1948: Dick's Sporting Goods Founded
In 1948, Richard "Dick" Stack opened the first Dick's Sporting Goods store in Binghamton, New York. It began as a modest fishing tackle shop, funded by a $300 loan from Stack's grandmother.
1948: Dick's Sporting Goods Founded
Richard "Dick" Stack established Dick's Sporting Goods in Binghamton, New York, in 1948, starting with a small fishing tackle shop and a $300 loan from his grandmother.
1984: Edward W. Stack Becomes CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods
Edward W. Stack took the helm as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick's Sporting Goods in 1984, succeeding his father upon his retirement.
1994: Dick's Sporting Goods Relocates Headquarters to Pittsburgh
In 1994, under the leadership of Edward W. Stack, Dick's Sporting Goods underwent a significant relocation, moving its headquarters to Pittsburgh. This strategic move reflected the company's growth and expansion beyond its original base in Upstate New York.
2002: Dick's Sporting Goods Goes Public
A pivotal moment in the company's history arrived in 2002 when Dick's Sporting Goods went public under the leadership of Edward W. Stack. This initial public offering marked a significant step in the company's growth and expansion.
July 2004: Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires Galyan's
Dick's Sporting Goods acquired Galyan's, a sporting goods retailer, in July 2004, further expanding its market presence and customer base.
2006: Dick's Sporting Goods Secures Naming Rights to Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Dick's Sporting Goods secured a significant sponsorship deal in 2006 by signing a 20-year naming rights agreement for Dick's Sporting Goods Park, a soccer-specific stadium located in Commerce City, Colorado, home to the Colorado Rapids soccer team.
November 2007: Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires Chick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods continued its expansion in the sporting goods retail market in November 2007 by acquiring Chick's Sporting Goods for $71 million. At the time, Chick's Sporting Goods operated 15 specialty sporting goods stores in Southern California, giving Dick's Sporting Goods a stronger foothold in this regional market.
2008: Dick's Sporting Goods Closes Golf Galaxy Headquarters
Dick's Sporting Goods confirmed plans to close Golf Galaxy's headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, in mid-2008, following its acquisition of the golf retailer. This decision reflected the company's efforts to consolidate operations and streamline its business structure.
2009: Dick's Sporting Goods Sponsors ESPN's College Football Kickoff Week
Dick's Sporting Goods expanded its presence in college football in 2009 by becoming a sponsor of ESPN's college football kickoff week.
2009: Dick's Sporting Goods Expands Nationwide
Dick's Sporting Goods embarked on a nationwide expansion in 2009, broadening its reach beyond the Eastern United States.
2012: Dick's Sporting Goods Opens True Runner Stores
In 2012, Dick's Sporting Goods ventured into a specialized market by opening three True Runner stores. These stores, located in Boston, Brentwood (a St. Louis suburb), and Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood, aimed to cater specifically to runners.
2012: Dick's Sporting Goods Suspends Assault-Style Weapon Sales
In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, Dick's Sporting Goods temporarily suspended the sale of assault-style weapons at its Dick's-branded stores. However, it's worth noting that these firearms remained available for purchase at Field & Stream locations, highlighting the complexities and sensitivities surrounding gun control measures.
2013: Dick's Sporting Goods Opens First Field & Stream Store
Dick's Sporting Goods expanded its retail portfolio in 2013 by opening the first Field & Stream store in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. This marked the company's entry into the outdoor recreation market.
2014: Launch of the Sports Matter Program
Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation launched the Sports Matter program in 2014, committing $2 million annually to support youth sports through grants, equipment, and sponsorships.
2015: Dick's Sporting Goods Sponsors Olympic and Paralympic Athletes and Hopefuls
Dick's Sporting Goods began sponsoring Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls in 2015, demonstrating a commitment to supporting athletes at various stages of their careers. This initiative extended beyond financial support, as the company actively engaged with athletes through programs like the Ambassador Program and Contender's Program.
2015: Dick's Sporting Goods Launches Chelsea Collective
Dick's Sporting Goods entered the women's athleisure, fitness, and lifestyle market in 2015 with the launch of Chelsea Collective. The first two stores opened in Pittsburgh and Tysons, Virginia, within the Washington, D.C. metro area.
2015: Dick's Sporting Goods and Carrie Underwood Launch Calia
Dick's Sporting Goods partnered with singer and actress Carrie Underwood in 2015 to launch Calia, a fitness lifestyle line targeting women.
July 2016: Dick's Sporting Goods Sponsors US Olympic and Paralympic Teams
Dick's Sporting Goods strengthened its ties with the United States Olympic Committee in July 2016, becoming the "official sporting goods retailer" for Team USA during the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This sponsorship provided significant brand visibility and demonstrated support for American athletes on the global stage.
October 2016: Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires Golfsmith
Dick's Sporting Goods further strengthened its dominance in the golf retail market in October 2016 by acquiring Golfsmith, the largest golf retailer in the United States, at a bankruptcy auction. Dick's Sporting Goods's bid of approximately $70 million secured all of Golfsmith's intellectual property and inventory, allowing for a strategic expansion of its golf-related offerings. While Dick's Sporting Goods planned to retain around 30 of Golfsmith's more than 100 locations and 500 employees, the acquisition primarily aimed to leverage Golfsmith's brand recognition and customer base to bolster its existing golf operations.
2016: Dick's Sporting Goods Launches Dick's Team Sports HQ
In early 2016, Dick's Sporting Goods introduced Dick's Team Sports HQ, a platform designed to support youth sports teams. This initiative offered a range of resources, including websites, uniforms, and sponsorship opportunities, highlighting Dick's commitment to youth sports.
2016: Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires GameChanger
Dick's Sporting Goods acquired GameChanger, a mobile scoring app company, in 2016. This acquisition aligned with the company's growing focus on technology and its application in sports, particularly in youth sports where GameChanger had a strong presence.
2016: Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires Affinity Sports and Sports Authority
Dick's Sporting Goods engaged in strategic acquisitions in 2016 to enhance its technological capabilities and expand its brand portfolio. Dick's Sporting Goods acquired Affinity Sports, a sports management technology company based in San Diego, for an undisclosed sum in mid-2016, seeking to leverage its expertise in sports technology. In a significant move, Dick's Sporting Goods acquired the brand name and intellectual property of Sports Authority in September 2016, following Sports Authority's bankruptcy. At the time, Sports Authority had 450 store locations, providing Dick's Sporting Goods with valuable assets and the opportunity to expand its customer reach.
2017: Dick's Sporting Goods Closes Chelsea Collective Stores
Chelsea Collective stores, the women's athleisure venture by Dick's Sporting Goods, were closed in 2017, indicating a potential shift in the company's strategy regarding specialized retail concepts.
2017: Dick's Sporting Goods Closes True Runner Stores
Dick's Sporting Goods made the decision to close its True Runner stores in early 2017. This move suggests that the specialized running stores may not have achieved the desired level of success or aligned with the company's long-term strategy.
2017: Dick's Sporting Goods Rebrands Golfsmith Stores as Golf Galaxy
Dick's Sporting Goods rebranded 36–38 Golfsmith stores in 16 U.S. states as Golf Galaxy in 2017, capitalizing on the established Golf Galaxy brand and expanding its footprint in the golf retail market. This strategic move increased the number of Golf Galaxy stores to 98, located in 33 states, solidifying its position as a leading golf retailer in the United States.
2017: Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires Three Companies
In 2017, Dick's Sporting Goods expanded its reach by acquiring Affinity Sports, Blue Sombrero, and GameChanger, signaling a period of strategic growth and diversification for the company.
2017: Multiyear Partnership with US Youth Soccer Association
In 2017, Dick's Sporting Goods partnered with the United States Youth Soccer Association. They aimed to provide team management technology and sponsor the US Youth Soccer National Championships.
January 2018: Dick's Sporting Goods Opens Distribution Center in Conklin, New York
In January 2018, Dick's Sporting Goods opened a new distribution center in Conklin, New York, located in the state's Southern Tier. This expansion of the company's logistical network was aimed at enhancing its fulfillment capabilities, particularly for online sales, which were experiencing significant growth.
February 2018: Dick's Sporting Goods Changes Policy on Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines
Following the tragic shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018, Dick's Sporting Goods made significant changes to its firearm policies. The company ceased sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, while also raising the minimum age for gun purchases to 21. These actions demonstrated Dick's response to growing concerns about gun violence and its willingness to take a stance on a controversial issue.
2018: Dick's Sporting Goods Operates 35 Field & Stream Stores
By 2018, Dick's Sporting Goods had expanded the Field & Stream brand to 35 stores across the country, demonstrating the growing popularity of outdoor recreation and the company's efforts to capitalize on this trend.
2019: Dick's Sporting Goods Launches Private-Label Clothing Line DSG
Dick's Sporting Goods entered the private-label clothing market in 2019 with the launch of its DSG line. The company's other brands include the women's line Calia, and their menswear brand VRST.
February 1, 2021: Lauren Hobart Becomes First Female CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods
On February 1, 2021, Lauren Hobart made history by becoming the first female CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods, succeeding Edward W. Stack.
September 2021: Official Retail Partner of the WNBA
Dick's Sporting Goods became the official retail partner of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in September 2021 through a multi-year agreement.
2021: Collaborations with Nike and DeVonta Smith
Dick's Sporting Goods collaborated with Nike and NFL player DeVonta Smith in 2021.
2021: Dick's Sporting Goods Launches Public Lands and Supports Conservation
In 2021, Dick's Sporting Goods demonstrated its commitment to outdoor recreation and conservation by launching Public Lands, a new chain specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. Public Lands is committed to giving back, donating 1% of its sales to the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation's Public Lands Fund. This fund focuses on supporting conservation efforts and promoting outdoor activities.
2021: Dick's Sporting Goods Opens First "House of Sport" Concept Stores
Dick's Sporting Goods unveiled its innovative "House of Sport" concept stores in 2021, with the first locations opening in Victor, New York and Knoxville, Tennessee. These stores, significantly larger than the traditional Dick's flagship locations, were designed to offer a premium shopping experience with a focus on higher-end gear and interactive features, including an outdoor turf field, track, climbing wall, batting cages, and a digital golf range.
2022: Dick's Sporting Goods Launches DSG Ventures
In 2022, Dick's Sporting Goods established DSG Ventures, a $50 million investment fund aimed at supporting innovative businesses in the sports and outdoor recreation industries. This initiative highlighted Dick's commitment to fostering growth and innovation within these sectors.
February 2023: Dick's Sporting Goods Acquires Moosejaw from Walmart
Dick's Sporting Goods expanded its reach in the outdoor recreation market in February 2023 by acquiring Moosejaw, a retailer specializing in outdoor gear and apparel, from Walmart for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition reflects Dick's Sporting Goods's continued interest in catering to outdoor enthusiasts and strengthening its presence in this growing market segment.
August 2023: Dick's Sporting Goods Reaches 853 Stores
By August 2023, Dick's Sporting Goods had grown to approximately 853 stores, solidifying its position as the largest sporting goods retailer in the United States.
2023: Dick's Sporting Goods Operates Over 800 Stores in 47 States
By 2023, Dick's Sporting Goods had significantly expanded its footprint, with more than 800 stores operating across 47 states.
2023: Launch of the 'Sports Change Lives' Campaign
In 2023, Dick's Sporting Goods launched the 'Sports Change Lives' campaign, partnering with Nike and athletes like Mike Trout and Carmelo Anthony to promote sports participation and provide grants to youth sports organizations.
2023: Dick's Sporting Goods Shuts Down Field & Stream Brand
In 2023, Dick's Sporting Goods made the strategic decision to shutter its Field & Stream brand, opting to convert the remaining stores into its House of Sport concept or larger-format Dick's stores. This move reflected a potential shift in the company's approach to the outdoor recreation market and its retail strategy.
2023: Partnerships with the Boston Athletic Association, NCAA, and MLB
In 2023, Dick's became the official sporting-goods retailer of the NCAA and the official sponsor of all Boston Athletic Association events. Its subsidiary, GameChanger, also partnered with Major League Baseball to support youth sports.
2024: Edward W. Stack Serves as Executive Chairman, Navdeep Gupta as CFO
As of 2024, Edward W. Stack continued to hold an influential role within the company, serving as the executive chairman. Simultaneously, Navdeep Gupta held the position of chief financial officer.