Sports Authority
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (sporting goods) |
| Predecessor | Gart Sports |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Venture capital group including William Blair Venture Partners and Bain Capital |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy; brand acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods |
| Headquarters | Englewood, Colorado , United States |
Area served | United States, Puerto Rico, Japan (licensed stores) |
Key people | Michael Foss (CEO) |
| Products | Sporting goods, apparel, athletic gear, footwear, fitness equipment |
Sports Authority, Inc. (previously known as The Sports Authority) was a leading American retailer specializing in sporting goods, with its main office located in Englewood, Colorado. At its height, the company managed 463 outlets across 45 states and Puerto Rico, providing an extensive selection of apparel, athletic gear, footwear, and fitness equipment. Its online sales platform, developed on GSI Commerce, supported a comprehensive multi-channel retail approach. On the international front, a partnership with ÆON Co., Ltd. operated licensed "Sports Authority" stores within Japan.
The business originated as Gart Sports in 1928 in Denver, Colorado, and underwent multiple ownership changes including periods under Kmart and private equity firms like Bain Capital. The final phase of leadership was under CEO Michael Foss.
On March 2, 2016, Sports Authority filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was later converted into Chapter 7 bankruptcy. By May of that year, all retail locations had been sold to liquidation firms and were slated to close by August. In a strategic move to increase market share and consolidate industry standing, rival Dick's Sporting Goods acquired the Sports Authority brand and intellectual property on June 30, 2016. The company's online store shut down in mid-July 2016, directing customers to Dick’s Sporting Goods’ website.
This acquisition represented a major transformation within the sporting goods retail sector, bolstering Dick’s position by expanding its brand portfolio and customer reach.
Gart Brothers
Founded in 1928 by Denver Post deliveryman Nathan Gart with just $50 worth of fishing rod samples, Gart Brothers grew substantially over the ensuing decades. In 1971, they introduced the "Sportscastle" superstore concept in Denver, Colorado. Expansion continued throughout the 1980s through acquisitions such as Hagan's Sports Ltd. and Stevens Brown. By 1992, Leonard Green & Partners became the principal shareholder following their purchase of Thrifty.
Sportmart
The Hochberg and Cantor families launched the initial Sportmart store in Niles, Illinois, eventually expanding to 60 locations across nine states. In 1998, Sportmart merged with Gart Bros. The company briefly ventured into the Canadian market during the 1990s but withdrew after two years.
Oshman's
Established in Houston, Texas in 1919 by Jake Oshman, Oshman's had become Texas’s largest sporting goods retailer by 1965 with a network of 43 SuperSports USA stores alongside 15 traditional outlets. It merged with Gart Bros. in 2001 before being incorporated into Sports Authority.
Sports Authority
The Sports Authority, Inc., was founded in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida by a venture capital group including William Blair Venture Partners and Bain Capital along with executives such as CEO Jack A. Smith. Its inaugural store opened in Fort Lauderdale in November 1987.
Kmart purchased Sports Authority in 1990 and rebranded its Detroit-area Sports Giant stores under the Sports Authority name. By 1995, the company operated 136 stores across 26 states and was spun off from Kmart. Headquartered near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it experienced rapid growth becoming a prominent force within the sporting goods retail market.
Merger of Gart Sports with The Sports Authority
On August 4, 2003, Gart Sports, which operated Oshman's and Sportmart stores, finalized a "merger of equals" with The Sports Authority, then recognized as the largest full-line sporting goods retailer in the United States, boasting 205 outlets across 33 states. The unified entity continued under The Sports Authority brand and established its headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, where Gart Sports was originally based. Ownership was evenly split between the shareholders of both companies, each holding approximately half of the new corporation. By May 2006, all remaining locations had been rebranded under the Sports Authority name.
Leveraged Buyout by Leonard Green & Partners in 2006
In January 2006, Leonard Green & Partners, a private equity firm, completed a $1.4 billion leveraged buyout of Sports Authority. The transaction received shareholder approval in May, resulting in Sports Authority’s removal from public stock exchanges and the discontinuation of its SEC financial reporting.
Acquisition of Copeland's Sports Locations
Following Copeland's Sports' Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in November 2006, Sports Authority expanded its retail presence by acquiring leasehold interests for seven former Copeland’s stores through a subsidiary.
Introduction of S.A. Elite
In mid-2010, Sports Authority launched "S.A. Elite," a boutique-format chain specializing in premium sports apparel and accessories aimed at affluent customers. By 2012, this brand had extended its reach to the East Coast market.
Bankruptcy and Liquidation
On February 4, 2016, reports indicated that Sports Authority was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to significant debt challenges. The company officially filed for bankruptcy on March 2 and announced closures of all 25 Texas locations. After considering restructuring alternatives, on April 26 Sports Authority declared it would sell all assets and retail stores. During this period, competitors such as Academy Sports + Outdoors and Dick's Sporting Goods expressed acquisition interest.
Although initial plans involved auctioning assets while maintaining store operations, by May 18 the company shifted its bankruptcy status to Chapter 7 liquidation, signaling complete shutdowns amid a nationwide retail decline. By late July 2016, visitors to the Sports Authority website were redirected to Dick's Sporting Goods, marking the conclusion of its business activities.
Private Label Brands
Sports Authority carried a broad selection of sporting goods from multiple manufacturers and also promoted several private label brands including Alpine Design (seasonal outdoor apparel and gear), Sims (seasonal clothing and snowboards), Aspire (women’s athletic wear), SA Gear (men’s activewear and fitness equipment), Tommy Armour and Ram (golf-related products), Parkside (outdoor recreational items like trampolines and games), and Bodyfit by Sports Authority (fitness accessories). These private labels were typically produced by external manufacturers.
Sports Authority Field at Mile High
The corporate naming rights for the Denver Broncos’ stadium in Denver, Colorado were held by Sports Authority under the title Sports Authority Field at Mile High. In August 2016, following the Broncos’ acquisition of naming rights, the Sports Authority name was removed. By June 2018, the venue was known as Broncos Stadium at Mile High until Empower Retirement secured naming rights in September 2019.
Competition
The primary rivals encompassed: