Gridiron Capital Agrees to Sell GSM Outdoors
Investment company Gridiron Capital recently signed a definitive agreement to sell its controlling interest in GSM Outdoors — Good Sportsman Marketing Outdoors — to Platinum Equity, a global private equity firm.
Headquartered in Irving, Texas, GSM Outdoors is an industry-leading branded outdoor enthusiast company with a diverse and growing portfolio of more than 50 rugged outdoor brands. GSM provides a comprehensive range of consumable accessories, gear, and subscription services, along with an exceptional service model, making it a one-stop-shop for both consumers and retail partners. GSM sells through a diverse mix of channels, including online retailers, sporting goods stores, mass merchants, outdoorsman retailers, farm and fleet stores, and dealers and distributors across the United States and Canada.
"In 2020, Gridiron Capital partnered with Eddie Castro and the GSM management team to build an industry-leading outdoor enthusiast platform,” said Gridiron Managing Partner, Kevin Jackson. “Over the course of our partnership, GSM has grown significantly through strategic expansions into fishing and other rugged outdoor categories, while dramatically scaling the cellular and app subscription business, completing 18 acquisitions of iconic brands, and driving consistent organic growth through new product development. The GSM team's passion for serving their customers and winning in the marketplace is contagious, and we are incredibly proud to have been GSM's partner during this exciting time. We are confident that GSM is positioned for even greater success going forward.”
GSM CEO Eddie Castro and the entire management team will continue to lead GSM post-transaction. Castro said, "Since the first day, Gridiron has been a great partner in helping us accelerate our M&A engine and expand GSM into new subscription and outdoor categories. The Gridiron investment team and Centers of Excellence have truly been value-added partners through this exceptional growth phase for GSM.”
The acquisition is expected to close in Q3 2024.
Easton Highlights USA Craftsmanship During “America Month”
Easton Archery has taken its message to the bowhunting community throughout the month of July during this year’s “America Month.”
“We set out to provide the highest quality, USA-made arrows for all types of archery, with the goal being to instill maximum confidence when an archer draws their bow,” said Easton Marketing Director Gary Cornum.
With increased globalization and lower labor costs driving companies to outsource hunting products, bowhunters might assume all their equipment is made overseas. However, Easton arrows are a notable exception. Bowhunters and target archers may not realize the fact that as they draw back their bow, their Easton arrow shaft came off the company’s production line located in Salt Lake City, Utah — the only dedicated arrow factory in the United States.
Team Mathews Crowns Three National Champions
Team Mathews had its best event yet in the third and final leg of the 2024 IBO National Triple Crown located in Nelsonville, Ohio, sweeping the Triple Crown individual events and crowning three National Champions.
Dan McCarthy finished in second place in the Men’s Pro Release this weekend, gaining crucial points for himself in the race for the Triple Crown. Having won the first two legs of the event, McCarthy’s outstanding performance this weekend solidified his lead overall, earning the rights of the 2024 IBO National Champion in Men’s Pro Release.
The defending 2023 Triple Crown National Champion, Levi Morgan, also had an outstanding performance this weekend, winning the third leg in the Men’s Pro Release, and securing second place overall in the Triple Crown.
In Women’s Pro Release, Cara Kelly secured first place this weekend, which launched her into first place overall for the Triple Crown, claiming yet another national title for Team Mathews. Adding onto the success of the Team, Tim Gillingham was crowned the National Champion of the Senior Pro Release after winning the third leg with a commanding performance in the event.
“The final leg of the IBO Triple Crown was everything that we could have asked for,” said Mathews Pro Staff Manager Derek Phillips. “Sweeping the third-round individual events and crowning three Triple Crown National Champions speaks volumes to our team’s dedication and talent in the sport. Couldn’t be prouder of the entire team!”
Additionally, Team Mathews won the Men’s Pro Release Team Event to capitalize on an outstanding weekend. The Team consisted of Dan McCarthy, Levi Morgan, Brandon Reyes and Ryan Jeffries.
“It is always a high honor to be part of the IBO team event representing Mathews Archery,” said Brandon Reyes. “Winning the National Championship in back-to-back seasons now in 2023 and 2024 with very talented professionals like Levi Morgan, Dan McCarthy and Ryan Jeffries is the icing on the cake.”
USA Archery Celebrates 18-Year Tenure of National Head Coach KiSik Lee
USA Archery recently published this letter of thanks to Team USA National Head Coach KiSik Lee:
After 18 years and five cycles of the Olympic Games, National Head Coach KiSik Lee has announced his retirement from USA Archery at the end of the year. Coach Lee’s departure marks the end of an era characterized by remarkable achievements, innovative coaching techniques, and a legacy that will live forever in the history of archery in the United States.
In January 2006, Coach Lee was the most sought-after archery coach in the world when he took the National Head Coach position at USA Archery. Since then, Coach Lee has transformed the landscape of archery in America. Under his leadership, Team USA has consistently performed at the highest levels in international competitions, including the Olympics, World Championships, and World Cup events.
Coach Lee's tenure at USA Archery comes after a storied career that began long before his time here. Originally from South Korea, Lee's coaching prowess was first recognized on the international stage when he coached the Korean national team to numerous victories in the 1980s and 1990s.
His move to Australia and subsequent success with their national team further solidified his reputation as one of the foremost archery coaches in the world. He continues to be one of the most highly regarded coaches worldwide.
At the helm in the United States, Coach Lee developed a biomechanically engineered approach to shooting technique, which became USA Archery’s “National Training System” and was taught to thousands of coaches and countless archers through the years.
He developed equipment, published several highly regarded archery books, coached workshops, seminars and led coaching for USA Archery high performance programs including the Junior Dream Team and Resident Athlete program.
In addition to pioneering resources and education for coaches, Coach Lee also worked directly with hundreds of the nation’s most promising archers to raise the level of talent in the United States.
Since Coach Lee took the reins, USA archers have won well over 300 medals on the Archery World Cup circuit — more than any other nation — with nearly half of them being gold. USA won three Olympic medals between 2012 and 2016, two recurve gold medals at the Archery World Championships and international titles in Indoor, Field, 3D and Youth championships via archers coached by Lee. Coach Lee made history when he was awarded Best Olympic Coach of the Year by the USOPC in 2019.
“Coach Lee is the best there has been,” shared five-time Olympian Brady Ellison. “He started working with me in 2006 and built one of the most winning archers of all time. It was not just his technical knowledge that shaped my career. He helped me grow up as a person and helped shape me into the man I am today, and for that I will be forever grateful.”
“Coach Lee's contributions to USA Archery are immeasurable,” said USA Archery CEO Rod Menzer. “His dedication, expertise, and passion for the sport have elevated American archery to new heights. He has not only developed world-class athletes, but has also inspired a generation of archers and coaches. We are profoundly grateful for his service and wish him the very best in his next chapter.”
Coach Lee’s decision to leave USA Archery this year follows great personal tragedy that has shifted his priorities to family at a difficult time. Reflecting on his time in the U.S., Coach Lee expressed his gratitude and pride in the accomplishments of his athletes. “It has been an incredible journey,” said Lee. “I am deeply thankful to USA Archery, my colleagues, and the many athletes I have had the honor to coach. Watching them grow and succeed has been very rewarding. I look forward to seeing the continued success of USA Archery in the years to come.”
As USA Archery begins the search for a new national head coach, the organization remains committed to maintaining the high standards set by Coach Lee. The future of American archery looks bright, bolstered by the strong foundation he has built.
Thank you, Coach KiSik Lee, for your extraordinary service and dedication. Your legacy will continue to inspire and guide the future of archery in the United States and beyond.
Pope and Young Announces Two New Whitetail Velvet World Records
Pope and Young recently announced a new world record typical whitetail deer in velvet, as well as a new world record non-typical whitetail deer in velvet.
Pope and Young convened a special panel to measure these potential world records at a measurers workshop held in Regina, Saskatchewan, on June 15, 2024, and these two amazing bucks have been verified as new world records in their respective categories.
Jack McNaughton shot his typical whitetail in velvet near the Smokey River in Alberta on Aug. 31, 2013. Jack’s buck has a verified final score of 182 4/8 inches, topping the charts and coming in as a new world record.
“Jack’s buck is one of the most incredible whitetails I have ever seen. The velvet was still in immaculate condition, and the symmetry of this buck is impressive to say the least,” said Pope and Young Director of Records Tim Rozewski.
Dallas Heinrichs shot his giant non-typical whitetail in velvet near Hillmond, Saskatchewan, on Sept. 3, 2012. Dallas’ buck has a verified final score of 271 0/8 inches, topping the charts by more than 22 inches and coming in as a new world record.
“You simply can’t keep from staring at this buck for a long time,” said Rozewski. “Along with being incredible to look at, there are so many measuring rules that apply to this buck that make it a real treat to measure. Any trophy in velvet is a challenging task to measure, let alone one with 29 scorable points. Pope and Young didn’t start ranking velvet categories and recognizing velvet world records until 2020. These two bucks were taken 11 and 12 years ago respectively. I was impressed that the hunters had the patience and determination to get their great bucks recognized after so long!”
Click here to see a full listing of Pope and Young world records from each category.
