City Sports
Encyclopedia
City Sports is an American
sporting goods
retailer operating mostly on the east coast
of the United States
. Its chief products include athletic apparel
, footwear, and equipment
. Founded in 1983 by Mike Kennedy and Eric Martin, two Boston locals, the company has grown across state borders and now operates eighteen stores in six states.
High school friends and tennis partners Mike Kennedy and Eric Martin were living and working in the city and were frequently unable to find quality branded sporting goods merchandise in a single downtown location to satisfy their year-round athletic interests. Frustrated with their lack of success in finding the appropriate gear, they opened the first City Sports location on Massachusetts Avenue and began selling quality sporting goods merchandise with an emphasis on running and racquet sports.
Over 28 years later, City Sports has grown into an award winning specialty sports retailer in metropolitan locations along the east coast. The company now operates eighteen stores across six states (Massachusetts
, New York
, Rhode Island
, Pennsylvania
, Maryland
, and Georgia
) and Washington, D.C.
.
In addition to the core "City Sports” running, yoga, swimming and racquet sport products, City Sports also offers an appropriate presentation of traditional team sports, sports-style and market specific licensed goods.
, an investment firm. Highland purchased an 80% stake in the company, and plans to nearly triple the number of stores to 50 within the next five years. Ultimately, Highland estimates the business has the potential to grow to around 300 stores across the United States
. Both parties declined to release financial details of the deal.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sporting goods
Sports equipment
Sports equipment is a general term for any object used for sport or exercise. Examples of sports equipment include:-Exercise equipment:Examples for exercise include swiss balls, weights, equipment for the gym...
retailer operating mostly on the east coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its chief products include athletic apparel
Sportswear
Sportswear or activewear is clothing, including footwear, worn for sport or physical exercise. Sport-specific clothing is worn for most sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons....
, footwear, and equipment
Sports equipment
Sports equipment is a general term for any object used for sport or exercise. Examples of sports equipment include:-Exercise equipment:Examples for exercise include swiss balls, weights, equipment for the gym...
. Founded in 1983 by Mike Kennedy and Eric Martin, two Boston locals, the company has grown across state borders and now operates eighteen stores in six states.
History
November, 1983 - BostonHigh school friends and tennis partners Mike Kennedy and Eric Martin were living and working in the city and were frequently unable to find quality branded sporting goods merchandise in a single downtown location to satisfy their year-round athletic interests. Frustrated with their lack of success in finding the appropriate gear, they opened the first City Sports location on Massachusetts Avenue and began selling quality sporting goods merchandise with an emphasis on running and racquet sports.
Over 28 years later, City Sports has grown into an award winning specialty sports retailer in metropolitan locations along the east coast. The company now operates eighteen stores across six states (Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
) and Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
Products
City Sports blends premium brands with authentic niche products that have limited distribution.In addition to the core "City Sports” running, yoga, swimming and racquet sport products, City Sports also offers an appropriate presentation of traditional team sports, sports-style and market specific licensed goods.
Highland Acquisition
On March 11, 2008, the company announced it had been acquired by the Highland Consumer Fund, a subsidiary of Highland Capital PartnersHighland Capital Partners
Highland Capital Partners is a venture capital firm that focuses on investments in seed, early, and growth stage companies in the communications, consumer, digital media, healthcare, and information technology sectors. The firm's partners include: Peter Bell, Sean Dalton, Bob Davis, Richard de...
, an investment firm. Highland purchased an 80% stake in the company, and plans to nearly triple the number of stores to 50 within the next five years. Ultimately, Highland estimates the business has the potential to grow to around 300 stores across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Both parties declined to release financial details of the deal.