• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 5, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

They Make Sports Balls—and They Could Be Worth Almost $9 Billion

  • Amer Sports is looking to raise as much as $1.8 billion.
  • Planned IPO is one of the largest of the year so far, across any industry.
USA TODAY Sports

One of the world’s biggest—and yet still relatively unknown—sporting goods companies has filed for an initial public offering in the U.S, looking to raise as much as $1.8 billion. 

The Helsinki-based Amer Sports is anything but a household name, but it owns Wilson Sporting Goods, makers of the official NFL and NBA game balls, as well as tennis rackets for numerous leading pros, including women’s No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka and men’s No. 7 Stefanos Tsitspias. The company’s expansive portfolio also includes the Louisville Slugger, Salomon, and Peak Performance brands, among others. An IPO registration filed Monday details a planned listing of 100 million shares at $16 to $18 each. If the top end of the range is reached, it would imply a valuation of $8.7 billion for Amer Sports. The filing represents one of the first major IPOs of the year across any industry.

“Our vision is to be the global leader in premium sports and outdoor brands,” Amer Sports said in its registration statement. “While our brands have established heritage and market leadership today, significant runway remains ahead.”

The fundraising, however, is happening in what remains a choppy market for sporting goods, footwear, and apparel. Other companies in the category to see various earnings and revenue challenges in recent months include Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, and Puma. The upcoming reporting season for the fourth quarter of 2023 will provide a further look into the current state of the market, including details on performance during the holiday shopping season. 

Amer Sports says it generated $3.1 billion in revenue for the January-September 2023 period, up 30% from the comparable period in 2022. But the company’s net loss grew from $104.4 million to $113.9 million, following on net losses also posted in 2020 and 2021. Amer Sports, however, is leaning heavily into technology for the development of its latest products, including the use of artificial intelligence to design baseball bats with larger sweet spots and a 3D-printed, airless basketball prototype.

Founded in 1950, Amer Sports’ roots lie as a multifaceted conglomerate with prior operations as varied as tobacco and publishing.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 16, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Team Stephen A coach Stephen A. Smith looks on against Team Shannon during the All Star Celebrity Game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Smith’s Potential $100M deal ‘Incredible’: Matt Barnes

Barnes believes there’s plenty of space for people across sports media to thrive.

Savannah Bananas Plan to Bring ‘Banana Ball’ to Football Stadiums

The popular independent baseball team features a ticket waiting list of about three million.

FIFA’s Multibillion-Dollar Transfer Market at Risk After Court Ruling

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled against FIFA.

NBA Media’s Changing of the Guard

Among other issues, networks are trying to figure out a post-LeBron coverage plan.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

The FOS Interview: NBA Champion Matt Barnes

0:00

Featured Today

MLB Gets the Shohei Ohtani Postseason Treatment. The Value Is Immense

The Japanese superstar finally makes his playoff debut Saturday.
The Cal mascot, Oski
October 2, 2024

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.
Apr 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The cleats of Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) as he runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park.
October 1, 2024

MLB Players Are Clamoring for Swag. Outfitting Them Is Big Business

Sliding mitts, cleats, and belts are fun, flashy, and lucrative.
Sep 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
September 30, 2024

The Padres’ Future Is on the Line This Postseason

The MLB playoffs could determine the team’s path forward.

Nike CFO Says ‘Adversity Creates Sharper Focus’

Amid a downbeat but expected set of earnings, Nike says it sees signs of optimism.
A Nike swoosh on a building in Eugene, Oregon.
September 23, 2024

Wall Street: Things Will Get Worse for Nike Before They Get Better

Some analysts are skeptical of how much the new CEO will change.
Sep 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Nike shoes worn by Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell in the first half against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
opinion
September 28, 2024

New Nike CEO Must Do It

The biggest task the new CEO faces is intangible: Refresh the brand.
Sponsored

Trend Report: Chiefs-Chargers, Tobacco Road Rivalry, Nebraska Sellout Streak

According to data from TickPick, some games this week will prove to be wallet-busters, climbing into the four figures.
Crypto.com soccer advertising
September 15, 2024

The Champions League Is Back. So Is Crypto Sponsorship

Crypto investment is making its debut in the biggest European soccer competition.
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) warms up before a game against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium.
September 12, 2024

The NFL’s Private Equity Era Won’t Be the Bloodbath You Think—for Now

“It’s a different kind of investment thesis entirely.”
ESPN commentator Jay Williams speaking at a conference.
September 11, 2024

Jay Williams Supports PE in College Sports: ‘I Would Like to Own 49% of Duke Basketball’

Williams wants in when PE gets into college sports.
Aug 25, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; A detailed view of New England Patriots footballs on the field before the game against the Washington Commanders at Commanders Field.
opinion
September 1, 2024

The NFL Let the Private Equity ‘Barbarians’ Through the Gate

Fans will barely see any change from the arrival of PE money.