On September 17, 2026, the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) officially launched The Industry that Moves the World: The Sporting Goods Industry Economic Impact Report in Geneva, Switzerland. The event brought together global industry leaders, government representatives, policymakers, and voices from the sports community to witness this historic moment.
SBS Chairman and WFSGI Board Member, Ding Zhaoquan was invited to attend the event in person, joining industry peers in celebrating the release of this significant report.
The Industry that Moves the World is the first-ever assessment of the sporting goods sector’s economic footprint. The report reveals that the sporting goods industry contributes US$675 billion to global GDP annually and supports 28 million jobs worldwide. In other words, one out of every 125 jobs globally is connected to this dynamic industry. These figures not only demonstrate the industry’s economic contribution but also highlight its broader role in encouraging sports participation and advancing global health and well-being.
The sharing session held that evening was also inspiring. Distinguished speakers, including Marlou van Rhijn, three-time Paralympic gold medalist, Jorge Casimiro, Chief Government & Public Affairs and Public Policy Officer at Nike, Hanni Rosenbaum, Executive Director of Business at OECD, Manuel Pauser, Vice President of Government Affairs at adidas, and Emma P. (Mason) Zwiebler, Chief Executive Officer of WFSGI, shared their valuable insights into the sporting goods industry’s remarkable economic, social, and health impact. The conversation was moderated by former BBC presenter David Eades.
On the same day, Ding Zhaoquan, together with Jorge Casimiro of Nike, Manuel Pauser of adidas, and Alexandra Vitard, Global Head of Public Affairs at Decathlon, represented the global sporting goods industry in a meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
During the meeting, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala expressed strong interest in the tariff-related data highlighted in The Industry that Moves the World report. According to the report, the global sporting goods industry faces an average tariff rate of 14.1%, approximately three times higher than the average tariff level across all traded goods. Both sides exchanged views on ways to reduce tariff barriers and facilitate global trade. Discussions also covered cotton initiatives and sustainable development.
As an integral part of the sporting goods supply chain, SBS believes that every zipper and every detail plays a meaningful role in driving this industry forward. The inspiring vision highlighted in this report is made possible by the collective efforts of the entire industry, and SBS is proud to be part of this shared journey.
Looking Ahead
SBS will continue to uphold its commitment to craftsmanship and continuous improvement, working alongside global partners to support the development of sports, health, and a better quality of life through innovative zipper solutions.
