Team Insight

14 • Team Insight ~ May/June 2024 teaminsightmag.com O ne of the most respected veterans in the team sports industry, Mike ompson will be inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame during the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) Leadership Conference in Phoenix, AZ, on May 22. Team Insight caught up with ompson as he prepared for his induction into the Class of 2024 to find out his feelings about this honor for him and Rawlings, how the world of team sports has changed in his tenure and where he goes from here. Let's start with this: What does your Hall of Fame induction mean to you personally? It is something I never expected or even thought much about. In fact, I was really surprised and very excited when I received the call. It is really hard for me to think about "me" as an individual joining the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame when there are so many people along the way that gave me an opportunity, mentored me and provided guidance that helped shape my career. How about to Rawlings as a company? I will be the third person in the 137-year history of Rawlings to be inducted into the HOF. Harry Latina was the first in 1972. He was responsible for putting Rawlings on the map in the baseball glove category and he designed gloves for HOFers such as Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial and Reggie Jackson. He really set the industry standard for glove design. Claude Carr was inducted in 1982. He was a former president who was responsible for transforming Rawlings from a small regional manufacturer to one of the pillars in sports. Rawlings deserves some kudos for that trio. I personally think there are several other Rawlings individuals who had incredible careers and are worthy of a HOF induction. What has been your role at Rawlings? My career with Rawlings began May 21, 1984, as a sales rep in Southern California. Five years later I was promoted to regional sales manager responsible for the 13 western states. In 1994 I accepted the opportunity as VP-sales and moved my family to St. Louis. I have held numerous positions since, including my current role as the chief marketing officer overseeing our pro baseball activity, brand marketing, sports marketing, digital marketing and all things in between. You have seen it all first hand, so how have you seen the team sports business – and Rawlings – change over that time? First and foremost, and not to state the obvious, but there is simply the lack of powerhouse team dealers as compared to a few years ago. We certainly know that! How have things changed in particular? Back in the day, every small, medium and large city had reputable team dealers where athletes could purchase high-end performance product. ose dealers would also represent your brand in schools and leagues. As the team dealer base was shrinking, brands needed to shi strategy and find a way to reconnect directly with the athlete, the school and the leagues in order to keep their brand relevant. Consequently, there is now a balancing act between the existing team dealer base and brands that sell direct. What else has changed? We are also seeing an escalation in MIKE THOMPSON CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, RAWLINGS / SPORTING GOODS INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2024 ONE-ON-ONE PROJECT Mike Thompson and his wife, Colleen.

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