Modell’s To Take Over A Former Sports Authority Store After All

Back when Sports Authority filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, regional chain Modell’s reportedly wanted a piece of the business being abandoned. The chain briefly considered teaming up with a British sports retailer to take over some stores. The deal didn’t work out, and Modell’s didn’t bid on any store leases in the bankruptcy auction, either. However, the chain will now be opening a showcase store in what used to be Sports Authority’s last store in Manhattan.

Modell’s is a sporting goods chain in the New York metropolitan area, perhaps best known, even to people who don’t live outside of the area but who might have watched a Yankees game or two, for its insidious earworm of a jingle.

Modell’s ended up with the Manhattan lease after the country’s largest sporting goods chain, Dick’s, decided not to open a store there. Dick’s bid on some of the store leases in the Sports Authority bankruptcy auction, but gave this one up, and the landlord approached Modell’s with the property.

The chain signed a 10-year lease on what CEO Mitchell Modell says will be a flagship store, with “expanded men’s and women’s assortments.”

Modell’s moving into old Sports Authority digs [NY Post]