Academy Sports + Outdoors Announces Partnerships with L.L.Bean, Fanatics

KATY, TEXAS (August 30, 2023) – Just in time for fall, L.L.Bean and Academy Sports + Outdoors have partnered to offer customers a selection of L.L.Bean products in-store and online. Curated around the shared joy of the outdoors, Academy will carry a wide assortment of L.L.Bean’s renowned, high-quality products, including polos, backpacks, men’s and women’s apparel, and the iconic Bean Boots. The new offering ensures everyone can enjoy the great outdoors in style and comfort.

“Academy Sports + Outdoors is dedicated to making quality sporting goods and lifestyle brands accessible to our customers for their sports and outdoors passions,” said Matt McCabe, Academy Sports + Outdoors’ Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer. “By adding L.L.Bean to our in-store and online assortment, we’re growing the opportunity for more customers to get outside and have more fun.”

By teaming with L.L.Bean, Academy is expanding its product offering to provide customers with even more options to comfortably enjoy their favorite activities. This partnership allows customers to easily access L.L.Bean’s renowned quality and craftsmanship, combined with Academy’s commitment to providing “Fun for All.”

“For L.L.Bean, there is no better place to spend time and have fun than the great outdoors,” said Greg Elder, L.L.Bean’s Chief Retail Officer. “We are thrilled to partner with Academy Sports + Outdoors and believe this collaboration allows even greater access to our quality outdoor gear and apparel.”

Academy and Fanatics also announced an expanded partnership focused on enhancing the assortment of officially licensed merchandise available to Academy customers both in-store and online. As a result of the partnership, Academy shoppers will have access to a wider breadth of fan shop products that are new to Academy.

The partnership will provide Academy the opportunity to tap into Fanatics’ licensed sports inventory to give shoppers an even broader selection of fan apparel, jerseys, headwear, and novelty items for the whole family from portfolio brands such as Fanatics, Nike, adidas, Mitchell & Ness, New Era, WinCraft and more.

“Academy Sports + Outdoors is excited to partner with Fanatics to expand out our licensed sports assortment and provide our customers with an even better selection of gear to show off their team pride,” McCabe said. “Sports fans know they can rely on Academy for the best gear and prices. By teaming up with Fanatics, our customers will be able to browse an even wider assortment to make sure every member of the family has the gear they want at the right price.”

This fall, shoppers visiting academy.com will have access to a significant portion of Fanatics’ industry-leading licensed sports merchandise assortment, featuring teams and players from various leagues and sports properties, beginning with NCAA and expanding into other leagues as their seasons approach.

“Fanatics is excited to provide an incredible selection of high-quality fan gear from our leading product catalogue to Academy customers, whether they are shopping online or at stores,” said Gary Gertzog, Fanatics President of Business Affairs. “We’re committed to providing robust assortments of timely products to fans across all channels, and this partnership will allow more fans across the country to support the teams and players they love throughout the year.”

Academy Sports + Outdoors is a member of the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA).