We are all aware that the argument for Americans being allowed to own weapons, under the Amendment right to bear arms, has been an ongoing debate for decades upon end. Certain cities like New York have outright banned firearms of most kinds within the city limits to help curb violent crimes or the propensity for them to take place in the first place. In the past, sports gear makers did not really address the wanton desire of people to have clothing that was retrofitted to house their concealed weapons. But as the demands for firearm possession increase, sports gear makers are heeding the call of demanding consumers, who are asking for more fashionable sports gear that also houses their weapon.

At the forefront of these new conceal weapon tactical carry sports gear fashion lines is a prominent, 182-year-old clothing maker, Woolrich, who is old enough to have fashioned gear for the post revolutionary soldiers. Its new chino sports gear pants are described by the company as fashionable, elegant, clean profiled and … they have a nifty pocket in them where you can stow away your handgun.

Wait a tick: khakis for concealing weapons as tactical gear/sports gear, but yet somehow fashionably sensible clothing for the average white collar worker? You don’t say. The chinos retail for about $65, which is pretty honky dory and affordable by comparison to most overpriced military-styled tactical gear; a holster for a gun, for example, can run more than a $100. And yep, you guessed it, according to Woolrich: the clothing is designed for the “fashion aware” gun owner.

Apparently, the fashion police must now contend with well dressed protagonists who carry guns?

One blogger describes the gear as, “Most of the clothes I used in the past to hide my sidearm looked pretty sloppy and had my girlfriend complaining about my looks […] not James Bond or nothing, but these look pretty nice.”

Competitors like 5.11 Tactical Gear say it’s a burgeoning trend.

“What we’ve tried to do is create a collection of garments that allows the end user to have stylish lifestyle apparel but have features in the garment that enable them to carry a weapon and draw the weapon quickly,” said David Hagler, the vice president of 5.11 Tactical.

Now you can look good and hide your gun, thanks to this new sports gear.

When most people think about footwear and the sports wear that’s associated with it, they do not consider Under Armour, and nor should they. While the company is well positioned within the international footwear market, they are more focused and more agley positioned within the sports wear sectors. In spite of many people thinking that other big name multinational corporations, like Nike, dominate the sports wear marketplace, Under Armour is actually a force to be contended with, and by all means. Certainly, it’s a Nike shoe world. But when it comes to sports wear in general, Under Armour is easily in the top ranks.

How the Under Armour Plan Differs from its Rivals

Consider this, when the CEO of Under Armour, Kevin Plank, devised his marketing strategy, he was careful to place emphasis on the notion of not inundating itself  (the company) with disadvantageous overhead costs, something that gives it an edge over rival competitor, Columbia Sportswear. Unlike Columbia Sportswear, Under Armour does not use its own storefronts for selling its products; which means that it cost less money to distribute them. Rather, the company facilitates lucrative and strategic market positioning by placing its products in national chains like Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Sports Authority.

Simple innovations like this combined with key sponsorships for sports stars and innovative products, of which the design is truly unique, have enabled the company to enjoy soaring sales in recent years. This year alone, Under Armour has yielded a massive stock increase of more than 40% in value. By comparison, its rival, Columbia, saw its stock value plunge by nearly 20% over the past 12 months. The company plans to add more stores via partnerships for combined storefronts in the years to come to expand its presence. Over the next few years, the company plans to place its products in as many as 120 new outlet stores nationwide. And they are eying green clothing concepts that could allow it to cross over to even more marketplaces.

Kelly Holmes at the Jaguar’s Academy

When you generally think about the subject matter of fast food, namely fast food beverages like soda pop or other sugary, bubbly delights that people love to suck down with fatty fast food snacks, the thought of Olympian gold medalists rarely crosses the mind. However, according to Kelly Holmes, the 2004 Double Olympic Gold Medalist, such sponsorships between the makers of such products and professional athletes, are, in her own words, “critical.”

During a recent Jaguar’s Academy of Sport event, Holmes, who is the sporty gear brand spokesperson for Jaguar, joined on the debate regarding this matter, and is among the pundits that believe such sponsorships are a necessity.

Kelly Holmes at the Jaguar’s Academy

When asked about how fast food and soda beverages merge with professional athletic endorsements, Holmes stated, “Every sport is quite different. But generally, it is quite expensive to be involved in sport. Everybody who starts young, like me at the age of 14, wants to be Olympic champion. It is critical to get the support of brands. Athletes are under a lot of psychological pressure, so the last thing they need is the pressure of not being able afford to compete. That is where sponsors come in.”

Holmes was certain to credit bad boy fast food chains and drink makers like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, who she says are key sponsors of sports like the Olympics, and emphasized that without such vital funds [from these sponsors], the sports may never be in the position that it is today.

However, proponents think that these companies have no place in professional sports. But after all, a sponsor is a sponsor, and money is money. Even if the athletes – who would vouch for such products and endorse them – would actually never use them for their own health and well-being. (Is this really endorsing then … or misleading?)

“These companies put money into helping fund grassroots sports,” she concluded.

On a different note, tobacco companies help sponsor education; state and federal taxes collected on such products pay for schooling and healthcare. But is this really a good thing? Shouldn’t there be a line between such egregious differences? Shouldn’t healthier products be sponsoring such events?

Could this not be compared to a sugar maker sponsoring a dental event for good oral health?

Feel free to chime in on your comments regarding this subject matter, and voice your opinion.

Kelly Holmes winning at the Olympics

While it is very unlikely that you will see the newly formed, staffed, funded and sponsored NASCAR racing team, Viva la Raza Racing, competing in any professional Sprint Cup races during 2012, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for them come the 2013 Sprint Cup. The news of this new racing team in NASCAR is good for everyone. They are, in fact, the first Latino NASCAR team in the US, so it has historical ramifications in a sport that has collegially been dominated by Caucasian male drivers. As for their official sporty gear sponsor, it’s none other than the Mexican Firm Promo Race, who has gotten fully on board with the team for the 2013 races and beyond.

The director of Promo Race, Oscar Sanchez, noted that when the team was formed in 2012, his “dream was becoming a reality.”

“We’ll seek and support Hispanic talent, youngsters from 17 to 20 years old, who want to race, but we also need the sponsorship of brands that support this initiative, both in Mexico as well as in the United States, who are seeking to penetrate the Hispanic market,” Sanchez said.

The team will be participating on the track at various races this year under the Promo Race sporty gear banner. Events they will be seen at include: Whelen All-American Series and the K&N Pro Series. The team has its sights set on the big leagues for 2013, however, with goals of fielding multiple drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series and in the Nationwide.

The chief of Viva la Raza, Cody Sommer, said that over the years to come, Latinos are set to become a force to be contended with in NASCAR and other professional racing sectors.

“I see and I believe in the potential there is in this market. There’s a need for companies or someone who sponsors, for a long time, the team, with mechanics, drivers, cars. NASCAR can come to be the main sport of Hispanics,” he told Fox News.

More integration needed …

According to Hugo Lopez, who publishes the Latino newspaper, La Cascarita in Charlotte, additional promotion is need to fully integrate Latinos into NASCAR.

“There are Hispanics who don’t know … that there are Hispanic NASCAR drivers. The organization is certainly working harder to get to that market but I think it lacks the figure or the driver who everyone can follow,” Lopez told Fox News.

NASCAR could potentially reach and appeal to 50 million Latinos in the US alone.

We already know that the people in NASCAR in the pit lane, in the cars, and of course, the pit girls, are wearing race suits that have all sorts of ads, badges, slogans, mottos and brands on them? Well can you imagine how that would cross over to an NBA jersey? It would be rather odd to see players wearing NBA sporty gear jerseys that were covered in all sorts of ads. But the real question is: does this multi-billion dollar sport really need to make more money by selling ad space on players’ uniforms? We will leave that answer to that one for you to decide.

Recently, several NBA team owners met at the St. Regis hotel in Manhattan. There they reviewed six different mannequins that were wearing ad brandished jerseys. The purpose of the meeting was to decide if the lucrative nature of selling ad spots on race suits (like NASCAR does) could cross over to the NBA.

If the leagues and its owners and players agree, it would make it just the third major sport to allow the selling of ad space on sporty gear that players wear. In case you are curious, the other two sports include: PGA (golf) and NASCAR, as well as all other forms of professional racing that are not considered to be “major sports.”

Jeanie Buss

The executive vice president for business operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, thinks it’s a good idea because “other” sports have followed suit. “I like tradition and I actually still miss the short shorts of the ’80s,” she explained in an email to the New York Times. “So perhaps it is better the Lakers management fully discuss the subject internally and come to a consensus.”

But the deputy commissioner for the NBA, Adam Silver, frowns upon the idea, scoffing it off as something that would cause some fans to disconnect with the sport, but something that is worth considering … all things considered.

“If we add sponsor logos to jerseys, we recognize that some of our fans will think we’ve lost our minds. But the N.B.A. is a global business and logos on jerseys are well established in other sports and commonplace outside the U.S. Our goal isn’t to be the first major league to do it, but in the same way that virtually all arenas and stadiums now have naming rights deals, we recognize it’s only a matter of time,” he explained in an email to the New York Times.

Not a “Moral Issue”

Selling ad space on players’ uniforms

The former deputy commissioner for the NBA, Russ Granik, says this is not a moral issue any longer. “I don’t view this as one of the great moral issues of our time. I think they’ll be careful not to mess up the uniform in a way that will detract from business […] I don’t see a time in the near or medium-term future where the name on the uniform would be changed to a commercial name.”

In the end, money talks. When you have millionaire players negotiating with billionaire owners in a multibillion dollar industry, well, a way to make an easy buck is still an easy buck.  At the end of the day, that may mean you see ugly looking ads on NBA sporty gear. We hardly expect other major sports will follow suit and tarnish their uniforms with annoying ads. It looks cool in NASCAR. But the NBA does NOT need the extra money.

When you think of sports, particularly female sports, then you add professional cycling to the team and merge that with the unlikeliest of sponsors, you have the sporty gear news that we are about to deliver to you today. In recent news, ESPN, one of the largest sports networks in the world that provides international coverage of nearly all sporting events, has signed a sponsorship deal with Colavita olive oil, the maker of the world’s finest organic olive oil cooking products that emphasize healthy eating and living, to sponsor their EPSNW women’s website.

Colavita olive oil is set to put into a motion their own team of professional women’s cyclists. Thanks to the deal that they recently signed with EPSN, the sporty gear attire that the cyclists wear will be emblazoned with the EPSNW logo, and the team will also be cobranded with the name as well as being featured as part of regular stories, articles, blogs and video posts in par with ESPN’s ongoing coverage on their EPSNW website (you can visit that website Here).

At the focal point of this sporty gear sponsorship is a $500,000 commitment from Colavita olive oil that will provide the riders with branded gear and race suits that includes the ESPNW logo; advertising on the EPSNW website; a sweepstakes promotion that features a grand prize to Italy for the winner; and the promoting of the EPSNW brand name on 100,000 bottles of the Colavita olive oil that will hit store shelves this year.

According to Laura Gentile, vice president for EPSNW, the support for this enterprise has been nothing short of “fantastic.”

“We’re all about connecting female fans with the sports they love,” she said in a recent statement to the press. Adding that last year showed “strong results.”

According to John Profaci, vice president and director for marketing at Colavita USA, there will initially be eight riders on their female cycling team.

“This younger, female audience, 25 and over, they’re my future consumers,” he concluded.

Racing suits are nothing new. For swimmers, it’s all about form and the racing suit that you are using; much like this same mantra of preparedness crosses over to other sports, like bicycling, football, soccer, and even military combat. The suit that you are donned in can greatly aid you are not help you out at all. That’s, perhaps, a teeny part of the innovation behind the most advanced racing suits to grace mankind yet: The Powerskin Carbon-Pro by Arena.

This racing suit is unique because it’s the only racing suit to incorporate a carbon cage in the actual suit itself. This facilitates smart muscle compression with a fit that’s so cozy that you nearly feel like you are wearing nothing at all, when you are indeed wearing racing suit armor. Now, such advanced suits are available for all consumers, and were initially unveiled in mid-March at Auburn University—home of the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship team.

To shed some more light on these racing suits, here’s an explanatory excerpt from Arena’s recent press release regarding them:

A swimmer in motion is a dynamic form with complex requirements for support and compression. Compression in a competition suit is associated with increased support, efficiency and power, but high compression can have a restricting effect on movement. To deliver a breakthrough solution to the compression challenge, Arena has incorporated carbon fiber into the weave of the POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro fabric.

Known for its unique structural and mechanical properties, the carbon fiber locks down when and where a critical stretch level is reached, while retaining the suit’s elasticity. This delivers a ramp-up in compression on those specific overextended zones, increasing support and control when and where they are needed without detracting from the swimmer’s mobility.

Who’s Already Swearing by These New Racing Suits?

Well they are a pretty hot prospect. In a recent press release that was issued by Arena, they identify a key pundit whose opinion is biased in favor of these new technologically profound racing suits.

Rebecca Soni, US Olympic Gold Medalist, said, “I’ve been testing it in my workouts and have been thrilled with its performance and fit. I am really looking forward to competing in it.”

WATCH: Arena PowerSkin Carbon Pro the next generation Q2 2012

Seeing is most certainly believing. This video that we found on YouTube depicts the versatility and unique design of the new line of the Powerskin Carbon-Pro by Arena. The company recently posted this video online as part of their ongoing promotional campaign for these new racing suits, which are due to hit store shelves in the near future. For all swimmers and athletes alike, this video can help you decide on what racing suits are ideal for your active lifestyle.

If you are looking to shed some pounds while grinding weights and other sports gear at the gym, Weight Watchers and Charles Barkley really want you to know about a few things. One, if you are a male, you can still eat “man food.” Two, why are you not listening to Sir Charles enough? And, three, he puts on a dress and makeup and goes drag-tastic to try and tell you that just using sports gear to workout is not enough…you need Weight Watchers.

Oh yeah, and it’s pretty freaking laugh-out-loud funny, too.

The most recent commercial by this company is aimed at men. Barkley is depicted in drag wearing a black formal dress and some makeup with a clearly sheen lip gloss on (we never knew that color looked so good on him). He recants why and how he’s lost 42 pounds using the product, and that he drops about 1-2 pounds each week. And in case you are wondering, if he didn’t have your attention then, perhaps he does now? But is this for all of the right or wrong reasons? Either way, it’s the funniest sponsorship commercial with a celebrity athlete that we have yet to see.

WATCH: Charles Barkley in a Dress

It does not get any odder or funnier than this folks. Imagine the hunky, athletic figure of an NBA star, and then try to picture his immense size and girth in a skimpy woman’s designer dress. Hard to imagine, right? That’s exactly what you will find in this video that Barkley recently filmed for Weight Watchers as part of a sports gear deal where they signed him to help with their promotional campaign. It’s the silliest thing we have seen in quite some time, and we are confident that you will agree. Prepare to chuckle folks, it’s that funny, lipstick, fake bosom and all!

There’s a very good chance that Tim Tebow is the most talked about yet underrated professional athlete in the world today. His charming stature, cool composure, lovely vocal delivery and unwavering public showing of his faith (of his religion), combined with his SEC record setting back-to-back national championships with the Florida Gators (NCAAF), and his come-from-behind 7-1 start that rocketed the Broncos from last in the NFL food chain under the arm of Quinn to regional champions that upset the Steelers at home last season, easily are telling of the popularity of his sporty gear this year.

In fact, the Broncos sold more Tebow sporty gear last year than of any other player on their roster. But they won’t be complaining too much about the recent trade of Tebow to the NY Jets because they just signed Peyton Manning; one of the only active Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks in the NFL save for, other obvious candidates like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady. And with Tebow heading to the Jets, Sanchez had better watch out—because he (Tebow) is already selling more sporty gear of his No. 15 Jets jersey, and the fans really can’t wait to see if Tebow wins the starting job in preseason (unlikely unless Sanchez gets hurt).

Currently, the only jerseys available on the NFL store are Reebok ones with Tebow’s likeness. The Nike ones are still being designed and are not expected to be released until later this year (Nike outbid Reebok for the 2012 NFL sporty gear contract). This presents an interesting situation for collectors: get their hands on both. Can you imagine how rare a Tebow Reebok Jersey will be come next year…or in five years from now?

Telling of this was a report by the Washington Post that purported that the sporty gear chain, Modell’s, had already sold 1,000 units during the first hour, and the supplies were already too scarce to meet current demands.

READ RELATED NEWS ARTICLE HERE

REBOOK CROSSFIT 2012

The CrossFit games that are hosted by the conglomerate sporty gear manufacturer, Reebok, are about to kick off this year with a more than satiable candidate as the sporty gear co-sponsor: GNC.

Reebook Crossfit Games

Every year, Reebok hosts the internationally acclaimed CrossFit competition. It’s a grueling showdown that calls upon the top athletes in the world to strut their fitness stuff before judges and personal fitness experts. The battle comes down to a pretty cushy grand purse of $1-million (USD) as well as bragging rights for the year that follows by holding the prodigious crown of “Fittest on Earth” for the winner of the games. This year, the large supplement retailer, GNC, has signed on with Reebok to co-sponsor the event.

In a late March press release discussing the sponsorship, Jeff Hennion, the Chief Marketing Officer at GNC stated, “We are very proud to be the official vitamin and sports nutrition retailer of the CrossFit Games and are excited to actively participate on a global level. The passionate CrossFit community is a true representation of GNC’s Live Well platform and it’s an honor to help support athletes who live well every day.”

Reebook Crossfit Games

The CrossFit games are now entering the six year of annual competition. This year’s events will be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. ESPN Sports networks have signed on to air the events and their duration on their international sports networks, and the games will be broadcast around the world, live.

The Chief Marketing Officer of CrossFit, Inc, Jimi Letchford, stated, “CrossFit is a thriving community where people are passionate about fitness and a healthy lifestyle, and we welcome GNC as a proud supporter of the community and the CrossFit Games. We believe the Games are the ultimate test of fitness, and partners like GNC help support our search for the fittest man and woman on earth.”

You can learn more about CrossFit games and sign up to enter them Here.