Bauer and Nike hockey gear was a huge deal in the 90s.  They made a big partnership.  It was a huge hockey company being bought buy a huge sports company.  I can’t even fathom how big a company Nike is.  They are everywhere.  Any type of sports equipment there is, they most likely have their hands in products for.  I was surprised to learn that Nike has sold Bauer.  Not only did they sell them, I found out that they sold them around two years ago.  Talk about being out of the loop.  So how could I let this slip through my eyes.  Well, apparently even though they are not owned by Nike, Bauer will still retain the famous swoosh symbol.  At least, that’s what I’ve read.

There’s an article out there floating around about who bought it.  The dude is a Canadian business man I think.  The fact that a hockey company is going back to its Canadian roots is good.  Hockey is there number one sport.  What’s bad about all this?  Well for one, I think I remember hearing that they are getting away from the whole inline hockey angle and focusing more towards ice hockey.  I believe this is a mistake for a number of reasons.  One, hockey isn’t popular at the moment.  At the height of its popularity in the 90s, inline hockey was huge.  Its also the most accessible way to play the sport.  You can’t have ice in all degrees of weather, but you can have sport courts.  Catch what I’m saying?  I know they have to think of something new to compete with Reebok, but I say they should push hard the Roller hockey angle.  It was popular for a reason at one time.  People will come back to it. 

The main problem with roller hockey was that it was just too damn expensive.  That is what drives people away.  If it comes down to normal everyday living and in this economy it will, then expensive roller hockey is going to go out the window.  They should find away to lower the prices on their hockey equipment.  This way they can regain their old audience and hopefully capture some new hockey players as well.  I have this to say to Bauer hockey, roller hockey is not dead and it wasn’t a fad.  Hopefully you will use your association with Nike and maintain your Bauer brand in all iterations of hockey equipment, both inline and ice hockey.