What Happened to Sports Authority?
Sports Authority, once the largest sporting goods retailer in the United States, filed for bankruptcy in 2016 and closed all of its stores. Parent company assets were acquired by other retailers or liquidators, and the familiar red, white, and black branding vanished from malls and strip centers nationwide.
Sports Authority Gift Cards Still Good? The Short Answer
The brutal truth: sports authority gift cards are no longer valid at any retail location or affiliated online store. With the company liquidated and no buyer assuming liability for outstanding gift card balances, these cards generally have no cash value and cannot be redeemed through Sports Authority or any related entity.
Why Are Sports Authority Gift Cards No Longer Accepted?
Under U.S. bankruptcy law, when a retailer is fully liquidated and ceases operations, existing gift cards become unsecured claims in the bankruptcy process. Unless a buyer acquires the brand and explicitly chooses to honor outstanding cards (which did not happen in Sports Authority’s case), the cards lose their redeemable value.
Sports Authority informed consumers at the time that cards would be accepted only until locations closed in 2016. After that, the window closed, and so did the possibility of redemption.
Could Another Retailer Have Accepted Them?
At bankruptcy, sometimes other big brands (like Dick’s Sporting Goods or Modell’s) will purchase racks, stores, or the company name, and in rare cases, issue their own cards for a window of time. This was not the case for Sports Authority. No national retailer stepped in to honor sports authority gift cards still good, even temporarily.
What If I Just Found a Card?
If you recently found an old card and wonder, “Are sports authority gift cards still good because I never used it?” the answer, unfortunately, remains no. The liquidation process ended years ago, and customer claims for store credit or unused gift card balance have long since expired.
Can You Get a Refund or Claim Value?
The bankruptcy process allowed consumers to file claims for gift card balances, but nearly all of these claims went unpaid or were settled at pennies on the dollar as part of a larger creditor pool. The deadline for these filings has passed.
In most states, consumer protection laws do not require companies to honor gift cards after full bankruptcy liquidation, nor do they obligate successors to accept them.
Avoiding the Pitfall: Buying Gift Cards for Defunct Retailers
Thousands of sports authority gift cards are still for sale on secondary markets, thrift stores, and online auctions. Avoid these entirely. Buying or gifting these cards today means losing your money—there are no exceptions. Before buying any secondhand or “discount” gift card, always research whether the retailer actually exists and accepts old cards.
What If a Card Claims to Be Redeemable?
Some people have reported finding corporatebranded Sports Authority gift cards that appear valid (with bar codes, scratchoff PINs, etc.). These are simply the vestiges of an old system—without a centralized database or any active register, there’s nothing and no one to accept or read the value.
Where Can You Use Sports Authority Gift Cards Now?
You can’t. No currentstore, online platform, or retail chain accepts these cards. This applies to both physical cards and any unspent egift balances. SportsAuthority.com now redirects to another retailer and does not honor cards.
What Happens With “Sports Authority” Branded Locations?
Some buildings or franchises were taken over by other sports retailers or discount chains, but no successor assumed responsibility for legacy gift cards. Even if the sign outside looks familiar, your sports authority gift cards still aren’t good.
Alternatives and Redemption for Old Gift Cards
If you have leftover cards, consider:
Contacting your local consumer protection agency: They can confirm the defunct status and may direct largedollarvalue holders to legal resources, but success is unlikely. Repurposing cards: Old cards can be used for crafts, bag tags, or as a learning opportunity for kids about the risks of retail bankruptcy and the changing landscape of shopping.
The Broader Lesson: Gift Card Safety
Only buy cards for active, stable retailers—especially if you don’t use them quickly. Check for bankruptcy rumors or closing signs before purchase. Register cards (when possible) and track balances; unused cards are like cash, with even fewer protections in a retail collapse.
Final Thoughts
Sports Authority gift cards still good? The answer is a clear, definitive no. Once a retail giant, the company’s assets and systems have vanished, and no national brand has stepped in to accept the liability of old cards. If you find one today, treat it as a memory, not a currency. Next time you buy or receive a gift card, move fast, research the retailer, and aim to spend before circumstances can change. In the retail world, even seemingly solid brands can disappear, but your money shouldn’t.