September 2014

INDUSTRY NEWS

BRG Sports Sells Easton Hockey
to Chartwell Investments

BRG Sports, Inc., formerly Easton-Bell Sports, announced that Chartwell Investments, a New York-based private investment firm, has partnered with senior hockey management to acquire its Easton Hockey business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the New York Post quoted a source saying Chartwell put up little or no money and BRG financed the sale.

The sale of Easton Hockey officially marks the departure of the Easton brand from the BRG Sports portfolio. This deal was preceded by a series of transactions involving the Easton businesses that commenced earlier this year. In April, the Company completed the sale of its Easton Baseball/Softball business to Performance Sports Group and announced the sale of its Easton Cycling business to industry veteran Chris Tutton, which was completed in June.

In May, BRG Sports acquired C-Preme Ltd., a leading designer and developer of protective helmets and sporting goods for children, teens and adults. The Company also transitioned from Easton-Bell Sports to BRG Sports as part of the anticipated completion of the Easton transactions.

"We are confident that with Chartwell's guidance and passion for this business, Easton Hockey will continue to push the limits in their sport and achieve great success," said BRG Sports Executive Chairman and CEO Terry Lee.

With this deal, Chartwell appointed former Bell Sports CEO and current BRG Sports board of director member Mary George as CEO of Easton Hockey. Matt Arndt will continue in his role as President and General Manager of the business.

Sher-Wood Athletics Group Acquires
Assets of Sher-Wood Hockey

Sher-Wood Athletics Group has acquired all assets and liabilities of Sher-Wood Hockey Inc., from Callidus Capital Inc. Sher-Wood Athletics is part of the Gracious Living Group of Companies in Vaughn, Ontario.

"We are proud to carry on the tradition of Canadian ownership of the iconic Sher-Wood brand," said Vito Galloro, Founder and Executive Vice President of Gracious Living Corporation and CEO for the Sher-Wood Athletics Group. "We are excited to continue the longstanding tradition of Sher-Wood Hockey as we work to build upon the 65 year history of this Canadian brand.

"With our expertise in manufacturing, retail and marketing we believe that we will once again return Sher-Wood to its place as a leader in hockey sticks and equipment in Canada, USA and Europe."

NHL Hall of Fame players, Raymond Bourque, Bobby Clarke, Paul Coffey, Guy Lafleur (above) and Ken Dryden all used Sher-Wood hockey sticks, along with current NHL players Bobby Ryan of the Ottawa Senators, Ryan Trouba of the Winnipeg Jets and Paul Stastny of the St. Louis Blues.

Sher-Wood Athletics will have two wholly owned divisions: Sher-Wood Hockey (GL) Inc., which will manage the hockey business, and Sher-Wood Sports Licensing Inc., which will focus on licensing opportunities and continue to supply the National Hockey League with the official game puck.

Bauer Hockey Contributes $4 Million
to NYC Ice Center Project

Bauer Hockey has contributed $4 million for converting the Kingsbridge Armory in New York City into the world's largest ice sports center. Although the Kingsbridge National Ice Center project has not signed an official lease with New York City or started construction, former NHL star and Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier believes Bauer's investment is a step in the right direction.

"The partnership with Bauer Hockey only strengthens our commitment to make the Kingsbridge National Ice Center one of the nation's top facilities and revitalize the Kingsbridge neighborhood," Messier said in a statement. "It really is a great day for all of us who love hockey and love what is about to unfold here in the Bronx."

Plans for the ice center call for nine full-size rinks, a 5,000-seat arena, a 50,000 square foot community center and a health and training facility.

ON THE ICE

Look-Up Line Developed to

Decrease Board Injuries

A pair of paralyzing accidents where Thomas Smith of Boston crashed headfirst into the boards while playing hockey inspired him to help make the game less dangerous. Smith now runs a foundation looking to paint a "Look-Up Line" near the boards in hockey rinks.

The orange warning track is 40 inches wide and extends all the way around the boards to help players know when they are in a dangerous area.

Smith told USA TODAY that he estimates 225 rinks in 27 stats will have the "Look-Up Line" by Oct. 1. Smith estimates the cost at $500 for six or seven gallons of paint and labor. USA Hockey hasn't endorsed the plan because it wants to study it to determine its effectiveness.

Click here to read the full USA TODAY story.

USA Hockey, Harrow Sports Continue Partnership for National University Teams

USA Hockey has entered into a multi-year agreement with Harrow Sports to continue as the official equipment, uniform, apparel, and bag supplier of the 2015 and 2017 USA Hockey Men's and Women's National University Team. The partnership supports the U.S. National University Teams participating in the Winter World University Games.

The Winter World University Games are held every two years and Harrow Sports has played an integral role since partnering with USA Hockey in 2008, including the most recent success of the men's and women's team in 2013. Both squads had their best finish ever, with the women earning a bronze medal and the men finishing fourth. Harrow has worked with the men's team three times (2009, 2011, 2013) and the women's team once (2013).

Players from the American Collegiate Hockey Association will make up the U.S. roster for the men's and women's ice hockey competition at the 27th Winter World University Games in Granada, Spain on Feb. 4-14, 2015.

Rask Plays Street Hockey to Help Underprivileged Kids

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask had the chance to get ready for the season and help underprivileged kids recently when he played street hockey with 10- and 11-year-old girls from the Boston Junior Eagles to benefit Good Sports.

The Junior Eagles players had the opportunity to scrimmage with Rask and take part in a question-and-answer session. They won an auction for the event in the spring at Good Sports' annual fundraiser at Fenway Park.

"It's always fun to deal with kids in any regard, and today was a perfect day for a little street hockey - it can't get better than that," Rask told the Boston Globe.

Good Sports is a non-profit organization with a mission of providing athletic equipment, footwear and apparel to disadvantaged youth nationwide. In the fall, Good Sports will have impacted more than 1 million kids by donating more than $11 million of equipment to thousands of organizations.

Click here to read the full story.

BUSINESS BEAT

Poll: Momentum for Marketplace Fairness

at All-Time High

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) released the results of a national poll that shows that seven in 10 Americans support legislation requiring sales tax collection at the time of an online purchase. This represents an increase of six percentage points since 2013 and 11 percentage points since 2012.

NSGA, like the ICSC, is a member of the Marketplace Fairness Coalition, made up of national, regional and state retail and business groups that are working to achieve an even playing field for hometown retailers.

"This is an issue that NSGA has supported on behalf of our retailer and team dealer members since the introduction of the Marketplace Fairness Act," said NSGA President & CEO Matt Carlson. "We continue to urge our members to reach out to their U.S. Senators and Representatives to pass this tax fairness legislation. Our members shouldn't have to go through another holiday selling season competing for business in an unfair arena. Our elected officials haven't agreed on much, but the Senate overwhelmingly supported this legislation on both sides of the political aisle. Now is the time to get it done."

The poll also found that 82% of Americans think collecting sales tax from online-only vendors at the time of purchase is easier, up by four percentage points since 2013 (78%) and seven percentage points since 2012 (75%). This is the only national poll that has tracked attitudes among Americans on these two issues for three consecutive years.

The national poll identified a number of key findings, including:

70% of Americans support federal legislation that would require online-only sellers to collect sales tax at the time of purchase.
56% of Americans believe that collecting sales tax from online-only vendors at the time of purchase is fairer to local retailers.
82% of Americans think it would be easier to collect sales tax from online-only vendors at the time of purchase.
93% of Americans say local retailers are important to their community's economic health.

How Stores Can Compete with Digital

The Columbia Business School's Center on Leadership study published last September suggested there are strategic opportunities for retailers to capture more sales in their stores:

Offer price matching or online coupons. About 78 percent of mobile shoppers surveyed said they would shop in a store that was offering price matching. And 60 percent said online coupons on their mobile devices would push them to buy in a brick-and-mortar location.

Focus on convenience. Providing free home delivery, offering extended warranties and allowing shoppers to pay with a mobile device will drive shoppers to stores.

Create the right buzz. About 60 percent of mobile users said they found online reviews helpful in making in-store purchases. And more than half said they relied on information from friends.

Offer loyalty programs. More than half of respondents said they liked loyalty programs available on their mobile devices to be used in the store.

JOIN OR RENEW NOW!

Now is the time to become a new member or renew your membership with the Hockey Dealers Association. You can do it easily by clicking here to fill out an application and learn more about the benefits of being a part of the voice for hockey dealers.

Sincerely,

Chuck Suritz

csuritz@nsga.org

Marty Maciaszek
mmaciaszek@nsga.org

In This Issue

INDUSTRY NEWS: BRG Sports Sells Easton Hockey to Chartwell Investments

ON THE ICE: Look-Up Line Developed to Decrease Board Injuries

BUSINESS BEAT: Poll Shows Momentum for Marketplace Fairness at All-Time High

JOIN OR RENEW NOW!

Nominations Open for NSGA All-Star Awards!

Created in 2011, the NSGA All-Star Awards recognize the most outstanding accomplishments and contributions made within the sporting goods industry throughout the previous year. The goal of the All-Star Awards is to honor activities that should be recognized and repeated throughout the industry.

The 2015 All-Star Awards will be presented at the Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit, May 3-6, 2015 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Tex. Awards will be presented in the Community Collaboration and Industry Catalyst categories.

The nomination period for the 2015 All-Star Awards program is now open until Nov. 7, 2014. If you have questions about the program, contact Meghan Beach, NSGA Marketing and Membership Program Manager, at awards@nsga.org or by phone at (847) 296-6742, ext. 1280.

NSGA Starts New Job Board

Are you looking for a simple way to find the right candidate for an open position? Are you trying to locate that great job in the Sporting Goods Industry?

Then check out NSGA's New Job Board targeted specifically toward the Sporting Goods Industry. Click here to learn more about this FREE benefit for NSGA and HDA members.

Did you know?

Bob Suter is the first member of the "Miracle On Ice" gold-medal winning 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team to pass away. Suter, who was a defenseman, died at 57 of a massive heart attack on Sept. 9 at the ice rink he owned in Middleton, Wis.