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Jun 11, 2025

The Backroom: Breaking down Dick’s Sporting Goods’ deal to acquire Foot Locker | Retail Dive

The team discusses the implications of the surprise acquisition, how Dick’s is defending it and why the stakes could be different for each retailer. Welcome to The Backroom, a window into what goes on

The team discusses the implications of the surprise acquisition, how Dick’s is defending it and why the stakes could be different for each retailer.

Welcome to The Backroom, a window into what goes on behind the scenes as the Retail Dive team covers the stories and trends reshaping retail. You can check out all our podcast episodes (past and present) here and listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and Spotify. ​​

Considering that Dick’s Sporting Goods has been posting strong sales and profit numbers quarter after quarter, while Foot Locker has been mostly limping along, several analysts were surprised when Dick’s announced it would buy its mall-based rival for $2.4 billion. Dick’s executives continued their full-throated defense of the maneuver during their most recent earnings call, which took place after we recorded this episode.

Join Retail Dive Senior Editor Cara Salpini, who covers the sneaker and athletic space as a reporter, and Senior Reporter Daphne Howland as they discuss the implications of this unexpected tie-up.

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Editor’s note: This episode was produced and edited by Caroline Jansen.