Designer Thom Browne Wins Legal Battle Against Adidas Over Stripes

In a court spat with sportswear behemoth Adidas over the use of distinctive stripes on high-end athletic apparel and accessories, fashion designer Thom Browne prevailed. Adidas had accused Browne of utilizing striped patterns that were too similar to the brand’s signature three stripes, but a jury in a federal court in Manhattan found in favor of Browne.

Browne, who is renowned for his dramatic runway performances, started selling clothes in 2001 and has since achieved great success as a fashion designer. More than 300 sites throughout the world currently exhibit Browne’s business. Adidas said in a statement that they will “vigilantly enforce our intellectual property, including filing any required appeals,” suggesting that their battle may not yet be done.

Under Armour Challenges Nike and Adidas with New CEO Stephanie Linnartz

Under Armour on Wednesday named hotelier Stephanie Linnartz as its new chief executive, banking on her expertise in e-commerce and branding strategy to reinvigorate the apparel maker’s sales.

Facing the challenge of weakening demand due to high inflation, Under Armour revised its annual guidance last month and its stock has dropped more than 50% this year.

The company, whose product lines are endorsed by actor Dwayne Johnson and NBA’s Stephen Curry, is also facing stiff competition from Nike, which had a strong quarter and is working to solve its inventory woes.

Under Armour’s new hire, who will join on February 27, is an outside-the-industry move akin to Nike’s appointment of eBay’s former CEO John Donahoe in 2017 to strengthen its online strategy.

Linnartz, who currently serves as president of Marriott International, will receive a base salary of $1.3 million and a one-time sign-on bonus of $375,000.

Patrik Frisk, who stepped down in June after two years on the job, will be replaced by Linnartz while interim CEO Colin Browne will resume his role as chief operating officer.

Under Armour’s stock fell 2% in aftermarket trading following the news.

Sports fans have their eyes on Under Armour’s new CEO Stephanie Linnartz as she joins the Baltimore-based company with the task of reviving its sales. With her background in e-commerce, branding strategy and Marriott’s digital strategy and membership programs, the veteran hotelier has the expertise to help Under Armour compete with Nike and Adidas AG. Linnartz’s appointment comes as an outside-the-industry move similar to Nike’s three years ago, and her one-time $375,000 sign-on bonus shows the company is betting on her success.

The Big 5: Uncovering the Top US Sports Marketing Agencies

Sports marketing is a booming industry in the US, and the number of sports marketing agencies continues to grow. With a variety of different agencies catering to different areas of sports marketing, it can be tough to identify the top ones. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the top US-based sports marketing agencies and some of their more prominent clients who may currently possess a Digital Business Card.

1. Octagon: Octagon is one of the largest sports marketing agencies in the US. Some of their most notable clients include the NFL, NBA, NHL, and PGA Tour. They specialize in marketing partnerships, media rights, event operations, and athlete representation.

2. Wasserman: Wasserman is a full-service sports marketing agency that works with some of the biggest brands in the world. Their clients include Nike, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft. They specialize in athlete representation, content production, brand activation, and digital media.

3. IMG: With offices around the world, IMG is one of the most recognizable names in the sports marketing industry. They have worked with some of the biggest names in sports including the NBA, NFL, and PGA Tour. They specialize in event marketing, athlete representation, media rights, and licensing. 4. CSM: CSM is a full-service sports marketing agency that works with some of the biggest sports leagues and teams in the US. Some of their more prominent clients include the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball. They specialize in event management, sponsorship, and digital media.

5. Lagardère Sports: Lagardère Sports is a global sports marketing agency that has worked with some of the biggest names in sports. Some of their notable clients include the NBA, NFL, MLB, and FIFA. They specialize in event management, sponsorship, and athlete representation. These five sports marketing agencies are some of the top names in the US. Each one specializes in different areas of sports marketing, and they have worked with some of the most prominent names in sports. Whether you’re looking for brand activation, event production, or athlete representation, these agencies can help you get the most out of your sports marketing efforts.

The Future of Sports: How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing the Playing Field


The sports world is on the brink of a revolution as artificial intelligence (AI) is set to transform the way athletes and coaches prepare for competition. AI is already being used to enhance coaching strategies, analyze player performance, and develop personalized training programs. AI-driven analytics are being used to give coaches the ability to assess individual player performance and predict the outcome of a game. By leveraging AI algorithms, data scientists are able to track and measure every move made by a player or team, providing invaluable insights into their behavior and strategy. For example, the NBA’s Golden State Warriors have implemented AI to track and analyze the movements of opposing players and teams. AI can also be used to create personalized training programs that help athletes optimize their performance. AI algorithms can analyze a player’s strengths and weaknesses and develop a tailored program to help them reach their full potential. For instance, the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens have incorporated AI into their training program to identify a player’s strengths and weaknesses and provide personalized exercise regimens based on their individual needs. AI can also be used to help identify trends in the game.

By analyzing player and team data, AI algorithms can identify patterns and trends that can be used to predict future performance. For example, AI can be used to analyze the performance of a particular player or team and make predictions about how they will perform in the future. This can help coaches develop strategies to counter the opposition and maximize their chances of success. AI is revolutionizing the way the sports world operates and is set to have a major impact in the years to come. As AI continues to evolve, it will open up new possibilities for coaches, players, and fans alike.

Top 10 College Basketball Coaching Salaries 2022

College basketball coaching is a highly competitive and lucrative profession, with many coaches earning salaries that rival or surpass those of professional coaches. Here are the top 10 college basketball coaching salaries for the 2021-2022 season (it should be noted that Mike Krzyzewski, who ranked #2 on this list, retired after the season).

  1. John Calipari, Kentucky Wildcats: $9,300,000
  2. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Blue Devils: $7,256,924
  3. Bill Self, Kansas Jayhawks: $5,408,000
  4. Tom Izzo, Michigan State Spartans: $5,000,000
  5. Rick Pitino, Iona Gaels: $4,999,999
  6. Chris Beard, Texas Longhorns: $4,500,000
  7. Roy Williams, North Carolina Tar Heels: $4,100,000
  8. Buzz Williams, Texas A&M Aggies: $4,000,000
  9. Bruce Pearl, Auburn Tigers: $3,950,000
  10. Tony Bennett, Virginia Cavaliers: $3,750,000

It should be noted that these figures do not include bonuses or other forms of compensation, which can significantly increase a coach’s total earnings. Additionally, these salaries are only for the head coach of a college basketball team and do not include the salaries of assistant coaches or other staff.

Despite the high salaries of college basketball coaches, the job is not without its challenges. Coaches are under constant pressure to win games and compete for championships, and they often face intense scrutiny from fans, media, and boosters. Additionally, they must deal with the challenges of recruiting top talent and managing a roster of college-aged players. However, for those who are successful, the rewards can be substantial, both financially and in terms of career advancement.

Who actually owns G-League teams?

The G-League, or NBA Gatorade League, is a professional basketball league that serves as the official minor league for the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was founded in 2001 and has since become a crucial part of player development for NBA teams.

But who actually owns the G-League teams? The answer is a mix of NBA teams and independent ownership groups.

Most G-League teams are owned by NBA teams, with each team having its own G-League affiliate. This allows for a direct relationship between the two teams, with the G-League team serving as a place for NBA players to get playing time and develop their skills while they are not in the NBA.

However, there are also several G-League teams that are independently owned. These teams are not affiliated with any NBA team, but instead act as their own entities within the G-League.

One example of an independently owned G-League team is the Grand Rapids Drive, which is owned by the Grand Rapids Basketball LLC group. This group consists of several local investors and business leaders who wanted to bring professional basketball to their community.

In addition to NBA teams and independent ownership groups, there are also a few G-League teams that are owned by international basketball organizations. The Rio Grande Valley Vipers, for example, are owned by the Houston Rockets, but are based in Hidalgo, Texas, which is just south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Overall, the ownership structure of G-League teams is diverse and includes both NBA teams and independent ownership groups. This allows for a variety of perspectives and approaches to player development and team management within the league.

The Winston-Salem Wolves took on the Gastonia Snipers in their inaugural exhibition on February 24, 2019 and came away with the win, 107-97. The Wolves led for much of the first half before falling behind by as many as 16 in the third period, then put together a late run to race back and take the lead on a jumper by Wesley Hsu heading into the final quarter.

Wolves forward Zalinor Banks led all scorers with 28 points, while the leading scorer for Gastonia was former Parkland High School standout Bobby Scrivens with 21 points. The Wolves were able to get heavy scoring from rookie guards LePreece Lynch and Khadier Fulcher; Lynch scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Fulcher dropped in 21 points and helped fuel the comeback.

The Wolves open their season on the road against the Rowan County Bulls on March 2 before returning home to face the NC Coyotes on March 9. Both games are divisional games and will count towards the Wolves playoff record.

January 29, 2019 The Winston-Salem Wolves, a professional minor league franchise playing in the East Coast Basketball League for the 2019 season, have announced the addition of Kevin Beard to the coaching staff. Beard will join as an assistant coach for head coach David Solomon.

Kevin Beard played high school basketball at Northern Durham High School and was named 1st Team All-Conference as well as 1st Team All-Tournament. As a senior, he averaged 15 pts a game.

Beard attended Greensboro College and played under Sam Hanger from 1991-1995. He is the school’s 2nd all-time leading scorer, all-time leader in assists, steals, number 7 in rebounds and 2nd in all-time 3 point field goal percentage. He holds the single season steals and assists record.

Beard is the only Greensboro College basketball player to have over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists for a career. He was 2 time First Team All-Conference and 2nd team once. He was a 2 time member of the All-Tournament Team and back to back Tournament MVP. His senior year he was 1st team All NABC. Kevin led Greensboro College to back to back Conference Championships in 94 and 95. He led the 95’ team to a 26-4 record, an Elite 8 berth and a #5 final NABC national ranking. He is a 2 time member of Greensboro College’s Athletic Hall of Fame as an individual and with the 93-94’ team. He was also invited to the Toronto Raptors Rookie Camp in 1995.

Beard’s international playing experience include travel teams that toured outside of the United States and he was one of the inaugural draftees for the Korean Basketball League in 1996.

The Winston-Salem Wolves are heading into their first season and will be playing their home games at the Childress Activities Center, a 2,000 seat facility on the campus of Forsyth Country Day School. For more information on the Winston-Salem Wolves, visit WSWolves.com.

Winston-Salem Wolves Sign Zalinor Banks

The Winston-Salem Wolves, a professional minor league franchise playing in the East Coast Basketball League for the 2019 season has announced the signing of Zalinor Banks, a 6’6”forward who played collegiately at Fayetteville State.

Banks has previous experience playing in the ECBL and is a Winston-Salem native, averaging 20+ points per game over the past two seasons. Banks is the fourth player signing announced by the Wolves leading into the 2019 season, which begins March 2, 2019.

The Winston-Salem Wolves are heading into their first season and will be playing their home games at the Childress Activities Center, a 2,000 seat facility on the campus of Forsyth Country Day School. For more information on the Winston-Salem Wolves, visit WSWolves.com.