Sports Authority

PE-Owned1 Documented Impact

LBO loaded massive debt preventing e-commerce investment. All 463 stores liquidated in 2016. 14,000 jobs lost.

Founded: 1987|Acquired by Leonard Green & Partners (2006)$1.3 billion
10
locations tracked

Ownership Information

Sports Authority is owned by Leonard Green & Partners. Private equity ownership often leads to cost-cutting, price increases, and reduced quality of service as firms prioritize returns for investors over customers and employees.Learn more about PE ownership impact →

Timeline

1987

Sports Authority founded

2006

Acquired by Leonard Green & Partners for $1.3 billion

2016CriticalClosure / Bankruptcy

Sports Authority liquidated all 463 stores after $1.3B LBO

Leonard Green's leveraged buyout loaded massive debt preventing e-commerce and store modernization. All 463 stores closed by August 2016. 14,000 workers lost their jobs.

Sports Authority to Close All Stores

Fortune

Before vs. After PE Acquisition

Store count

Reported 2016

Before PE

463 stores

After PE

0 (liquidated)

100%

Tracked Locations

FL (1)

Tampa

8409 Main St

Tampa, FL 33601

555-464-9312

IN (1)

Indianapolis

1327 Main St

Indianapolis, IN 46201

555-376-4563

NC (1)

Raleigh

5662 Main St

Raleigh, NC 27601

555-269-5562

NY (5)

New York

245 Main St

New York, NY 10001

555-458-3019

New York

7739 Main St

New York, NY 10001

555-603-8403

New York

7222 Main St

New York, NY 10001

555-147-9444

New York

4658 Main St

New York, NY 10001

555-934-3517

New York

4507 Main St

New York, NY 10001

555-483-6182

OH (1)

Cleveland

8135 Main St

Cleveland, OH 44101

555-426-3885

TX (1)

San Antonio

5514 Main St

San Antonio, TX 78201

555-285-2939