• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 7, 2025

Seawall Capital Acquires Two Outdoor Sports Companies

  • Kent Water Sports has rebranded to Kent Outdoors.
  • The Seawall Capital-owned company acquired two new brands.
Kent-Outdoors-BOTE
BOTE/Design: Alex Brooks

Seawall Capital sees the growth of outdoor sports in the last few years as a growing trend — and is upping its bet on the industry.

The private equity firm announced that its Kent Outdoors, which is rebranding from Kent Watersports, will acquire Kona Bicycles and watercraft seller BOTE.

The two companies have revenues approaching $500 million, a spokesperson told Front Office Sports.

  • Kent Outdoors now has 17 brands under its umbrella, most of which relate to watersports.
  • Seawall acquired Kent Watersports in a transaction that closed on Dec. 31, 2020.

Seawall founder Matt Eby has shown long-term interest in the outdoor industry. Tengram Capital Partners, a private equity firm he co-founded, owns El Cap, parent company to Planet Granite, Earth Treks, and Movement Climbing + Fitness, which it acquired in November 2019.

Eby sold outdoor outfitter Field & Stream to Dick’s Sporting Goods in 2012, after investing in it as chief investment officer of JAWS Estates Capital.

Two Active Industries

Both cycling and boating are expected to see continued growth in the coming years.

The global bicycle market is projected to grow from $54.7 billion in 2020 to $78 billion by 2026. The U.S. market was estimated at $9.5 billion in 2021.

The global recreational boating industry was valued at $26 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow around 5% per year on average to $35 billion by 2026. North America is the fastest-growing market.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) controls the ball against Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Men’s March Madness Sets Opening-Day Viewership Record

CBS Sports and TNT Sports scored big with Arkansas–Kansas.

Callaway’s LIV Deal Shows How Much Golf Has Shifted

The company has signed a first-of-its-kind club contract.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
March 4, 2025

Eagles Make Saquon Barkley NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season with the Eagles.