Callaway Golf Co., the maker of Big Bertha and Steelhead golf clubs, traded lawsuits with Fortune Brands Inc.'s Acushnet Co. over its redesigned Titleist Pro V1 golf balls.

The SportsOneSource Group is projecting that Sport Footwear sales remained relatively flat in fiscal 2008. The industry market research firm and trade publisher released preliminary estimates that Sport Footwear sales grew just 0.3% to $18.4 billion in fiscal 2008 through January 2009, compared to $18.4 billion in the prior year. The Sport Footwear business grew 2.6% in fiscal 2007.

A delegation of physical activity proponents met on March 4th with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. to talk about what can be done to ‘Get America Moving’  as part of the 10th Annual National Health Through Fitness Day.

The group included one Heisman Trophy winner; three Olympic gold medalists; a former Wimbledon and U.S. Open tennis champ; an ex-World Series MVP; and a host of other current and former star athletes joined the advocacy effort. Organized by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the consortium asked Congress to approve the PEP Bill in Fiscal Year 2010 for $100 million.

Fourth quarter adidas Group currency neutral sales grow 4%
Fourth quarter Group revenues grew 4% on a currency neutral basis. This development was due to higher sales in the adidas segment. Reebok and TaylorMade adidas Golf revenues declined. On a regional basis, currency neutral sales grew by double digit rates in both Asia and Latin America. Revenues in Europe remained stable on a currencyneutral basis, while sales in North America decreased. Currency movements had a positive impact on revenues in euro terms. Group sales in euro terms increased 6% to € 2.574 billion in the fourth quarterof 2008 (2007: € 2.419 billion).

The SportsOneSource Group is projecting that Sport Footwear sales remained relatively flat in fiscal 2008. The industry market research firm and trade publisher released preliminary estimates that Sport Footwear sales grew just 0.3% to $18.4 billion in fiscal 2008 through January 2009, compared to $18.4 billion in the prior year.

The Federal Court of Australia has handed down a landmark decision under the Designs Act which could lead to more actions against imported copies of Australian-designed goods.

According to SGMA's Manufacturers Sales by Category Report (2009 edition), manufacturers' (wholesale) sales of sporting goods equipment, fitness equipment, sports apparel, athletic footwear, and recreational transport items in the U.S. totaled $66.3 billion in 2008 ‐ a 3.2% decrease over 2007 when wholesale sales were $68.5 billion.

IMG Academies (IMGA), a division of global sports and entertainment company IMG, announced that Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) is now the official sponsor and exclusive provider of golf clubs, balls and apparel for its David Leadbetter Golf Academy program.