BUSINESS NEWS
Want to stay up to date on the latest press releases and business news in the running, cycling and triathlon industries? Scroll below to view all endurance sports business news.
October 18, 2021
USA Crits teams and races withdraw after managing director dismissed over SafeSport ban
USA Crits teams L39ION and Aevolo Cycling have both announced that they won't compete anymore in the series, while partner races Boise Twilight Criterium and Tulsa Tough have both discontinued their association with the national series too, following the recent suspension regarding USA Crits' long-time managing director, Scott Morris over...
October 17, 2021
Google’s Fitbit Purchase Under Regulatory Scrutiny
Google's $2.1 billion purchase of wearable company Fitbit, finalized in January, is under regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. and Australia. The company is appealing an antitrust fine from the European Commission regarding privacy issues about the tech giant’s huge store of consumer data. Front Office Sports
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
Patent Watch: Trek, Canyon and others patent bike boxes for the D2C market
A box designed for consumers is precisely what Trek has targeted in a recent patent application, Bicycle Packaging System. The Detailed Description section of the patent filing is surprisingly clear (unlike the broad language common in patent descriptions) about this: “Described herein are methods and systems for packaging bicycles that are to be...
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 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...