat Performance Standard (-4, -5, -6). Bats must be labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark.
green or yellow that will take effect in all three divisions in 2027–28. NFHS changes to the color of game balls starting with the 2029 season for boys lacrosse. All game balls must be fluorescent green or yellow to improve visibility for players, officials and spectators as of January 1, 2029.
NCAA HOCKEY REQUIRING CUT-RESISTANT EQUIPMENT IN 2027–28 NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey players and National Collegiate (NC) women’s players will be required to wear cut-resistant equipment starting with the 2027–28 season. Currently, players have the option of wearing this type of equipment.
RICHARDSON CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY WITH ENHANCED WEBSITE
Richardson is celebrating its 56th year in business with the rollout of its newly revamped website. The new website and enhanced customization capabilities underscore the company’s strong commitment to providing a best-inclass customer experience now and for years to come. Richardson is a member and supporter of NSGA.
GARED PERFORMANCE SPORTS SYSTEMS ACQUIRED BY GERFLOR
NFHS, NCAA LACROSSE BALL COLOR REQUIREMENTS CHANGING
NCAA men’s lacrosse will see a change in standard game ball color to fluorescent
Gared Performance Sports Systems (GPSS) announced it has been acquired by Gerflor, a worldwide company that specializes in flexible floor coverings. Continued on page 34
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NEWS NOW Continued from page 33 “By combining Gerflor’s expertise with GPSS’s century-long legacy in athletic equipment, we are strengthening our ability to provide more complete solutions for sports facilities while continuing to invest in the products, service and support you expect,” GPSS announced in a news release. Gared Performance Sports Systems is a member of NSGA.
value to customers across the apparel decoration industry. STAHLS’ is a long-time member and supporter of NSGA. Ted Stahl is a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.
MOMENTEC BRANDS UNVEILS FULLY OPERATIONAL TECHENHANCED PERFORMANCE CENTER
S + S UNVEILS NEW BRAND
S&S Activewear rebranded to S&S, reflecting the company’s evolution into a growth partner that helps customers succeed through a powerful combination of products, technology, service and business solutions. S&S introduced its new brand identity, featuring an updated logo and the tagline, “Take Your Vision Further,” to customers, supplier partners and industry leaders at its annual Growth Summit conference. S&S is a supporter of NSGA.
Momentec Brands unveiled its plan to modernize the supply chain and scale operations for the future by consolidating all its brands into its new, state-of-the-art Performance Center in Kannapolis, North Carolina. This massive 755,000 square-foot technology infused facility marks a major operational milestone by successfully unifying five legacy distribution centers under one single, highly automated roof.
Rawlings is a member and supporter of NSGA. Mike Thompson, Harry Latina, Claude Carr and Ed Horner of Rawlings are in the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.
WINMARK, CCM HOCKEY EXTEND RESALE PARTNERSHIP Winmark Corporation, the nationally recognized franchisor behind Play It Again Sports®, announced a threeyear extension of its strategic partnership with CCM Hockey, building on the momentum of their groundbreaking sustainability collaboration first launched in 2023. The official resale partnership has been renewed through 2029 to enhance affordability and circularity in hockey communities across North America. Winmark Corporation is a member of NSGA and John Davenport, Manager of Buying Operations, is a wmember of the NSGA Board of Directors.
Momentec Brands is a member and supporter of NSGA.
RAWLINGS ANNOUNCES FIRST AUSL GOLD GLOVE FINALISTS
STAHLS’ ADDS SISER TO FAMILY OF COMPANIES
STAHLS’ added Siser, a global leader in heat transfer vinyl (HTV) and material innovation, as part of the STAHLS’ family of companies. The relationship brings together complementary expertise in materials, decoration technologies, equipment, and application solutions, allowing both companies to continue delivering
34>> NSGA NOW®
Rawlings Sporting Goods announced the first finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). This award honors the best individual fielding performances in the AUSL, the highest level of professional softball in the United States.
For the latest news and a deeper look at the stories featured in this issue, visit the News section by scanning QR code or go to nsga.org/news/ or check out the NSGA Scoreboard sent out weekly.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT NOW
GIVE
ME
5
WITH
CHAD BOLLWEG
President & CEO, LEAGUE OUTFITTERS | Jessup, Maryland
1
THE FOUNDATION OF LEAGUE OUTFITTERS
I was raised around sports and the sporting goods industry through our family businesses. My dad owned a sports camp company that worked with NFL players to run summer football camps for boys ages 7–18 throughout the United States. We operated sporting goods stores at many of the camp locations, so from a young age I was exposed to both the sports and business sides of the industry. Those experiences really sparked my passion for sporting goods and ultimately led me to build my career in the industry.
2
WHAT MAKES THE INDUSTRY ENJOYABLE
The people. What I enjoy most are the genuine relationships that develop over the years with our team members, suppliers, customers and other dealers throughout the industry. I especially enjoy attending conferences and buying shows because they give us the opportunity to catch up in person, talk business and also connect on a more personal level. Over time, many of those relationships become much more than business relationships, and that is something I truly value about this industry.
3
KEYS TO BIG LEAGUE SUCCESS
People. Processes. Technology. Customer service. It all starts with having talented people who trust one another and are committed to working toward a common goal every day. From there, success requires disciplined processes, accountability and the right technology and resources to empower each team member to succeed in their role. When those pieces work together, it allows us to consistently serve our customers well, earn their trust and build long-term loyalty.
4
BALANCING ACT OF RETAIL AND TEAM SALES
I learned early in my career that retail and team sales really feed one another. If we take great care of an individual parent or player, that experience can lead to a referral to a coach and ultimately to team business. In the same way, when we properly service a coach or organization, they often refer their players and families back to us for their individual sporting goods needs. The key is providing a consistent level of service
across both sides of the business so each one helps strengthen the other.
5
BENEFITS OF NSGA MEMBERSHIP
One of the biggest benefits of NSGA membership is the opportunity to stay connected with people throughout the sporting goods industry. The NSGA Leadership Conference is a fantastic event for networking, reconnecting with longtime industry relationships and meeting people we may not currently be doing business with. The speakers also consistently provide valuable insight and thought-provoking ideas that challenge us to think differently and bring new ideas back to our business.
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