Who Owns Dick's Sporting Goods Company?

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Who Owns Dick's Sporting Goods?

Dick's Sporting Goods, a retail giant founded in 1948, has a diverse ownership structure. As a publicly traded entity on the NYSE, its shares are held by various stakeholders, reflecting its evolution from a single store to a national presence.

Understanding the ownership of Dick's Sporting Goods is key to analyzing its strategic direction and market influence. With net sales reaching $13.44 billion for the fiscal year ending February 1, 2025, its ownership directly impacts its operations and future growth.

The ownership of Dick's Sporting Goods is primarily distributed among institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company insiders. This broad base of ownership influences corporate governance and strategic decisions. For a deeper look at the competitive landscape, consider a Dick's Sporting Goods Porter's Five Forces Analysis.

The story of Dick's Sporting Goods begins in 1948 with Richard 'Dick' Stack, who, at just 18 years old, launched the business with a $300 loan from his grandmother. This initial venture was a humble bait-and-tackle shop located in Binghamton, New York, born from Stack's entrepreneurial drive after his idea for a fishing gear section was dismissed by his employer.

Founding of the Business

Dick's Sporting Goods was founded in 1948 by Richard 'Dick' Stack. The initial store was a bait-and-tackle shop in Binghamton, New York.

Initial Funding

The business was started with a modest $300 loan provided by Dick Stack's grandmother. This early financial backing was crucial for the startup.

Early Product Focus

The original store primarily focused on fishing gear and bait. This specialization laid the groundwork for its future expansion into broader sporting goods.

Generational Transition

In the early 1980s, Dick Stack's son, Edward W. Stack, along with his siblings, purchased the company. This marked a significant shift in ownership and leadership.

Expansion Under New Leadership

Edward W. Stack, a CPA, joined the company in 1977 and spearheaded its transformation into a chain of superstores. He became CEO in 1984.

Early Ownership Structure

Initially, ownership of Dick's Sporting Goods was entirely within the Stack family. While specific equity details from the very beginning are not public, the family maintained control.

By the late 1970s, the product line had broadened beyond its initial fishing focus. The pivotal moment for Dick's Sporting Goods ownership occurred in the early 1980s when Edward W. Stack, alongside his siblings, acquired the company from their father, Richard 'Dick' Stack. At this juncture, the company operated only two stores in Upstate New York. Edward W. Stack, who had joined the business in 1977, brought a strategic vision for expansion into large superstores. He assumed the roles of chairman and chief executive officer in 1984, following his father's retirement. This leadership transition was instrumental in shaping the company's trajectory, paving the way for its substantial growth and eventual public offering. The foundational ownership of Dick's Sporting Goods was firmly rooted in the Stack family, with Edward W. Stack emerging as the primary architect of its expansion. Understanding the Mission, Vision & Core Values of Dick's Sporting Goods provides context for the family's long-term commitment.

Key Milestones in Early Ownership

The early history of Dick's Sporting Goods ownership is characterized by a family-driven enterprise that evolved significantly over time.

• 1948: Founding of the company by Richard 'Dick' Stack.
• Early 1980s: Acquisition of the company by Edward W. Stack and his siblings.
• 1977: Edward W. Stack joins the business.
• 1984: Edward W. Stack becomes Chairman and CEO.
• The initial ownership was entirely within the Stack family.
• The company transitioned from a small bait-and-tackle shop to a growing sporting goods retailer.

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Dick's Sporting Goods' ownership journey began as a family-run enterprise before its significant transition to a publicly traded entity. This evolution was marked by its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on October 16, 2002, with shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'DKS.' The initial offering price was set at $12.00 per share.

As a publicly traded company, Dick's Sporting Goods' ownership is now distributed among various stakeholders. As of July 2025, institutional investors are the largest group, holding approximately 57.36% of the company's stock. Insiders, which include company executives and directors, own around 21.06%, while public companies and individual investors collectively hold approximately 21.58%. Alternative data points for 2025 indicate institutional ownership at 65.71% and insider ownership at 32.16%, highlighting the dynamic nature of these holdings.

Major Stakeholders in Dick's Sporting Goods

Institutional investors are the dominant force in Dick's Sporting Goods' ownership structure. These entities can significantly influence corporate strategy and stock performance.

• Fmr Llc: Holds 6,236,670 shares as of March 31, 2025.
• Vanguard Group Inc.: Owns 5,850,223 shares as of March 31, 2025.
• BlackRock, Inc.: Possesses 5,798,923 shares as of March 31, 2025.
• Wellington Management Group Llp: Holds 2,829,780 shares as of March 31, 2025.
• State Street Corp: Owns 2,330,080 shares as of March 31, 2025.

Edward W. Stack, son of the founder and former CEO, remains a pivotal individual shareholder. As of 2025, he owns 13.93 million shares, representing a substantial 17.41% stake valued at approximately $2.92 billion. His direct and indirect shareholding as of April 7, 2025, totaled 10,917,347 shares. The Stack family continues to maintain a significant ownership presence. Furthermore, the company employs a dual-class share structure. Class B common stock shareholders are granted 10 votes per share, contrasting with the one vote per share for common stock holders. This structure can consolidate voting power among specific individuals or entities. As of March 21, 2025, there were 56,285,053 shares of common stock and 23,570,633 shares of Class B common stock outstanding, illustrating how this structure can concentrate control even within a publicly traded company. Understanding these ownership dynamics is crucial when analyzing the Competitors Landscape of Dick's Sporting Goods.

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The Board of Directors at Dick's Sporting Goods is responsible for guiding the company's strategic direction and overseeing its management. As of 2025, Edward W. Stack holds the position of Executive Chairman, a role he has been in since 1984. Lauren R. Hobart is the President and Chief Executive Officer, taking on the CEO role in February 2021.

The voting power within Dick's Sporting Goods is structured through a dual-class share system. Holders of common stock receive one vote per share, while Class B common stock holders are granted ten votes per share. This structure significantly concentrates voting power, with Edward W. Stack, as of April 7, 2025, directly and indirectly owning 10,917,347 shares, including 2,500,000 shares of Class B common stock. This ownership means the company is considered a 'controlled company' under New York Stock Exchange rules, with key insiders, particularly the Stack family, holding substantial influence over corporate decisions, including director elections. The board's director nominations are presented annually, with current terms expiring at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Understanding this ownership structure is key to grasping the Growth Strategy of Dick's Sporting Goods.

Understanding Voting Power

The dual-class share system at Dick's Sporting Goods grants disproportionate voting power to Class B shareholders.

• Class B shareholders have 10 votes per share compared to 1 vote per share for common stock.
• This structure allows for concentrated control by a select group of shareholders.
• Edward W. Stack is identified as the largest individual shareholder with significant voting power.
• Stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, further centralizing influence.

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Recent financial performance and strategic capital allocation have influenced the ownership profile of Dick's Sporting Goods. The company reported consolidated net sales of $13.44 billion for the full year ended February 1, 2025, marking a 3.5% increase from the prior year.

The company has been actively returning value to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. A new five-year share repurchase program of up to $3 billion was authorized on March 10, 2025. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the company repurchased 428,000 shares for $98 million and paid $89 million in dividends. Furthermore, a 10% increase in the quarterly dividend for 2025 was announced, continuing an 11-year streak of dividend increases.

Insider Ownership Trends

Edward W. Stack remains the largest individual shareholder. While insider sales occur, such as CEO Lauren R. Hobart's sale of 40,166 shares for over $8.2 million on June 27, 2025, these are typical executive transactions. Insiders' collective holdings saw a slight decrease to 14.25% in April 2025.

Institutional Investor Holdings

Institutional investors' stake in the company remained largely stable, holding approximately 76.43% as of April 2025. This indicates a consistent level of investment from large financial entities.

Strategic Growth Investments

The company is significantly investing in its physical and digital infrastructure. In 2024, seven House of Sport and 15 Dick's Field House locations were opened, with plans for approximately 16 and 18 additional locations respectively in 2025. The goal is to reach 75 to 100 House of Sport locations by 2027.

Market Position and Shareholder Value

These strategic real estate and digital enhancements aim to expand market share in the U.S. sports retail sector, where the company currently holds nearly 9% market share, an increase of about 50 basis points. For more on how the company generates revenue, see this article on its revenue streams and business model.

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