DICK'S Sporting Goods Launches Sports Matter Green Shoelace Movement To Support Youth Sports Nationwide

Dexter Fowler, Jennie Finch, Isaiah Thomas and others have joined the sporting goods retailer to support the sale of green laces with two dollars from every purchase going to The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation's Sports Matter program

News provided by

DICK'S Sporting Goods

Nov 21, 2016, 11:10 ET

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DICK'S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer, announced today the launch of a Sports Matter green shoelace movement as part of its fight against the youth sports funding crisis.

Billions of dollars have been cut from youth sports funding in recent years and 27% of U.S. public high schools may not have any sports programs by 2020⁽¹⁾. DICK'S and The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation have pledged more than $50 million to support teams and raise awareness of this issue since 2014, and to date, have helped nearly 2,000 youth sports teams.

Those who want to be part of the movement to help save youth sports can purchase Sports Matter green shoelaces at any DICK'S store nationwide or on dicks.com. DICK'S will donate two dollars from every shoelace sale to The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation's Sports Matter program, which is dedicated to helping to save underfunded youth sports programs. Laces are available in oval and flat varieties and in various lengths.

Customers can show their support socially as well by taking a picture of their casual or athletic shoes or cleats laced up with green shoelaces and use #SaveYouthSports.

"At DICK'S, we know the holiday season is a special time of year where people are inspired to make a difference," said Lauren Hobart, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, DICK'S Sporting Goods and President of The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation. "This holiday, we want to give our customers a meaningful way to feel like they're part of something bigger – part of the movement that we're leading to fight the youth sports funding crisis in our country."

In addition to purchasing green laces, customers can also be a part of this movement by donating to The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation when checking-out in-store during the holiday season now through January 8. All money donated will help to raise awareness for and support underfunded youth sports programs. For more information, visit SportsMatter.org.

To highlight the benefits of youth sports for kids across the country, DICK'S has profiled the Fifth Ward Saints football organization located in the Fifth Ward outside of Houston, Texas in a short film. The film shows the importance of football in the lives of generations of Houston-area kids. As a surprise, the film ends with The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation donating a $100,000 grant, including new equipment, as a gift that matters to these kids. The grant will ensure the program is able to operate through the year 2020. To view the film, please visit SportsMatter.com/greenlaces.

DICK'S Community program is also partnering with 10 youth organizations this holiday season. Young athletes from these organizations will get to shop with local sports heroes and receive the Sports Matter shoelaces to join the green shoelace movement. Cam Newton, Larry Fitzgerald and Joe Thomas are among the athletes who may participate in these special holiday shopping events.

Source:(1) Up2Us Sports

About DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.

Founded in 1948, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of October 29, 2016, the Company operated more than 675 DICK'S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated associates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops dedicated to Team Sports, Athletic Apparel, Golf, Lodge/Outdoor, Fitness and Footwear. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK'S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream, True Runner and Chelsea Collective specialty stores and DICK'S Team Sports HQ, an all-in-one youth sports digital platform with free registration, website and mobile app capabilities, custom uniforms and FanWear shops as well as access to donations and sponsorships. DICK'S offers its products through a content-rich eCommerce platform that is integrated with its store network and provides customers with the convenience and expertise of a 24-hour storefront. For more information, visit the Press Room or Investor Relations pages at dicks.com.

About The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation. It was created by DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. as a private corporate foundation to support DICK'S charitable and philanthropic activities.

Contact: DICK'S Sporting Goods – [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140109/NY43530LOGO-a

SOURCE DICK'S Sporting Goods