Sports Authority Named Official Sporting Goods Retailer of USA Football

Source: USA Football USA Football, the sport's national governing body, and Sports Authority announced today that the Englewood, Colo.-based company is the official sporting goods retailer of USA Football. Sports Authority's multi-year partnership with USA Football marks its most significant foray into America's youth football community, composed of approximately 3.0 million players age 6-14. USA Football is the official youth development partner of the NFL, the NFLPA and the league's 32 teams. Sports Authority operates more than 450 stores in 45 states. An industry-leading retailer of sports equipment and apparel, Sports Authority will be woven into USA Football's national events and initiatives including: --USA Football Coaching Schools: presenting sponsor of select single-day coaching clinics exclusively designed for youth football coaches --USA Football Player Academies: offering incentives for young athletes aged 7-14 who register for USA Football's three-day player camps --USA Football State Leadership Forums: to support USA Football's regional idea-sharing meetings for youth football league commissioners nationwide --"Pass the Good" program: promotes and enables football gear and apparel to be donated at Sports Authority stores and awarded to youth leagues across the country based on need Independent non-profit USA Football, based in Indianapolis, teaches the game's fundamentals and inherent values through more than 80 annual football training events and state-of-the-art online skill development resources. USA Football members - youth football coaches, players, league commissioners and game officials - reside in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, the NFL Players Association, and each of the league's 32 teams. "This partnership is very meaningful to Sports Authority as we are constantly working to connect with and help youth sports programs on a national level," said DAVID CAMPISI, President and CEO of Sports Authority. "Sports Authority strongly values encouraging youth to stay active and healthy through competitive and recreational sports and looks forward to this landmark partnership with USA Football." "We are very pleased to welcome an industry leader like Sports Authority into the USA Football family," said USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK. "Together we will help advance youth football through our events and initiatives that benefit the millions of youngsters who love to play this sport." About Sports AuthorityHeadquartered in Englewood, Colo., Sports Authority is one of the nation's largest full-line sporting goods retailers, offering a comprehensive and high-quality assortment of brand name sporting apparel and equipment at competitive prices. Sports Authority is staffed with experts in all areas of sports and fitness related topics, and strives to be the ultimate "authority," both on and off the field. Whether in the game or cheering from the sidelines, Sports Authority is the leading destination for consumers to fulfill their own sports equipment needs, as well as find their favorite team's apparel. Sports Authority operates more than 460 stores in 45 states, and employs more than 17,000 people nationwide. It also operates stores in Japan under a licensing agreement with AEON Co., Ltd. The company's e-commerce website is located at www.sportsauthority.com. About USA FootballUSA Football, the sport's national governing body, hosts more than 80 football training events annually offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners. The independent non-profit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Association. USA Football manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competition and awards $1 million annually in equipment grants to youth and high school football programs based on merit and need. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football is chaired by former NFL team executive Carl Peterson.