DIAMOND’S PITCH UP ON TOP PROTECTION GAME NICE TOUCH A Dealer’s Best Friend Customization Rules 12 Products We Like A Little Embellishment DEALERS SPEAK OUT: An Exclusive Team Insight Survey Basketball offers opportunities and challenges for dealers looking to score HARDCOURT PERMIT # 191 # PERMIT ITHACA, NY ITHACA, PAID US POSTAGE US RR STD PRSRT A FORMULA4 MEDIA PUBLICATION / JULY 2015 1717 1718 1712 1713 BLOCK OUT LONG SLEEVE JERSEY BLOCK OUT JERSEY ADULT S-2XL YOUTH S-L ADULT S-2XL YOUTH S-L AVAILABLE IN 9 COLORWAYS AVAILABLE IN 9 COLORWAYS 1715 1716 BLOCK OUT SHORT ADULT S-2XL YOUTH S-L AVAILABLE IN 9 COLORWAYS 1714 LADIES BLOCK OUT JERSEY LADIES S-2XL AVAILABLE IN 9 COLORWAYS 6097 6096 ROSTER SOCK BLACK/GRAPHITE/WHITE SOLD INDIVIDUALLY, NOT AS PAIR Are you enjoying the advantages of being an Augusta Sportswear customer? Visit www.augustasportswear.com/pages/advantage-augusta to find out! WWW.AUGUSTASPORTSWEAR.COM | 1.800.237.6695 Editor Michael Jacobsen [email protected] 201-396-7005 Editorial Staff Tim Sitek, Senior Editor Nancy Baeder, Correspondent Mike May, Correspondent Keith Lawrence, Research Art Director JULY 2015 Francis Klaess Associate Art Director Mary McGann Designer Brandon Christie Publisher Jeff Gruenhut [email protected] 404-467-9980 Advertising Sam Selvaggio [email protected] HARD COURT 212-398-5021 Mark Sullivan [email protected] 646-319-7878 Jeff Nott [email protected] 516-305-4711 Troy Leonard [email protected] 352-624-1561 Beth Gordon [email protected] 949-293-1378 Production Michael Jacobsen [email protected] 201-396-7005 Subscriptions www.teaminsightmag.com Business Manager Marianna Rukhvarger [email protected] 8 Trends 44 Driving the Lane 516-305-4709 Nill Takes the Helm at NSGA; High School Rule Hoops are a year-round business — now if only there Changes Impacting Dealers; State of the Games was more equipment to sell to those ’ballers. 14 What’s On Your Mind? 50 Safety First Formula 4 Media, LLC Dealers from across America speak out on the four Protection comes in all shapes and sizes in team PO Box 23-1318 issues that dominate their thoughts every day. sports in 2015 — 12 products that fit the bill. Great Neck, NY 11023 Phone: 516-305-4710; Fax: 516-441-5692 www.formula4media.com 24 Different Pitch 56 The Decorating Playbook Formula4 Media Publications Baseball and softball remain key categories for Embellishing is the advantage dealers bring to the Sports Insight Outdoor Insight dealers who rely on the two distinct markets. table over Internet competition. Footwear Insight Team Insight 34 ‘Travel Ball’ Debated Textile Insight 60 Bag Men Running Insight The key players weigh in on the pros and cons of Decorating and customization take center stage in Trend Insight elite teams and their impact on team sports. the bag business, according to two executives. Team Insight ©2015 is a trademark of Formula4Media, LLC, Great Neck, New York. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed 36 Put A Lid On It 66 End Zone by authors and contributors to Team Insight Technology in the headwear business lets dealers sit BSN Acquires B&B; Matix Joins Pukka; Soccer are not necessarily those of the editors or on top of fashion and performance trends. Concussion Lawsuit; Kelly Joins Rage Fitness publishers. Team Insight is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Articles appearing in Team Insight may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher. Team Insight is published six times each year: GET MORE INSIGHT! January, March, May, July, September and November by Formula4Media, LLC.. teaminsight.com PO Box 23-1318, Great Neck, NY 11023 Subscriptions: one year, $24.00 (U.S. Funds)in the United States. insideinsightblog.com All other countries,$54.00 (U.S. Funds) for surface mail. facebook.com/teaminsight 4 Team Insight / July 2015 teaminsightmag.com MICHAEL JACOBSEN Cal Ripken, Jr. has developed his own philosophy of what makes a good teammate — and his advice translates well into the world of team sports. Only 2608 More To Go It takes more than just showing up every day to make a good teammate. have come to work every UÊPassion. You have to love what said. “There are no shortcuts.” day for the past month as I you do — that’s what carries you UÊLife Management. In other put together this July issue through the tough times. “There words, life is not all about work I of Team Insight. And I plan to are too many people in this — or play. “You have to try work every day this week to get world doing things they hate,” to control the things you can it done, but then take Friday off Ripken said. control,” he advised. to hopefully enjoy a long summer UÊLove of Competition. This And Ripken had one other piece weekend out of the office. That’s a competition is both internal of advice that team dealers may whopping 24 days in a row. and external. Competing against want to incorporate into their That leaves me only 2608 yourself requires you to look in business and personal lives. “You behind Cal Ripken’s record for the mirror and give an honest have to have the courage to get consecutive games played. evaluation of who you are. To in the game,” Ripken advised. But my good friend Cal – we the outside world, this means “Nobody ever accomplished met for two minutes at the recent having the courage to practice anything from the sidelines.” NSGA Management Conference the things you are not good at True words from a true role and Team Dealer Summit in and then go out and perform as model and advice we should all Austin, TX, where he was the The editor gives Cal Ripken, Jr. (the well as you can. apply to both our personal and taller guy on the left, with less hair) some keynote speaker -- would be okay advice on showing up to work every day. UÊConsistency. You can’t always business lives. Team dealers need with that, because contrary to be a hero, but you can always to get in – and stay in – the game what his amazing games-played would take a few hours off. be someone your teammates every day to compete. I listened streak would indicate, he firmly As he showed up for work every can count on to give an honest and learned, but I still think I am believes it is more about quality day during The Streak, Ripken effort. “These contributions on still going to take Friday off as part than quantity when it comes to developed his own philosophy a daily basis are what make you of my own work/life balance. O work performance. Apparently of what makes a good player valuable,” Ripken said. there is more to work than just and teammate — and his advice UÊConviction. When you feel you showing up. translates well into the world of are right about something you Because, as Ripken told the team sports. Among his points: have to have the strength to gathered audience of team dealers, UÊThe Right Attitude. Coming to stick up for yourself, “to see retailers and vendors, you can’t work is one thing, but coming things through to the end.” be a good team player without a with a fire within to compete UÊStrength. This means being passion for what you do. Indeed, and to do the best job you can strong both physically and there are people who show up possibly do is what makes you a mentally. “It is all about how you for work every day that you wish valuable player. prepare for your job,” Ripken 1OVER 50 NEW NUMBER STYLES1(/(+,1(*'+2(++ 1."%%"'0%($"' *+"('*+"+,',&,*"% 1*,(*)*(*&'/*+-%"&,#*+0+''0%('&+! Place your order today at Stahls.com/pre-cut *-,-&* "'! '-&+,0%!",!*&(® *-,,,*+ "'!*(%($+,0%!",!*&(® ,!%+(&1 6 Team Insight / July 2015 teaminsightmag.com TEAM / TRENDS Nill Takes the Helm at NSGA Team dealer outlines his vision for his two years as association chairman. ong-time team dealer Randy Are there any particular initiatives So give us the sales pitch for team Nill has taken the reins for you would like to see NSGA dealers to attend? his two-year term as chair- undertake in your two years as This event is one of the best L man of the National Sporting NSGA chairman? investments you’ll make all year. Goods Association (NSGA), giving The continued push for The It is worth the time and effort to the team business a unique and Marketplace Fairness Act would attend because there is nothing influential voice in the industry’s help many members in our else like it in the industry. Next retail and team dealer organization. organization. NSGA has put in a year our Management Conference Team Insight caught up with the lot of time and lobbying effort to will be held at the Westin Hilton owner of Nill Bros. Sporting Goods, help level the playing field for the Head Island Resort & Spa on Kansas City, KS, during the recent brick-and-mortar retailers and team May 22-25. We would love to see NSGA Management Conference and dealers. It is great to see the NSGA some new faces. Our retailers Team Dealer Summit in Austin, TX, develop the program with Sword and dealers should make the to get his insight into the team busi- & Shield to deal with the serious commitment to work “on” their ness today and the NSGA’s role in it. concern of cyber security because businesses, not just “at” their it is something that can affect all of businesses and the Team Dealer How do you see your role as a team us.