Envision a store bursting with people but lacking of goods. Fixtures are scattered about. Trash litters the partially carpeted floor. A black friday on a hot summer’s day, the shelves are empty. Balls are deflated. All that’s left of real use are a few clothes hanging on rods and some backpacks in the middle. It is as if there was going to be an apocalypse and the sporting goods store had all you needed to survive. This was a Sports Authority store earlier this past week.
Sports Authority stores used to be everywhere. Founded in 1987 and with over 450 locations within the country, the name rings a bell with any person who ever went shopping for sporting goods. It’s almost hard to believe that they are going out of business and liquidating their assets.
That is, until you remember how expensive everything there was. No coupons and no crazy sales meant opting for the Walmart across the street instead. The standing punching bag, the heavyweight boxing gloves, the countless gym equipment in my basement and even punching bag Bob are all from a company that is now closing down -- Sports Authority.
The bright side of this company going out of business is that the stores are rushing to sell everything they can. Activewear, backpacks, skates, balls -- they are all for 80 percent off. Even the fixtures have been put on sale. When they say everything must go, they really do mean everything.
Sports Authority has already closed down their site for purchases and, by the end of July, most of their stores will be forever closed as well. It is a little sad to see a huge company go out of business but, considering the prices they had, it really is a miracle they stayed open so long. With the internet these days, people are able to find same quality goods for a much cheaper price. It is only in this going out of business blowout sale that Sports Authority feels affordable to buy from.
The workout equipment hidden in my basement still lingers. A series of New Year resolution purchases, they will probably never be used for their actual purpose. They will continue to be stand-in ladders and make-shift tables. Maybe there will be something else at the store to add to this collection of giant paperweights before it closes.
Sports Authority used to be the name that came into your head when you thought about a legitimate, though pricy, sporting goods store. Now, we can turn to Dick's Sporting Goods. It is safe to say the company has lost its authority sports world. Thank you for 29 years.
