Private equity firm KKR & Co. announced on Monday it is selling off its entire stake in Academy Sports — 18.65 million shares. Its stake in the Texas-based sporting goods retailer is valued at $852.85 million as of market close on Friday. KKR acquired its 20% of Academy Sports in 2011 for an undisclosed amount and has since been the retailer’s largest shareholder.
Despite the news, Academy Sports shows no signs of slowing down.
- The company secured a multi-year partnership with the Big 12 Conference in 2020.
- It raised $203 million during its IPO last October, valuing the retailer at $1.1 billion.
- The company agreed to sponsorship deals in July with Texas athletics and Austin FC.
- It operates 259 stores across the U.S. and plans to open more than 800 total.
Academy Sports generated record revenue of $1.79 billion in Q2 2021, an 11% increase year-over-year. The retailer benefited from increased demand for outdoor and at-home fitness products during the global pandemic.
As a result of the record-setting quarter, Academy Sports raised its full-year revenue guidance to between $6.46 billion and $6.62 billion. It intends to purchase up to $200 million of the shares KKR will be offering.
