08 Nov Nike names Scott LeClair as VP of action sports
Nike on Wednesday announced that Scott LeClair would be the brand’s new vice president of action sports, replacing Roger Wyett.
LeClair, 47, will also be responsible for leading the action sports category as well as Hurley International.
LeClair joined Nike in 1992 and has led Nike’s skate and snow business since June 2012. He has held previous roles in North America and was general manager of Nike’s west territory, based in Los Angeles, before moving to Japan to lead the running category and then the merchandising function. He has a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian.
“We’re very pleased that Scott will lead us forward. He is a proven leader with strong brand expertise and his deep knowledge of action sports will be instrumental as we continue to build our business globally,” said Jayme Martin, vice president and general manager of global categories, to whom LeClair will report.
Wyett, 56, has decided to retire, says a Nike news release.
Wyett was most recently responsible for the Nike Brand’s skateboarding and snow businesses, as well as Hurley.
Wyett joined Nike in 1994 and held a number of key senior roles in soccer and Nike Team Sports before leading global product creation. Prior to joining Nike, he worked in the apparel industry in Los Angeles for 14 years, including five years at Puma USA.
In 2000, Wyett left Nike to join the Walt Disney Co., where he was senior vice president for global apparel, accessories and footwear, and later promoted to executive vice president for global sales and marketing for consumer products. Wyett returned to Nike in April 2005 as president and chief operating officer of Hurley, based in Costa Mesa, Calif., where he later became chief executive. He also has been president of Nike affiliates.
“Roger is a tremendous leader and his impact over the years at Nike has been significant,” Nike Brand president Trevor Edwards said in a statement. “We wish him all the best in his retirement and want to thank him for all he has done to inspire our teams, drive strong business growth and consumer connections across our portfolio of brands around the world.”
Martin, in a presentation in early October at the Nike Investor Meeting, emphasized the importance of actions sports “to provide an additional access point to the youth consumer and further create fresh brand energy.”
In skate, the category imitated Nike basketball by signing “the best roster of skaters in the world as partners,” Martin said, and has created “substantial signature business around these icons,” led by skateboarder Paul Rodriguez.
Action sports accounted for $495 million, or 2 percent, of the nearly $21 billion generated in the fiscal year that ended May 31. The category’s revenue has been mostly flat the previous two years: $497 million in 2012 and $446 million in 2011.
— Allan Brettman