Team Insight

END ZONE 35 • Team Insight ~ November/December 2023 teaminsightmag.com Reeplayer Wins 2023 Start-Up Challenge A new product that is definitely of interest to the team sports business recently won the 2023 SFIA Start-Up Challenge. Reeplayer uses AI technol- ogy to autonomously record and live-stream high-quality footage for youth and amateur sports. Reeplayer's cutting-edge AI technology positions it as a premium and affordable solu- tion in an $80 billion emerging market. With more than a billion hours of sports footage uncaptured every year from 23 million teams, Reeplayer aims to standardize personalized sports content and data for consumers and businesses. e winner was selected aer a several-month selec- tion process, culminating in a live session that took place on Tuesday, October 10, with 10 finalist companies answering questions from more than 120 judges from around the industry. As the grand prize winner, Reeplayer will receive media coverage, a spotlight in one of SFIA's annual research reports, attendance and recognition at an SFIA event, and a judge seat for the 2024 SFIA Start-Up Challenge. All ten finalists who participated will be given per- sonal introductions to industry decision-makers and executives as well as one year of SFIA membership. Team Sports Added To 2028 Olympics In one of the biggest pieces of news in team sports in quite a while, last month the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially approved baseball/soball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse (Sixes) and squash for in- clusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Baseball/soball, cricket, and lacrosse return to the Games aer most recently being medal sports at Tokyo 2020, Paris 1900, and London 1908, respectively. Flag football and squash will be making their Olympic debuts in 2028. LA chairman Casey Wasserman says the new sports are "relevant, innovative and community-based, played in backyards, schoolyards, community centers, stadiums and parks across the U.S. and the globe." Varsity Brands Completes Sale of Herff Jones Varsity Brands, the parent com- pany of BSN Sports, recently completed the sale of its Herff Jones Graduation Business to Atlas Holdings. e sale in- cludes Herff Jones' Scholastic and Collegiate businesses and related manufacturing facilities. Varsity Brands will retain its Yearbook business and position it within its Varsity Spirit oper- ating segment. "e completion of the sale of our Herff Jones graduation business simplifies Varsity Brands' infrastructure and clarifies our focus," explains Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands. "We see immense potential ahead as we continue to elevate the student experience and drive passion, pride and enthusiasm onto school campuses and into communities nationwide through the highly curated products, programs and ser- vices we provide." SFIA Launches 'Super Regionals' e Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) is launching a new Super Regional Series this month, offering a localized opportunity for SFIA members, partners and industry leaders to meet about business insights and topics driving today's sporting goods and fitness environment. is series links major markets to better serve the 700 brands, manufacturers, retailers, governing bodies and sports leagues that SFIA rep- resents around the country. e Super Regionals are designed for senior-level and rising career executives in lead- ing critical functional roles for members, as well as regional sports and business leaders. e programs will provide a State of the Industry analysis and explore industry priori- ties, including growing youth sports and fitness participa- tion, leadership challenges in today's new work envi- ronment, evolving consumer behavior, athlete influence (NIL), brand marketing, in- tellectual property protection, and the impact of generative AI. Each Super Regional fea- tures a fireside chat with a top industry CEO and concludes with a cocktail networking reception. "With Super Regionals, SFIA is bringing our best content and professional development to where our members live and work," explains Tom Cove, SFIA president and CEO. "e intimate environment and accessibility of these events provide a great opportunity to engage within the industry and better serve our valued members." e 2023 Super Regional schedule: • November 1– Boston, MA: Warrior Ice Arena • November 9 – Seattle, WA: Brooks Sports Headquarters • November 15 – New York, NY: Offices of Loeb & Loeb. n GroupeStahl Names Ellsworth GroupeStahl, the heat printing technology company, has promoted Josh Ellsworth to chief revenue officer. He has worked for the company since 1999. Over the years, Ellsworth has held diverse leadership roles working for GroupeStahl, from executive vice president of sales and marketing to director of sponsorships and partner opportunities. As chief revenue officer, Ellsworth leads global sales and marketing for all GroupeStahl companies. His collaborative efforts with divisional GMs and geographic leaders will "ensure alignment with customer requirements and industry trends." ProNine Names Hulvey as NSM ProNine Sports recently hired Nathan Hulvey as its national sales manager. He brings more than 20 years of experience within the sporting goods industry in both sales and management roles, with a focus on the team section. Hulvey is responsible for generating further growth in the team sporting goods marketplace by developing new partners and continuing to expand sales through existing partners, as well as looking for further sales opportunities and areas of growth. New Era Appoints Gallo GM New Era Cap has named Steve Gallo, most recently president of the recovery footwear brand Oofos, as general manager for North America. Gallo will lead all product, marketing and commercial business in New Era Cap's largest region — the U.S. and Canadian markets. n PERSONNEL MOVES

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