| Academy sports | | | | Academy Sports & Outdoors operates the fourth |
| Academy Sports & Outdoors is near the head of | | | | largest chain of retail sporting goods "megastore" |
| the class among sporting goods retailers. The | | | | outlets in the United States. In 1999, it had 35 |
| company is one of the top full-line sporting goods | | | | stores in Texas, three in Oklahoma, two in |
| chains in the US with more than 100 stores in | | | | Alabama, three in Louisiana, and one in Florida. The |
| about a dozen states throughout the South and | | | | majority of these are "superstores," ranging from |
| Southwest. Academy's low-frills stores carry | | | | 35,000 to 50,000 square feet in size. In them, |
| clothing, shoes, and equipment for almost any | | | | Academy carries an extensive line of name-brand |
| sport and outdoor activity, including camping, golf, | | | | equipment and clothing and shoes for competitive |
| hunting, fishing, and boating. The company, which | | | | sports, physical fitness training, and outdoor |
| also operates a catalog and e-commerce | | | | recreational activities such as camping, hunting, |
| operation, dates back to a San Antonio tire shop | | | | fishing, and boating. Included among its name |
| opened by Max Gochman in 1938. The business | | | | brands are Champion, Jantzen, Justin, K-Swiss, |
| moved into military surplus items and during the | | | | Nike, Reebok, Rollerblade, Spalding, and Wrangler. |
| 1980s began focusing on sports and outdoor | | | | Academy's company headquarters are located in |
| merchandise. The Gochman family still owns | | | | Katy, Texas, a suburb of Houston, where it also |
| Academy. | | | | owns a large warehouse used for effective |
| Privately owned by the Gochman family, | | | | inventory control and distribution. |