BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS Corp: management transactions · United States · SEC (Form 4)

About BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS Corp

BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS Corp (ticker: BGFV) is a U.S.-listed specialty retailer traded on the NASDAQ in the United States. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, the company operates under the Big 5 Sporting Goods banner and focuses on value-oriented sporting goods, footwear, apparel, and outdoor equipment. Its model is built around traditional neighborhood-format stores of roughly 12,000 square feet, supported by an e-commerce platform, although the business remains primarily store-driven. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001156388/000095017025027520/bgfv-20241229.htm)) The company’s roots go back to 1955, when Miller co-founded the business with the opening of five retail locations in California. That heritage matters from a market-positioning standpoint: Big 5 has long been known as a regional sporting-goods chain with a strong presence in the western United States rather than a national footprint. As of December 29, 2024, the company operated 422 stores, mainly across 11 western states, reinforcing its identity as a concentrated West Coast retailer. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1156388/000095017025027520/bgfv-20241229.htm?utm_source=openai)) From a merchandising perspective, Big 5 offers a broad assortment spanning athletic shoes, apparel and accessories, plus equipment for team sports, fitness, camping, hunting, fishing, home recreation, tennis, golf, and winter and summer recreation. The company carries well-known brands such as adidas, Columbia, New Balance, Skechers, Under Armour, and Wilson, while also using private-label merchandise and opportunistic buys of vendor overstock and close-out inventory. This mix supports a value-led proposition aimed at budget-conscious consumers who still want branded goods. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001156388/000095017025027520/bgfv-20241229.htm)) Competitively, Big 5 operates in a crowded U.S. sporting-goods market with pressure from national chains, big-box retailers, and online competitors. Its differentiation is rooted in regional density, convenience-oriented store locations, and a pricing/value strategy rather than broad national scale. According to the latest annual report, e-commerce sales remained immaterial, which suggests the company has not yet transitioned into a digitally led model. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001156388/000095017025027520/bgfv-20241229.htm)) A major recent development reshaping the investment case is the merger agreement announced on June 29, 2025. Under the SEC filing, Big 5 entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Worldwide Sports Group Holdings LLC, and each share of common stock is expected to be converted into $1.45 in cash, subject to customary closing conditions and shareholder approval. For investors, this is a significant event because it shifts the thesis from stand-alone retail execution to transaction completion risk and deal timing. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1156388/000095017025100037/bgfv-20250629.htm))