Academy Sports + Outdoors to enter Louisville with three stores

Company also signs new multi-year deals with University of Louisville and University of Kentucky

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Jul 08, 2014, 08:00 ET

KATY, Texas, July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Sports + Outdoors (d/b/a Academy), a premier sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer, today announced a third planned Louisville-area store located in Elizabethtown, Ky., scheduled to open in 2015. Academy previously announced stores opening in Louisville and Middletown, which will both open prior to the 2014 holiday season. All three locations were developed in partnership with GBT Realty Corporation.

Academy Sports + Outdoors also announced new multi-year partnerships with both the University of Louisville Cardinals and also the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

"We are thrilled to form new partnerships with two of the most prestigious athletic partners in the state of Kentucky," says Tammi Hysell, Academy Sports + Outdoors' senior director of promotions. "All three of our organizations share a commitment to our community, fans, and their families, and we look forward to providing Cardinals and Wildcats fans everything from team gear to camping, fishing and hunting essentials and more at everyday low prices."

Academy is known throughout the South and Midwest U.S. for its wide selection and everyday low prices on products such as team sports, casual and athletic footwear and apparel, hunting, fishing, camping, patio, bbq, recreation and leisure, golf equipment and apparel along with sports and fitness equipment and gear. The stores will feature sports, outdoor and lifestyle products from top brands such as Nike, adidas, Under Armour, Columbia and much more. Academy is committed to offering the best brands at low prices - everyday. If customers find a lower price elsewhere, Academy will match that advertised price at any of its stores.

"We're thrilled to introduce the Louisville faithful and their families to Academy and their wide selection of fan gear, sports, outdoor and recreation products," said Jason Oxford, Louisville Sports Properties Associate General Manager. "We're excited about the new partnership and want to congratulate Academy on the opening of all three new stores."

Academy Sports + Outdoors is an Official Corporate Partner of Louisville Athletics.

"The University of Kentucky prides itself on its rich tradition and appreciates a company like Academy who shares the same values," said Brian Miller, UK IMG Sports Marketing General Manager. "This partnership demonstrates Academy's commitment to the community, Kentucky Wildcats fans and their families."

Academy Sports + Outdoors is a Proud Partner of Kentucky Athletics.

Prior to the opening of the Louisville and Middletown stores, Academy's first Kentucky location will open in Owensboro in Fall 2014.

Individuals interested in careers at Academy can visit www.academy.com/careers to apply for open positions. Prior to the store opening, customers can shop academy.com, receive the digital version of the weekly ad, engage with Academy through its social media sites, and sign up for email and SMS text alerts.

About Academy Sports + Outdoors
Academy Sports + Outdoors is a premier sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer with a broad assortment of quality hunting, fishing and camping equipment and gear along with sports and leisure products, footwear, apparel and much more. The Texas-based company operates 177 stores throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The Academy Sports + Outdoors philosophy is to deliver an unparalleled shopping experience by providing convenience, offering a broad selection of quality products, delivering exceptional customer service and selling the right stuff at everyday low prices. For more information about Academy Sports + Outdoors visit academy.com, facebook.com/academy, twitter.com/academy, pinterest.com/academy, youtube.com/academy and instagram.com/academy.