Sports Authority

Sports Authority, Inc. (known as The Sports Authority in some locations) was one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the United States. It was headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, and operated more than 460 stores in 45 U.S. states and Puerto Rico under the Sports Authority name. In July 2016, Sports Authority closed all of its stores due to economic issues and was purchased by Dick's Sporting Goods. 
The company's website was on the GSI Commerce platform and supports the retail stores as well as other multi-channel programs. In addition, a joint venture with ÆON Co., Ltd. operated "Sports Authority" stores in Japan under a licensing agreement. When Sports Authority closed, Dick's Sporting Goods website replaced the former Sports Authority website. 
== Bankruptcy/Liquidation ==
On February 4, 2016, it was widely reported that Sports Authority was set to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy, due to debt problems. Later that month, The Dallas Morning News reported that the company planned to close all 25 of its stores in Texas. The report did not specify a date for the closures. On March 2, 2016, Sports Authority filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. After considering restructuring, Sports Authority announced that on April 26, they would sell all of their assets, including all of the remaining store locations. Earlier in April, Reuters reported that Academy Sports Plus Outdoors and Dick's Sporting Goods had expressed interest in purchasing Sports Authority's assets. On May 3, 2016, the company notified the US Bankruptcy Court that it would not reorganize its debt but would auction its assets. Contrary to media reports, the company announced it would not be liquidating its assets, but would be auctioning off its stores and operations, with the intended goal of keeping all of its stores open. On May 18, however, it was announced that the effort to avoid liquidation was unsuccessful, causing the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing to be converted to Chapter 7. The stores would in fact be closed, part of the American retail trend known as the retail apocalypse. As of July 28, 2016, the Sports Authority website redirects to the Dick's Sporting Goods website.
Category:Defunct retailers
Category:Defunct sporting goods stores
Category:Sporting Goods Stores
Category:Retailers that filed for bankruptcy
Category:Defunct Mall Retailers
Category:Retailers
Category:Retailers by type
Category:Discount stores
Category:USA
Category:North America
Category:Companies
Category:Franchises
Category:Brands