Bauer CEO Kevin Davis said that the company officially closed on a $330M deal to “buy Easton-Bell Sports Inc.’s baseball and softball unit.” Davis said that Easton-Bell is “already the world leader in baseball and softball equipment, including bats, gloves and helmets," with a 28% market share (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/15).
STANDING TALL: TNT's Shaquille O'Neal appeared on CNBC's "Closing Bell" Monday, with host Bill Griffeth calling him a "CEO athlete." O'Neal said, "I was one of the first ones. I originated my whole brand after Magic Johnson and what he was doing." O'Neal was promoting his menswear line at Macy's and noted a "lot of people think it's a big man line.” He said, “It's not a big man's line. It's a line for everybody" ("Closing Bell," CNBC, 4/14).
NOTES: Living Essentials, which makes 5-Hour Energy, announced yesterday it will sponsor MLL N.Y. Lizards attacker Rob Pannell. As part of the deal that runs through ’14, Pannell will appear in print, broadcast and online ads, and participate in various promotions for the company (Living Essentials)....The Univ. of Texas “has its own men's and women's fragrances,” produced by Masik. The cologne and perfume are “being sold for $39.50 for 1.7 ounces with the theme ‘Passionate, Triumphant & Strong’” (NEWSOK.com, 4/15)….Asics named pro volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings as a brand endorser (Asics).
