Who Owns Champs Sports?
Champs Sports is owned by Dick's Sporting Goods, a publicly traded American sporting goods retailer. Originally founded in 1984 and acquired by Foot Locker (now owned by Dick's), Champs Sports operates as a specialty retailer focused on youth culture, sneaker trends, and athletic apparel across North America and Europe.
Parent Company
Dick's Sporting Goods
Acquired
1980
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Bradenton, Florida, USA
Who Owns Champs Sports?
- Parent Company: Dick's Sporting Goods
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1980
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: DKS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Champs Sports | Dick's Sporting Goods | Wholly owned |
History of Champs Sports
- Founded: 1984
- Founders: Champs Sports (independent founding)
- Acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods: 1980
Champs Sports was founded in 1984 as an independent athletic footwear and apparel retailer. The brand quickly established itself as a specialty retailer focused on youth culture, sneaker trends, and athletic brands. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for youth-focused athletic footwear while establishing a distinctive retail concept that would define specialty sneaker retail for generations.
In the 1980s, Champs Sports was acquired by the Woolworth Corporation (parent of Foot Locker), becoming part of Woolworth's specialty retail division. Under Foot Locker's ownership, Champs Sports expanded its presence across North America and Europe. This corporate acquisition provided Champs Sports with the resources necessary for geographic expansion while maintaining its core brand identity and youth-focused positioning.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Champs Sports maintained its focus on youth culture and sneaker trends, differentiating itself from the broader Foot Locker banner through curated product selection and marketing strategies targeting younger consumers. This period of brand development demonstrated Champs Sports' exceptional ability to serve specific consumer segments while maintaining consistent brand positioning and retail excellence that would define the brand for decades.
In 2021, Foot Locker appointed Blanca Gonzalez as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Champs Sports, bringing fresh leadership to the brand. In September 2025, Dick's Sporting Goods' acquisition of Foot Locker brought Champs Sports into Dick's portfolio. This strategic acquisition demonstrated Dick's Sporting Goods' exceptional ability to identify and acquire specialty retail brands with strong brand equity while providing the resources necessary for continued growth and expansion in the competitive athletic footwear market.
About Dick's Sporting Goods
What does Dick's Sporting Goods sell?
Dick's Sporting Goods sells athletic apparel, footwear, sports equipment, outdoor recreation gear, and fitness equipment across virtually every sport and outdoor activity. The company carries products from major brands including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, The North Face, and Columbia, as well as its own private label brands including DSG, Alpine Design, and Calia.
Is Dick's Sporting Goods publicly traded?
Yes, Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker DKS. The company went public in October 2002. The Stack family retains a significant stake through multiple share classes. Ed Stack, son of founder Dick Stack, serves as Executive Chairman.
Who founded Dick's Sporting Goods?
Dick's Sporting Goods was founded in 1948 by Richard "Dick" Stack, who opened a bait and tackle shop in Binghamton, New York with $300 borrowed from his grandmother's cookie jar. Dick Stack's son Ed Stack joined the company in 1984 and transformed it into a national sporting goods retailer.
Where is Dick's Sporting Goods headquartered?
Dick's Sporting Goods is headquartered in Findlay Township, Pennsylvania, USA, near Pittsburgh. The company operates more than 850 stores across the United States, with no significant international presence.
How many stores does Dick's Sporting Goods operate?
Dick's Sporting Goods operates more than 850 stores across the United States, including flagship Dick's Sporting Goods stores, Golf Galaxy specialty stores, Public Lands outdoor stores, and House of Sport experiential flagship stores. The company employs approximately 50,000 people.
Who owns Dick's Sporting Goods?
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE. The Stack family retains a significant stake through multiple share classes. Ed Stack, son of founder Dick Stack, serves as Executive Chairman. Lauren Hobart serves as President and CEO. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders.
- Founded: 1948
- Headquarters: Findlay Township, Pennsylvania, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: DKS
Where Is Champs Sports Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Bradenton, Florida, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: North America, Europe
Brands Owned by Dick's Sporting Goods
- atmos - Premium Japanese streetwear and sneaker boutique founded in Tokyo, now owned by ...
- Foot Locker - Leading athletic footwear and apparel retailer operating specialty stores global...
- WSS - West Coast-focused athletic footwear and apparel retailer specializing in servin...
Champs Sports Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong focus on youth culture and sneaker trends
- +Curated product selection and brand partnerships
- +Established presence across North America and Europe
- +Integration with Dick's Sporting Goods' resources and supply chain
- +Omni-channel retail capabilities
- +Brand recognition among younger consumers
Considerations
- -Competition from direct-to-consumer sneaker brands
- -Challenges in specialty retail market consolidation
- -Need to maintain distinct brand identity within Dick's portfolio
- -Changing consumer preferences in footwear retail
- -E-commerce competition from online retailers
- -Market saturation in some geographic regions
Frequently Asked Questions About Champs Sports
Competitors to Champs Sports
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Champs Sportsoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Dick's Sporting Goods Stock Information
Jobs at Dick's Sporting Goods
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