As an editor who chronicled the rise and fall of TSA in the 1990s and into the 21st century I had a love-hate relationship with Jack. (I loved all of the news he generated, but hated how hard it was to get until they went public late in the game; Jack hated any negative coverage of him and any positive coverage of his competitors.) While one of the magazines I worked for, Sportstyle, in 1994 voted Smith number two among the top 100 Most Influential People in the Sporting Goods Industry (I seem to recall Phil Knight was number one, but I can’t be sure), Jack wasn’t always the most responsive or appreciative subject of our coverage.
But he was always an interesting subject.
I clearly recall sitting in his office in Fort Lauderdale sometime in the mid-1990s – a time when you would walk in the lobby and TSA’s stock price was proudly displayed on a board by the receptionist; that sign disappeared by the next time I visited, but that’s a story for another time – and Jack received a call from his friend/nemesis Mitch Modell, of Modell Sporting Goods. In that five-minute call they made some extravagant bet on some upcoming game – I don’t recall the exact amount, but it was more than a young trade magazine editor made in a month. Man, this guy was riding high, I thought.
According to a release from the NSGA upon learning of his passing, just 18 months after opening his first Sports Authority the business had grown to eight stores and Smith sold it for $75 million. He stayed on as CEO for the next five years as Sports Authority grew to 150 locations. He eventually re-acquired the company and in 2010, the business generated over $3.5 billion in annual sales and had 330 stores in the United States.
As we all know now, it didn’t last and a series of circumstances and acquisitions saw TSA finally go out of business. On March 2, 2016, Sports Authority filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the case was converted to Chapter 7 a few months later. On May 18, 2016, the company's stores were sold to a group of liquidators and all of the stores closed by the end of August 2016.
In a final twist of fate, Smith was inducted into the Sporting Goods Hall of Fame in May of that year, making it a bit uncomfortable for the man being honored at a time when his greatest accomplishment was going out of business. During his lengthy Hall of Fame acceptance speech at the NSGA Management Conference – a speech interrupted only by Curt Mueller loudly asking him to wrap it up – Smith finally detailed the story of TSA’s growth and demise. It was quite a tale.
Oh, if only he had told that same story years earlier to a trade magazine editor eager to document one of the most important sporting goods business stories of our time. Nevertheless, Jack Smith’s vision does live on in the malls across America where huge Dick’s, REI’s and Scheels now reside. I admired the man and what he accomplished and the industry is arguably better for his vision.
Here is the official press release from the NSGA:
Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Famer,
Former NSGA Board Chairman Jack Smith Passes Away
Jack Smith was a visionary who turned Sports Authority into one of the biggest sporting goods retail brands in the world. Smith also served the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) as Chairman of the Board and was inducted into Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 2016. NSGA was saddened to learn recently of Smith’s passing on March 20 at 88.
Smith saw Sports Authority grow from one store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1987 to nearly 400 locations in the United States and Japan in 2010. He was a member of the NSGA Board of Directors for more than eight years and was the Board Chairman from 1997-99.
“Mr. Smith was one of the iconic figures of our industry and he had a phenomenal career in retail,” said Matt Carlson, NSGA President & CEO. “He was a tremendous leader, not only for the companies he worked for, but also for the entire industry through his service on the NSGA Board. It was great to see him honored with his induction into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.
“Mr. Smith’s loss will be felt by many people and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.”
Smith was raised in West Philadelphia, PA, and began his storied retail career with Singer Sewing Machines in the early 1960s. He would also work for Sears, Roebuck & Co., Montgomery Ward, Jefferson Department Stores and W.R. Grace.
Smith was the Chief Operating Officer of Herman’s Sporting Goods. He tried unsuccessfully to bring the comprehensive megastore concept that fueled the tremendous growth of Home Depot and Toys “R” Us to the sporting goods industry at Herman’s. He got another opportunity with the backing of a group of venture capitalists to build a sporting goods giant through the concepts of an unparalleled selection, competitive pricing and merchandise always in stock.
Just 18 months after opening his first Sports Authority, the business had grown to eight stores and Smith sold it for $75 million. He stayed on as CEO for the next five years as Sports Authority grew to 150 locations. He eventually re-acquired the company and in 2010, the business generated over $3.5 billion in annual sales and had 330 stores in the United States.
Smith created his successful business with people who believed in his mission and by thinking differently, not just in size and price, but in almost every dimension. He was loyal to his employees and prided himself on the fact he frequently visited every store so employees knew what was expected of them.
In 1994, SportStyle Magazine voted Smith No. 2 among the top 100 Most Influential People in the Sporting Goods Industry. He retired as CEO in 2000 and moved to help other businesses reach the same level of success he achieved. Smith sat on the board of directors for Darden Restaurants, Inc., Fiesta Restaurant Group, Carrols Restaurant Group and Beverages & More.
One of Smith’s biggest accomplishments was his family as he and his wife Anita of 67 years had four children. Smith was a lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan and a big thrill was attending the final games of their 1980 and 2008 World Series championships with his son Howard. Jack was preceded in death by Anita on October 8, 2023 and their children Donna, Robin and Randi. Jack and Anita had 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held for Jack Smith on March 24 in Hollywood, FL.
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