I have been covering the sporting goods industry since 1978, so needless to say I’ve seen a lot of change in the market and how we do business. Change always generated controversy—that is winners and losers—but change in the 1980s and 1990s was mostly about a fast growing market where almost every ship was lifted on the tide. As Americans became more health conscious and also expanded the hours of the day when they wore their athletic wardrobes, there was plenty of money to spread around for large and small companies.

From roughly 2000-1010, the advantages that big companies enjoy such ... Log in to view full article.