Former Sports Authority Stores Thrive Under New Tenants 10 Years After Bankruptcy

Sporting goods retailer's real estate in high demand from variety of users, including other retailers, fitness centers, and medical facilities.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 10:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sports Authority filed for bankruptcy in 2016, leading to the closure of all 460 of its Big Box stores. However, the real estate previously occupied by Sports Authority has not remained vacant, with 95% of the former stores being backfilled by new tenants or repurposed for other uses within a few years. Major retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods, Burlington, and TJ Maxx have opened locations in around 40 former Sports Authority stores each, while other non-apparel retailers, fitness centers, medical offices, and even entertainment venues have also taken over the spaces.

Why it matters

The rapid re-tenanting of former Sports Authority stores highlights the continued demand for well-located, adaptable retail real estate, even in the face of major retailer bankruptcies and store closures. It demonstrates that landlords and developers were able to leverage the available space to attract new users and enhance their properties, rather than leaving the real estate vacant.

The details

Sports Authority grew rapidly through the 1990s and 2000s, but filed for bankruptcy in 2016 due to factors like excessive debt, competition, and the rise of e-commerce. However, the real estate itself was not the problem - 95% of the former Sports Authority stores were backfilled within a few years, often by major retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods, Burlington, and TJ Maxx, which each took over around 40 locations. Other users, such as fitness centers, medical offices, and entertainment venues, also repurposed former Sports Authority spaces. The stores were attractive due to their modern construction, open floor plans, and prime locations, often in thriving shopping centers. Landlords were also able to leverage the available space to attract new tenants and improve their properties.

  • Sports Authority filed for bankruptcy in March 2016.
  • Within a year, all 460 Sports Authority stores had closed.
  • By 2017-2022, around 75% of Dick's Sporting Goods' new store openings and over 25% of Burlington's new stores were in former Sports Authority locations.

The players

Sports Authority

A sporting goods retail chain that filed for bankruptcy in 2016, leading to the closure of all 460 of its Big Box stores.

Dick's Sporting Goods

A major sporting goods retailer that acquired the Sports Authority brand and intellectual property, and opened locations in around 40 former Sports Authority stores.

Burlington

A discount retail chain that opened locations in around 40 former Sports Authority stores.

TJ Maxx

A discount retail chain that opened locations in around 40 former Sports Authority stores.

Hobby Lobby

A craft retailer that opened locations in 17 former Sports Authority stores.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The rapid re-tenanting of former Sports Authority stores demonstrates the continued demand for well-located, adaptable retail real estate, even in the face of major retailer bankruptcies. It shows that landlords and developers were able to leverage the available space to attract new users and enhance their properties, rather than leaving the real estate vacant.