Sports, Inc. founder Don Pfau passed away on April 10, 2025, in Lewistown, MT. He was 97 years old.
Pfau was the architect and one of the founding members of the Sports, Inc. buying group in 1965. In the 60 years since he and six other retailers formed the group, his vision impacted thousands of businesses and people in the active lifestyle industry.
Born in 1927 in Lewistown, Prau’s road to retail started during the Depression when he found numerous ways to make money during the 1930s. He was drafted into the Army in 1945 and served in Korea.
Prau eventually returned to Montana and started a military surplus store in his hometown, which led to Don’s Store, a local sporting goods store owned and operated by three family generations over 70 years old.
Competition with retail box stores motivated Prau to start Sports, Inc., which serves both Outdoor and Team independent dealers today.
Throughout a long and storied life, Prau remained committed to Sports, Inc.’s success and prominence in the sporting goods industry. The group has grown to over 600 from the original seven members, selling billions of dollars in sporting goods from coast to coast.
Prau served as the CEO of Sports, Inc. for 30 years, stepping down in 1995 to become chairman of the Board. He was elected to the Sporting Goods Hall of Fame. Although Prau has not been involved in the business for many years, Sports, Inc. recognizes him as the honorary chairman of the Board.
Image courtesy Sports, Inc.
