Are Sports Authority Gift Cards Still Good?
Short answer: No. Sports Authority, once one of the leading U.S. sporting goods retailers, filed for bankruptcy in 2016 and closed all locations. By summer 2016, all stores were gone—and so, too, was any path to gift card redemption. At final liquidation, Sports Authority announced a short window for using existing gift card balances at stores. After closure, all liabilities—including gift cards—expired along with the brand itself.
If you find a card at home or receive one as a handmedown, the first (“sports authority gift cards still good”) truth is tough: those cards are worthless, regardless of value at purchase.
How Gift Card Validity Works in Retail Closures
Gift cards are classified as unsecured debt in bankruptcy. Unless a buyer of the failing chain specifically agrees to honor them, or the new owner absorbs liabilities, cards lose their value when liquidation ends. Some companies do briefly honor previous brand’s cards if they acquire assets, but that wasn’t the case with Sports Authority. Dick’s Sporting Goods, Modell’s, Academy, and other sporting goods stores have never accepted Sports Authority cards.
What Should You Do With an Old Sports Authority Gift Card?
Don’t spend time trying to use it. No active retailer or online merchant will take the card. Don’t try to sell or redeem it on gift card marketplaces. These are now scams, since “sports authority gift cards still good” is a myth. Recycle the card or keep it as a reminder. For personal use, the card can be upcycled into a bag tag, keychain, or a teaching tool about the risks of store gift cards.
Safer Gift Card Purchases Today
Given closures and shifting branding, choose carefully:
Stick with strong national/regional chains (Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, REI, Cabela’s/Bass Pro, or bigbox stores like Target and Walmart). Buy cards close to gifting time and encourage recipients to use them soon. Register cards if possible for balance tracking and loss recovery. Keep paper receipt or econfirmation. Some stores replace lost cards with proof.
What Gift Cards Are Safe Now?
Look for stable sports retailer cards—these are currently valid:
Dick’s Sporting Goods: Usable in stores and online, with no expiration or fees. REI: Good for gear and classes; easy to use online and in stores. Academy Sports + Outdoors: Large Southern/Midwestern chain; card is valid, no fees, no expiration. Cabela’s/Bass Pro: Interchangeable cards, large and stable. Amazon.com: Not just sporting goods, but their sports selection is vast and returns easy.
Mistakes to Avoid
Buying discounted “Sports Authority” or similar defunct retailer cards online. These are worthless. Ignoring headlines or market turmoil. Before buying any brand card, be sure the chain is not at risk. Waiting years to use the value. Even the strongest chains can falter.
Frequently Asked Gift Card Questions
Can state laws force old retailers or new buyers to honor expired cards? Rarely; bankruptcy rules override statespecific gift card regulations. Can I get money back from anywhere? Almost never—gift card holders are last in line in bankruptcy court, after landlords, suppliers, and employees. What if a liquidator claims to accept Sports Authority cards? Avoid these scams—no valid process exists as of now.
What to Do With Unwanted or Expired Gift Cards
Donate active gift cards to youth clubs, schools, or local charities if you won’t use them. Use physical cards in crafts or for kids’ activities. Keep a list of active balances so you don’t lose out in the next closing.
The “Sports Authority” Lesson for Smart Gifting
Gift cards are only as good as the underlying company. The durable rules:
Buy from trusted, current, and visible retailers. Avoid “stockpiling”—encourage use soon after gifting. Register and track balances online when possible. Watch for industry news (bankruptcies, mergers, rebranding).
If you’re still wondering are sports authority gift cards still good—no, but with discipline, your next purchase or gift can avoid the same mistake.
Final Thoughts
Sports retailer gift cards are still a useful, appreciated gift when bought judiciously. Sports Authority cards, however, are now only valuable as teaching moments or unused plastic. In today’s market, vigilance over brand stability and a focus on timely redemption make all the difference. The lesson is simple: treat every card as a shortterm promise, not a longterm bank account. Spend it confidently, or risk letting it slip into the same fate as Sports Authority—vanished and unrecoverable.