Sporting Goods

Val Surf Corporate Office

Val Surf was founded in Valley Village, California, in 1962 by brothers Mark, Kurt, and Eric Richards. The brothers loved everything about the ocean and surfing, but found they could only find gear at beach side stores. The Richards decided to try their luck and, with the help of Hobie Surfboards, they opened their own landlocked surf store.

Today, the company has 4 locations, none of them on the beach. In addition to selling surfing equipment, the company also provides rentals, repairs, ski gear, shoes, wetsuits, swimwear, and other beach apparel. The company also designs and manufactures their own snowboards and skateboards.

Although the company has been approached by realtors for beach city properties or questioned about pop ups, the Richards family, currently, is happy with their land-locked store locations.

Val Surf

Although the company has been approached by realtors for beach city properties or questioned about pop ups, the Richards family, currently, is happy with their land-locked store locations.

History

Body Glove Corporate Office

Body Glove was founded in Redondo Beach, California, by twin brothers Bob and Bill Meistrell in their sports shop called Dive N Surf, This pair of brothers has been credited with the development of the first practical wetsuit. After borrowing $1,800 from their mother, the pair invested in their business, eventually inventing the neoprene wetsuit to keep surfers warm.

The company designs and sells surfing and swimwear, including wetsuits, board shorts and shirts, phone cases, backpacks, and footwear and is run by almost every member of the Meistrell family. As of 2006, the company had more than $200 million in annual revenue.

Body Glove is known around the world, with retailers selling the brand in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Germany.

Body Glove

Body Glove is known around the world, with retailers selling the brand in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Germany.

History

Wilson Sporting Goods Corporate Office

Wilson Sporting Goods was founded in 1915 by Thomas Wilson in Chicago, Illinois. The company manufactures sporting goods and sportswear. The company is a subsidiary of Amer Sports, after being acquired in 1989.

The company provides equipment for numerous sports teams, as well as consumers, including golf balls and equipment, soccer, tennis, basketball, and American football. Most NFL players wear uniforms made by Wilson. In 2010, the company had annual revenue of $930 million, as well as more than 1,600 full-time employees.

Wilson announced in 2018 that they were releasing a “smart” football, designed to help teach players how to correctly throw the ball.

A Wilson volleyball was used in the Tom Hanks movie “Castaway”. In fact, the “character” of Wilson was so popular that the company began making balls with Wilson’s “face” printed on them.

Wilson Sporting Goods parent company, Amer Sports, was acquired in December 2018 for $5.2 billion by Chinese investment group Anta Sports.

Wilson Sporting Goods headquarters remains in Chicago, Illinois.

Wilson Sporting Goods

History

Wilson announced in 2018 that they were releasing a “smart” football, designed to help teach players how to correctly throw the ball.

Wilson Sporting Goods parent company, Amer Sports, was acquired in December 2018 for $5.2 billion by Chinese investment group Anta Sports.

Wilson Sporting Goods headquarters remains in Chicago, Illinois.

Rawlings Corporate Office

Rawlings was founded in 1887 in S. Louis, Missouri, by brothers, George and Alfred Rawlings. The pair originally started with a small sporting goods store and a catalog. Rawlings introduced the first football shoulder pads in 1902, as well as the first all-weather football.

The company is most associated with baseball, however, after providing the St, Louis Cardinals with baseball gloves in 1906 and in 1907, the company was providing baseballs for all major leagues. Rawlings is also credited with developing the first baseball glove with a web between the forefinger and thumb. This design is still in use today.

In January 2021, the company partnered with bat sensor company Blast Motion to create swing analysis sensors.

Rawlings has used Horween Leather Company for their products since 1929. The company was purchased by Newell Brands and operates as a subsidiary.

Rawlings

History

In January 2021, the company partnered with bat sensor company Blast Motion to create swing analysis sensors.

Rawlings has used Horween Leather Company for their products since 1929. The company was purchased by Newell Brands and operates as a subsidiary.

City Sports Corporate Office

City Sports was founded in 1983 by two high school friends who were avid Tennis players. After being unable to find sporting equipment for their game anywhere near their hometown of Boston, the pair opened their own store in Boston, Massachusetts, with the main emphasis being on running gear and tennis equipment.

The company grew substantially over the years but declared bankruptcy in 2015 and all stores were closed.

Two brothers, Blake and Brent Sonnek-Schmelz, purchased the name and reopened the eCommerce site, as well as a store in Red Bank, New Jersey. The company plans to open three more locations in 2017, including Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.

City Sports still offers a wide range of clothing and footwear, as well as other sports equipment, including yoga gear and backpacks.

The company maintains a corporate office in Eatontown, New Jersey.

City Sports

History

The company grew substantially over the years but declared bankruptcy in 2015 and all stores were closed.

City Sports still offers a wide range of clothing and footwear, as well as other sports equipment, including yoga gear and backpacks.

The company maintains a corporate office in Eatontown, New Jersey.