ABOUT US

Home - About

JOHN B. GEARING — FOUNDER, GLOBAL SPORTS ADVISORY

John is a business leader and investor with more than 25 years of experience across global sports, retail, and private equity. His career highlights include:

Senior executive roles at Adidas and VF Corporation, leading APAC sportswear growth.
CEO of One Fit Holdings, driving the MENAT expansion of UFC Gyms.
Part of the founding leadership team at Kontoor Brands (Lee & Wrangler), supporting a $1.8bn NYSE listing.
Ongoing advisory and investment in sports, fitness, and consumer lifestyle ventures.

John is also the author of The CEO Mirage (Feb 2026) and is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. His leadership style is recognized for its decisiveness, no-nonsense approach, and focus on sustainable growth.

OUR MISSION

To empower founders and investors in the sports, fitness, and lifestyle sectors with capital, strategy, and operational guidance. We aim to create businesses that are scalable, sustainable, and built for long-term impact.

FOUNDER'S NOTE

Global Sports Advisory began as an idea - that sport, done well, creates strength, connection, and meaning far beyond the field or gym.

There was no fund, no office, no playbook. Just a belief that disciplined investment, guided by integrity and a respect for performance, could build something lasting.

GSA exists to back people and projects that live those values - where culture matters as much as capital, and where growth aligns with purpose.

It's early days, but the direction is clear. We build from first principles, and we back what we believe in.

- Founder, Global Sports Advisory

OUR VALUES

INTEGRITY

Every decision and recommendation is guided by honesty and transparency.

COLLABORATION

We work closely with founders, investors, and teams to deliver real results.

EXCELLENCE

We set high standards for strategy, execution, and performance.

INNOVATION

We seek creative approaches that give ventures a competitive edge.

OUR ADVISORY PHILOSOPHY

We combine strategic insight with hands-on execution. Unlike traditional consultants, we operate like an investor and an operator: ensuring every recommendation is actionable, every strategy is measurable, and every decision drives growth.

THE CEO MIRAGE

John B. Gearing’s upcoming book, The CEO Mirage (Feb 2026), reflects his philosophy of pragmatic leadership, strategic clarity, and disciplined execution. The book shares insights from decades of experience leading global brands and building ventures, offering guidance to founders and executives alike.