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
6
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%

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Tracked Locations

CA (1)

Los Angeles

8100 Main St

Los Angeles, CA 90001

555-120-6027

FL (1)

Tampa

9789 Main St

Tampa, FL 33601

555-933-4879

IL (1)

Chicago

6449 Main St

Chicago, IL 60601

555-526-4010

NC (1)

Charlotte

548 Main St

Charlotte, NC 28201

555-893-8989

TN (1)

Nashville

2473 Main St

Nashville, TN 37201

555-875-3802

WA (1)

Seattle

4363 Main St

Seattle, WA 98101

555-485-2311