Business

October 14, 2021

Mindbody Acquires ClassPass, Raises $500M

Wellness technology platform Mindbody has acquired subscription-based fitness marketplace ClassPass and secured a separate $500 million investment in the combined company from Sixth Street. Financial terms of the all-stock acquisition were not disclosed, though ClassPass was valued at $1 billion after a $285 million funding round in January 2020. FOS

October 14, 2021

Bob Stapleton Steps Down as Chairman from Usa Cycling Board, Replaced by Vice Chairman Brendan Quirk

Oct. 14, 2021 (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO) -  Today, USA Cycling announces that Bob Stapleton is stepping down as chairman of the board for the organization, a position he has held since 2014. Vice chairman Brendan Quirk was elected by board members to replace Stapleton, effective immediately. Quirk was co-founder of...

October 13, 2021

USA Cycling Announces Partnership with Momentous

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo – USA Cycling is proud to announce their partnership with Momentous, and their cutting-edge performance product PR Lotion. Momentous is a performance nutrition company dedicated to creating products that support the relentless pursuit of progress in human health and performance. The company has a core consumer base...

October 13, 2021

SoftBank Invests $400M In Vuori Activewear

The investment marks one of the largest ever in a private apparel company and allows the California-based company to expand its reach to markets outside the U.S. Vuori has thrived as an online retailer — its nine brick-and-mortar locations account for roughly 10% of total sales. With SoftBank’s investment, Vuori plans to...

October 13, 2021

Pear Sports Acquires Aaptiv

Pear Sports announced the acquisition of Aaptiv, the workout app. Aligned with the acquisition, Life Fitness has added to its equity investment in Pear and will distribute Aaptiv through its sales and marketing partnership. Aaptiv, with “13 million downloads and more than 36 million classes taken,” is expected to complement...

October 12, 2021

Mary Cain suing former coach Alberto Salazar, Nike

On Monday, The Oregonian reported that former Nike Oregon Project athlete, Mary Cain, has reportedly filed a $20 million lawsuit against Nike and her former coach, Alberto Salazar, over alleged abuse. Cain is accusing Salazar of publicly shaming her over her weight, leading her to depression, an eating disorder and self-harm....

October 12, 2021

Wattbike Targets ‘Real Athletes’ with an Authentic Slice of Life In The Saddle

The ‘For Real Athletes’ campaign, which launches today with a TV spot created by MATTA and produced by Spindle, introduces us to a world of determined everyday and professional athletes, finding unique ways to integrate Wattbikes into their lives and routines to achieve their fitness goals. The TV and VoD...

October 11, 2021

Nike, Adidas Face Supply Chain Threats

The world’s biggest athletic shoe manufacturer — which works with Nike and adidas — is facing massive labor shortages in Vietnam related to the pandemic. Around 40,000 workers did not return to a Ho Chi Minh City facility owned by Taiwanese company Pou Chen Corp. when it reopened on Wednesday. The facility...

October 11, 2021

Dorel Sports bought by Pon Holdings in $810 million deal

Dorel Industries has offloaded its Dorel Sports division in an $810 million cash deal with Pon Holdings. Marking a coming together of two goliaths in the bike business, the joining of portfolios is yet to be detailed in full, but would more than likely merge the likes of Cannondale, GT,...

October 10, 2021

Marion Rousse appointed race director of Tour de France Femmes

Race organizers ASO confirmed Sunday that the French former rider and current television analyst Marion Rousse will head up the organization of next summer’s inaugural Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The women’s Tour de France will return July 24-31 after various previous incarnations of the race came to a...

October 8, 2021

Asics Ventures Invests In Bisu

Asics Corp. announced that its investment subsidiary, Asics Ventures Corporation, has invested in Bisu, Inc., a startup developing “Bisu Body Coach,” a home health lab. Bisu Body Coach is currently in beta and will launch with a nutrition test, consisting of a disposable microfluidic test stick, a reader to use...

October 8, 2021

GiveSignup | RunSignup Q3 Trends Data Show a Persistent Hybrid Model, Some Reversion to Demographic Norms

Moorestown, NJ – GiveSignup | RunSignup, the leading technology provider for endurance and fundraising events, released preliminary registration data through Q3 of 2021 to provide key metrics on the recovery of the events industry. The data shows continued recovery and consistent success of in-person events, as well as a lingering...

October 7, 2021

iFIT Delays IPO After Planning to Raise $646M

iFIT postponed its IPO on Thursday, citing adverse market conditions after planning to raise $646 million. iFIT joins Life Time Group Inc. as another fitness company recently impacted by market volatility. Life Time, which is backed by private equity firm TPG, decreased its IPO size to $702 million on Wednesday, down from $966...

October 7, 2021

Announcing InGoodTaste: An Independent Creative Consultancy Focused On Grey Space Thinking™ and Positive Cultural Change

(October 7, 2021 — San Francisco, CA) — With an extreme independence and a focus on solving problems using Grey Space Thinking, InGoodTaste has been launched by Mark Riedy, founder of TRUE Communications and digital marketing agency A Known Quantity, along with a group of managing partners. The collective team...

October 7, 2021

Showcased

Punch Gunk partners with Orange County Triathlon to provide on-course pain relief

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – Punch Gunk, the award-winning performance therapeutics company shaking up the pain relief and workout recovery industry, has partnered with the Orange County Triathlon to provide natural pain relief for athletes on course. Punch Gunk’s pain relieving lotion will be found at all aid stations throughout the...

October 7, 2021

United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA) Welcomes Long Time Endurance Sports Veteran, Matt Cramer as Director

United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA), the leader in science-based endurance sports education has announced that seasoned endurance sports manager, Matt Cramer has joined UESCA as a director. In this role, Matt will be responsible for the development of new products and the overall growth of UESCA. Matt began his...

October 6, 2021

CTS Welcomes 6 New Coaches to Expanding Staff

(Colorado Springs, October 6, 2021) – CTS, a pioneer in the endurance coaching and camps industry, today announced six new additions to their staff of 50+ professional coaches. Ruben Bacon, Miles Juneau, Michelle Foster, Nicole Rasmussen, Neal Palles, and Ryne Anderson bring unique strengths to the CTS Coaching Staff and...

October 6, 2021

Atlanta Track Club and haku Take Memberships to the Next Level Through Innovative Solutions

Effective membership programs have shifted from brands simply driving revenue to a value model where they invest in benefitting their communities – such as access, knowledge, information, experience, and belonging. Over the years, Atlanta Track Club has proven to be one of the most forward-thinking, innovative organizations that puts its...

October 5, 2021

Nike Announces Vaccine Mandate For All U.S. Office-Based Employees

Nike will now require office-based U.S. employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In a statement to FN on Tuesday, Nike said it would require all U.S. office-based employees to get the vaccine in order to support “the effort to bring people safely back to their workplaces.” Nike said it aims...

October 5, 2021

Alta Cycling Group Implements Live Data Program to Offer Real-Time Local Dealer Inventory for Consumers

KENT, Wash., (October, 5, 2021) — Alta Cycling Group, the premiere cycling company whose brands include Diamondback, iZip, Redline and Haibike, is offering its authorized dealers a new way to keep consumers that are shopping their brand’s websites informed when a bike is available locally and direct consumers to that ...

October 5, 2021

Panaracer and BUCK!T Announce Collaboration

OSAKA, JAPAN (October 5, 2021) — Panaracer Corporation of Osaka Japan and BUCK!T bags of Girona, Spain are collaborating on a handlebar and saddle bag produced using factory rejected Panaracer Gravelking tires. Both bags have lined interiors and are highly water resistant - reflecting the quality that the BUCK!T brand...

October 4, 2021

The Pro’s Closet To Merge With The Radavist

Colorado-based bike reseller The Pro’s Closet has merged with The Radavist, a cycling website based in Sante Fe. Founded by John Watson, The Radavist provides information and photographs about cycling and related outdoor activities. In May, the Pro's Closet announced it had raised an additional $40 million in Series B...

October 1, 2021

Sponsors investigating Black Cyclists Network over bullying allegations against founder

Following allegations of bullying and harassment by a member of the Black Cyclists Network, sponsors have taken action to distance themselves from the grassroots organisation while the claims are investigated. Cycling Weekly

October 1, 2021

iFIT Announces Multi-Year Exclusive Connected Treadmill and Content Partnerships With Boston, Chicago, London and New York City Marathons

(LOGAN, UT, October 1, 2021) -- iFIT, a global leader in connected fitness software, content, and equipment, today announced multi-year partnerships with the organizations behind four of the Abbott World Marathon Majors to become the Official Connected Treadmill and Digital Fitness Content Subscription partner of the Boston, Chicago, London and...

October 1, 2021

Shelley Villalobos Named Executive Director of Council for Responsible Sport

October 1, 2021, Portland, OR: Today the Council for Responsible Sport announced that Shelley Villalobos (34), its longtime managing director, has been promoted to the position of executive director. Shelley served as the Council’s certification director for three years prior to being named managing director five years ago. In making...