Thursday, September 3, 2026
The FOS App is Live Download It Now

On Wants More Star Power, Visibility for Next Growth Phase

  • On, the sneaker and apparel company backed by Roger Federer, has looked to athletes to fuel its expansion into tennis and other verticals.
  • The company saw major sales growth in Q1, but its stock dropped.
Hellen Obiri of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the women's division at the 2023 Boston Marathon.
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Federer’s On Holding saw substantial growth and raised expectations, but investors were left wanting more.

The sneaker company’s net sales rose 78.3% year-over-year in the first quarter to $468.8 million, while gross profit doubled to $273.3 million. The brand backed by the tennis icon also got a lift from supply chain issues normalizing after the economy-wide challenges of Q1 2021.

On slightly raised its full-year outlook to $1.94 billion — but investors were looking for more. 

The company’s stock tumbled 9% on Tuesday, though it’s still up 76.7% since the start of the year.

A view of the outside of Adidas' flagship store in Shanghai.

Adidas Beats Revenue Expectations Despite Costly Yeezy Struggles

CEO admits that the loss of Yeezy is “of course hurting us.”
May 5, 2023

In order to make in-roads into new markets, On is looking to athletes and high-profile sporting events. Expanding into tennis, it saw its biggest signings in that space, Iga Świątek and Ben Shelton, take the court for the first time in On gear in the first quarter.

On also notched a win at the Boston Marathon when one of its sponsored runners, Hellen Obiri, won the women’s race. The company is looking to leverage next year’s Paris Olympics for further visibility.

Co-CEO and CFO Martin Hoffmann touted the company’s multichannel strategy, noting that “our own retail net sales more than quadrupled year-over-year” with help from a new store in London.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Jessica Pegula (USA) reacts after winning the first set against Kamilla Rakhimova (UZB) during third round play at Sobeys Stadium.

Pegula: Influencers Have Become ‘A Little Too Much’ at US Open

Pegula said she also can appreciate what influencers can bring to the sport.

Pro Tennis Players Say Bring On the Influencers

“I love that they bring this fresh eye on tennis.”

US Open Ticket Prices Surge for Alex Eala’s Night Session

USTA’s CEO acknowledged the tournament’s rising prices in a press conference Saturday.

Aging Legends Face Uncertain Futures After US Open Losses

Novak Djokovic said he’s struggled with a health issue all year.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/3/26 – Clippers-Kawhi Penalized, Tiger’s DUI Plea, Schrager’s ESPN Show

0:00

Featured Today

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”
Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
August 30, 2026

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.
August 26, 2026

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
August 23, 2026

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.

Caleb Williams’s Investment Playbook: ‘No Vices’

The Bears QB has put money into sports, tech, and wellness start-ups.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium
February 21, 2026

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Reggie Bush speaks on unionizing college football players during the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the University Club of Pasadena in Pasadena, Calif. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
March 5, 2026

Former NFL Pros Launch PE Firm for Emerging Leagues

Terrence C. Murphy and Reggie Bush are targeting $150 million for their debut fund.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena
January 4, 2026

Pro Team Valuations Are Set to Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
December 27, 2025

‘Why Not the Dodgers?’: How Billie Jean King Became an LA Owner

“Getting involved with the Dodgers literally changed our lives,” Ilana Kloss says.
December 23, 2025

Ben Simmons Buys a Sport Fishing Team

“I think I can really help this league grow,” Simmons told FOS.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp mascot Scampi waves to fans during Opening Day baseball against the Gwinnett Stripers on March 29, 2024.
December 17, 2025

Private Equity Dives Further Into Minor League Baseball

Seven MiLB teams have changed hands in the last week.