SFIA’s Bill Sells, Senior Vice President of Government & Public Affairs, Retiring After 20 Years with Organization

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) announced today that Bill Sells, Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, will retire from SFIA at the end of February 2025. During his distinguished 20-year tenure with SFIA, Sells has been a leading voice on Capitol Hill, championing critical initiatives that have helped shape the sports and fitness industry. 

Throughout his career at SFIA, Sells has directed numerous successful legislative campaigns and policy initiatives and has been an avid supporter of the Congressional sports games. Bill led the effort to secure hundreds of millions in tariff relief on sports and fitness products through the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill and the Generalized System of Preferences program. Sells spearheaded SFIA’s annual National Health Through Fitness Day, which led to more than a billion dollars in physical education funding and the House passing the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act in 2018.  Sells also represented the industry’s interests on potential disruptions at U.S. ports, rail lines, and the UPS when supply chains were threatened.

“Bill’s dedication to advocating for the sports and fitness industry over the past two decades has been invaluable to SFIA,” stated Todd Smith, President & CEO of SFIA. “We are grateful to Bill for his tireless efforts in promoting youth sports participation, fostering active lifestyles, and driving legislative initiatives for our industry on Capitol Hill.  Bill is a true champion.” 

Sells began his Washington career with the Reagan-Bush 1984 Campaign, and then worked for Senators John Heinz, Rudy Boschwitz, and Don Nickles before moving off Capitol Hill to launch his lobbying career, representing the tech and environmental industries prior to joining SFIA in 2004.  

 “It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the sports and fitness industry in Washington, D.C. I will always cherish the friendships I have made, both within the industry, and in Congress, while at SFIA,” said Bill Sells, SVP of Government & Public Affairs, SFIA. “The success realized during my time was aided by the power of sports, bringing together people with different philosophies and outlooks to work on common-sense solutions to the challenges Americans face. Sports are a uniter, and as a sports leader, SFIA is in a great position for continued success going forward.”    

SFIA has been representing the needs of the sports and fitness industry for over 100 years and serves as the leading voice for our industry on Capitol Hill. SFIA advocates for increased sports and fitness participation and advances policies that ensure sports and fitness are accessible to all.  SFIA is excited to work with the new Administration and Congress on legislation that promotes active lifestyles. 

To view the full press release online, click here.

ABOUT SFIA: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation, as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs, and member services. For more information, please visit sfia.org.