#sports

• Di-k’s Sporting Goods had a major earnings miss: EPS, revenue, and same-store sales all came in below expectations, sending DKS shares down more than 25% intraday and toward a record one-day percentage decline.
• Foot Locker is becoming a serious problem for Di-k’s: The recently acquired chain disappointed, with analysts pointing to structural challenges including aging mall locations, overlapping store banners, lower-income customers, and heavy dependence on struggling brands.
• Weakness spread to footwear stocks: Di-k’s results raised concerns about the entire athletic-footwear market, pushing Nike, On Holding, and Hoka-owner Deckers lower as investors interpreted the results as evidence of industrywide softness.
  The industry has too much discounting and not enough newness: Di-k’s described the market as “increasingly promotional,” while management highlighted a lack of compelling new products. Legacy styles are being discounted and fewer meaningful launches are driving consumer excitement.
• Nike may be relatively better positioned, but it’s still vulnerable: Nike remains the most-mentioned brand in back-to-school research, yet its popularity is far below its 2021 peak and relies heavily on aging franchises such as Air Force 1. Analysts see a broader “newness drought,” with On potentially facing even greater risk because some core products are being discounted by as much as 50%.

Following recent layoffs, NFL insider Tom Pelissero has secured a new position with Netflix. He will serve as a sideline reporter and insider for Netflix's upcoming NFL Gameday coverage. Pelissero will also contribute to The Ringer's NFL podcasts, including co-hosting "The Ringer NFL Show." This move aligns with Netflix's growing investment in live sports streaming. The streaming giant plans to broadcast five NFL regular-season games in 2026.

New York, New York

https://www.newsweek.com/top-nfl-insider-cut-in-espn-layoffs-lands-new-job-with-emerging-rival-12334147

Andy Pollin's final broadcast on ESPN 630 DC aired today after more than thirty years in Washington D.C. sports radio. He was a significant presence, having helped launch The Team 980 in 1992 and working alongside Tony Kornheiser for many years. Pollin was known for his candid commentary on the local football team, even when the station was under different ownership. He previously freelanced for other local stations before his tenure at Cumulus Media. The company has recently implemented layoffs across multiple markets.

Washington D.C.

https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/11/andy-pollin-out-espn-630-dc-layoffs

The sports network ESPN has initiated significant layoffs, impacting several well-known NFL figures. Former MVP Cam Newton is among those being let go, despite a recent contract extension. Ryan Clark was reportedly informed of his dismissal during a live appearance on "NFL Live." These actions are part of a broader effort by the company to restructure its operations. The network's CEO described the decisions as difficult but necessary for future positioning.

Atlanta, Georgia

https://thegrio.com/2026/07/21/cam-newton-espn-layoffs/

https://skims.com/products/nikeskims-satin-shine-suspender-2-5-inch-onesie-resin

Please tell me what Nike brainchild approved this design marketed as "Sport meets statement!" I don't know a single female athlete that could or would work out in this pathetic outfit (wrestler's singlet), let alone have the strapless bandeau b-a stay up!

What has Nike come to? This is bottom of the barrel desperation attempt to meet the needs of her is PATHETIC and EMBARRASSING!

Rogers Radio has recently implemented layoffs that have significantly affected hockey journalism. This news comes from The Hockey Writers, an NHL news outlet. The extent of these job cuts and their long-term implications for sports reporting remain unclear. The article highlights the challenges facing sports media professionals in the current landscape. This development underscores a broader trend of workforce reductions in the media industry.

Toronto, Ontario

https://thehockeywriters.substack.com/p/4-changes-that-could-decide-whether

ESPN has announced a round of layoffs impacting several on-air personalities. Among those affected is Karl Ravech, the lead play-by-play announcer for the College World Series. This move comes after a significant number of cuts across the company, including other sports broadcasters. The network has not yet named Ravech's replacement for the upcoming season. These layoffs are part of a broader restructuring within the sports media giant.

Omaha, Nebraska

https://omaha.com/sports/college/baseball/article_18f46f2c-9e20-478e-87d3-e484911b0d9c.html

ESPN and NFL Network are implementing significant layoffs impacting several on-air personalities. These cuts are part of broader reductions at ESPN's parent company, Disney. The moves follow Disney's recent acquisition of NFL Network. Specific talent being let go includes Ryan Clark and Karl Ravech from ESPN. NFL Network is also seeing talent departures, with Tom Pelissero and Charles Davis reportedly affected.

https://www.thebiglead.com/updated-list-espn-nfl-network-layoffs/

Did anyone else see chief of staff hans vestberg in attendance! Great way for him to celebrate after a hard week of layoffs

I think The Goalpost was a really cool idea. It was fun to watch a game with your colleagues on a large screen. This was a great idea corporate had. I will miss it.

LIV Golf has informed its employees about possible layoffs due to ongoing financial uncertainty. The organization is filing WARN notices in the United States and the United Kingdom, which signals potential workforce reductions. This action follows the cessation of funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, prompting LIV to seek new investors. The league is attempting to secure significant capital to continue its operations and complete its current season. Legal challenges from other golf entities also add to the league's precarious situation.

London, England

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/liv-golf-informs-employees-potential-160746154.html

What do we think about Ja in Portland. Maybe Nike gets some mojo back

I would rank in this order

1. Puma
2. adidas
3. Nike

Now, this is for all practical purpose, a three horse race.

Nike's products were old, lackluster and uninspiring. Led by Nike's top endorsee Brazil which is not having best time in their illustrious history, the uniform just looked bad. Nike's idea of improvement? change the color of uniform from strong yellow to light canary. Wow!! Typical of Nike in last 5 or 6 years. Now don't get me started on team USA's hideous American flag garbage. Great job Nike.

adidas had Nike upgrade in many of their uniform that looked good. Specially bringing back their trefoil logo. It worked. Maybe short term but it worked in this WC. Team Mexico was great success!!

Puma won the race with nice but subtle upgrade of their offering and increase of teams wearing it. Also, I am sure that Puma did not give those teams monster contract like Nike did to Brazil, USA and Germany.

Anyone in this site that wants to buy the leftover Nike soccer jerseys from my soccer specialty store then please reply below and I will contact you.
As you know Nike doesn't care if cr-p sold or not. They want their ACH on time or they will suspend my account

Is it a bit tone deaf that leadership teams are traveling to Mexico and Canada for “offsites” to attend World Cup games? Nike is a sports company and employees should embrace the World Cup but when increases are 0% to 2% and PSP will be , this might not be a priority when there will probably be more layoffs coming

Be part of something bigger than yourself and enjoy this once every four years event. It is a privilege to have the World Cup in our backyard

What we get at Voyix:

• Suggestions to take public transportation and allow extra travel time on game day
• Game day experience at GHQ

Tells you how much Voyix cares about its employees🙄

Why is there a massive fan center set up in the mezzanine? What a giant waste of money and time. The office is a place for working, not watching meaningless soccer matches under the guise of finding oil.

Chinese sportswear company snags Curry

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48940127/stephen-curry-signs-chinese-sportswear-company-li-ning

The University of Utah athletic department initiated employee layoffs. This action is part of a restructuring linked to Otro Capital. Select units will transition to Crimson Brand Partners. Impacted employees can interview for similar positions there. The official separation date is scheduled for June 30.

Salt Lake City, Utah

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2026/05/29/utes-begin-unsettling-layoffs/

What are your thoughts?

are there any corporate suites or company ticket opportunities discounted for attending the world cup, of the cage match at 1600 Penn Ave, or the July 4th ticker tape in NYC, Charlotte or Frisco ?

Aaaaand Diego Luna, the centerpiece of Bank of America’s multimillion dollar World Cup ad campaign, didn’t even make the team.

Just watched an emotional video for the curaçao by Adi and then checked what we have and it’s photos of current / former players and different artists / celebrities . Really hope more is coming - this just feels sad 3 weeks before the start

The PGA Tour cut 56 full-time employees. This reduction impacts about four percent of its staff. These changes follow a $1.5 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group. A new CEO model is now in place. A shorter schedule and new markets are under consideration.

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/pga/2026/04/23/pga-tour-layoffs-2026-cuts-4-percent/89753519007/

The PGA Tour laid off 56 employees on Thursday. This represents about 4% of its global staff. The organization is undergoing a right-sizing for its new for-profit structure. FTI Consulting audited the tour and provided recommendations. The PGA Tour also will not fill 73 open roles.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/04/23/pga-tour-lays-off-4-of-staff-amid-organizational-right-sizing/

This is the kind of line Nike used to drop all the time and nobody really pushed back on it

Not because it was safer back then but because the brand had enough weight that people read it as confidence instead of taking a shot at people

That cushion just isn’t there right now

So now it lands like we’re poking at part of the running community instead of speaking to something aspirational and yeah people are gonna react to that

Honestly it doesn’t even feel like a strong point of view it just feels like we’re trying to be a little edgy because we don’t really have anything better to say

And when that’s the case it shows pretty quickly

UConn goth their @ss beat by Michigan!! Go Blue!!

Robbinsville School District seeks voter approval for a $5 million tax increase. A special election is scheduled for March 10. Without approval, the district faces a $2.2 million shortfall in 2026-27. This could lead to over 30 staff layoffs and cuts to sports and clubs. Declining state aid and rising costs contribute to the budget deficit.

https://www.nj.com/education/2026/02/nj-school-district-may-cut-sports-slash-30-jobs-if-voters-dont-approve-tax-hike.html

In the CFP final.. let’s talk about it.

What do you think? Would GB leave Elevance to lead the WNBA?

Historically, Nike had impeccable timing of using relevant SuperStar of the moment and help them lead to next level.
I will go back as far as John McEnroe, Jordan, Barkley, Carl Lewis, Mary Slaney, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Mark Allen, Bo, Lebron, Kobe, Durant, Serena ...
And disgraced ones like Lance, Tiger, Marion etc.
I apologize if I missed someone

But today, when I look around there is no one that have charisma and appeal of athletes above.

Basketball: Jordan is retired for long time and not getting young. A baby born when he made that shot against Utah would be 28 today.
Lebron: played 22 years and about to retire
Durant: same story as Lebron. About to retire.
Kobe; retired and passed away.
Who is new blood in basketball space for Nike.

Baseball: Last time Nike had any significant endorsee was Griffey and Barry Bonds and that was long time ago. They invested on Trout but the guy was hurt for 3 or 4 season and this was first that he played full in a long time

Football: Nike controls football but they never had anyone that lead the category. Last one was Deshawn Jackson. I think

Track: They have some winners but no SuperStar material. Sidney Mcglaughlin Levrone is good candidate but she is NB girl. Nobody significant in sprinter category for boys and girls.

Tennis: Basically nobody since Serena retired

Golf: They have endorsees but nobody in the category of Tiger

Soccer: Originial Ronaldo has been retired for long time.
And Cristiano Ronaldo is about to retire, playing in senior league of soccer in Saudia Arabia.

As you can see there is no one significant icon leading Nike now. That is the problem.

Their Icon now Kim Kardashian. Wow. A girls made herself big through surgery.

I hope I made some sense in issue with Nike

In the spirit of cost cutting, why are we still funding extravagant sports and concert boxes for our leaders? A whole crew of junior female managers and their daughters at Toyota Center for today’s concert. I guess us plebes pay while others get the spoils from our fallen colleagues.

America’s Team will win!

Penny - why pay a speaking fee of $200,000 each to hear their motivational speeches? You should have hired them to give us pep talks about “Dribbling up the middle on our resumes” and the “Uneven bars of life”.

• Giants head coach
• Jets Head Coach
• Yankees Manager
• Mets Manager
• St. John’s Redstorm AthleticDirector
• RDI call center