BSN Sports, a division of Varsity Brands, announced that it has acquired Shively Sporting Goods, based in Louisville, KY. Shively is liquidating its longtime storefront.
Founded by Bob Flanders in 1968, Shively’s is the largest independent sporting goods dealer in Kentucky. Flanders’ children, Trisha Morrison and Mike Flanders, will join BSN Sports as part of this acquisition along with its Louisville-based sales and customer service teams.
Terry Babilla, BSN Sports’ president, said, “Much like BSN Sports, Shively’s has leveraged customized service, local touch and depth of customer relationships to successfully navigate the evolution of the team Sports market as an industry leader in their region. The Shively name is synonymous with excellence across the board, and we look forward to offering the same personal service supported by our enhanced access to top brand inventory and exclusive digital resources to the growing Louisville market of coaches, athletes, and parents.”
Mike Flanders, President of Shively’s, added, “This is a definite win for our customers, Shively Sporting Goods and BSN Sports and we are looking forward to joining the growing BSN Sports Family. Our 52 years of strong service to athletic directors, coaches and student-athletes along with BSN Sports state of the art technology, expansive inventory and nationwide presence will bring a new breadth of resources to our customers.”
Babilla concluded, “As students, athletes and coaches continue to resume their athletic seasons nationwide, our BSN Sports family is eager to support their local communities through premier product, equipment, and support tools in an effort to revive athletic programs nationwide. As a company, we will continue to strategically grow our team with seasoned professionals who share our values of providing best-in-class service and have a passion for building lifelong customer relationships.”
Photo courtesy Shively Sporting Goods
