Jared Briskin has been promoted to president and CEO of Hibbett. After nearly 27 years of service at the former “small-market operator,” the footwear and sports lifestyle market sees one of the best merchants in the business take the reins of the specialty retailer based in Birmingham, AL.

Briskin, one of the earliest SGB 40 Under 40 Award honorees, posted his understated acknowledgment on LinkedIn on Tuesday, February 4.

“Jared is one of our industry’s great leaders. When I congratulated him on the new post he only wanted to congratulate and talk about and credit the team,” shared Sports Industry Advisor Matt Powell. “His selflessness, combined with his vision and drive are what makes him a great leader.”

Global active lifestyle retail behemoth JD Group acquired Hibbett in July 2024. Briskin, who had been serving as EVP of Merchandising at the time of the sale, was promoted to COO after the sale closed and added the President title shortly thereafter.

Jared worked his way through the ranks of the merchant side of the business over his long tenure at Hibbett. Starting as the retailer’s college apparel buyer in 1998 when the retailer had perhaps 100 doors, to VP/DMM for Apparel & Accessories in June 2004 when Hibbett was just reaching 450 doors and brands like Ecko and Enyce were said to be emerging urban brands for Hibbett and produced less than $100 million in sales the previous quarter. Briskin jumped into the sneaker business in 2010 as VP/DMM for Footwear & Equipment.

Fast forward to September 2014 when Hibbett pushed past the 950 door mark and revenues would reach $200 per quarter. It was just ten years ago, and traditional running was said to be soft with consumers, based on comments made on the company’s fiscal Q2 2014 conference call. They were apparently instead showing interest in lifestyle running silhouettes. Footwear strength reportedly also came from the basketball division that quarter, with high double-digit growth. Nike’s signature products, including Lebron, Kobe and KD “have been very good, and Jordan footwear continues to be excellent,” said the SVP of Merchandising at the time. Briskin was appointed SVP and chief merchant a month later.

Briskin was elevated to the EVP Merchandising role in September 2021.

Images courtesy Hibbett/JD Group and Jared Briskin/LinkedIn