sports authority gift cards still good: The Short Answer
Sports Authority, once the goto name in U.S. sporting goods retail, closed all stores in 2016 after bankruptcy. Since then, sports authority gift cards are no longer valid for redemption—anywhere. No successor retailer (including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, or others) has chosen to honor them for merchandise, store credit, or cash equivalent.
If you stumble across a Sports Authority gift card, understand that its value is now sentimental only; there is no path to use it in stores or online.
Why Did Sports Authority Gift Cards Expire?
When a retailer liquidates under bankruptcy, gift cards are considered unsecured debt. The company typically notifies consumers of a short, final window to use existing cards—which for Sports Authority ended with store closure in 2016. After this, those liabilities expire. No legal framework obligates new ownership or different retailers to assume responsibility for old gift card balances. This is true even for unused “blank” cards circulating after the closure.
What if a Site, Store, or Seller Offers to Redeem Your Card?
Unfortunately, offers to exchange or “cash out” a Sports Authority card are always scams. No online merchant, sports retailer, or secondary gift card marketplace recognizes the cards as valid. The answer to “are sports authority gift cards still good” is a firm no—avoid any exchange or reseller promising otherwise.
Can You Get a Refund or Transfer Value?
Refunds were only possible during a brief bankruptcy claims period (2016), during which unused gift card values were treated as unsecured creditor claims. In rare cases, gift card holders might have received pennies on the dollar, if anything. After this window, and with the full dissolution of Sports Authority, there is no option for cash refund.
If you purchased a Sports Authority card from a thirdparty after the closure, there is no legal recourse for a refund.
How to Avoid Useless Gift Cards
Buy only from strong, national retailers or reputable sporting goods stores still in business (e.g., Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports + Outdoors, REI, Cabela’s). Register your card, if possible—many stores offer online balance lookup and replacement for lost cards. Use your card soon after receiving it. Treat cards as shortterm, not indefinite, credit. Never purchase gift cards for stores rumored to be closing or in financial trouble.
Signs to Watch for in the Gift Card Market
Overly discounted cards for defunct chains are never bargains. Never trust resale sites or marketplaces (eBay, Facebook, Craigslist) pushing Sports Authority cards; these are worthless. Watch for expiration dates, inactivity fees, and other hidden costs, though these are limited by federal law on active cards.
What to Do With Old Sports Authority Cards
Upcycle as keychains, bag tags, or bookmarks. Save as “teaching moments” for family or kids about the risks of unused gift cards. Use as inspiration to check balances on all wallet or drawer gift cards before shopping.
Safer Sports Gift Cards: What Works Now
Choose cards from retail chains with a robust online and physical presence:
Dick’s Sporting Goods: Can be used online or instore, never expires. REI: Perfect for outdoor sports lovers, also dualuse for travel gear. Academy Sports + Outdoors: Strong regional brand, reliable distribution. Amazon or Visa/Mastercard gift cards: Wide acceptance, not limited to a single store.
Always encourage recipients to redeem cards soon after receipt.
Legal Protections (and Their Limits)
Federal law limits expiration and fees for most active gift cards, but offers no help for defunct chain cards or bankruptcy. The golden rule: treat each card as real money—spend rather than store, especially for singlebrand retailers.
The Lesson: Discipline in Gifting
Be proactive, not passive, when gifting cards: Check store health. Read reviews and retail news. Register cards and track balances. Spend early, not “someday.”
For Businesses and Organizations
Never buy Sports Authority cards for incentives or promotions—audience trust depends on providing valid, redeemable value. For large orders, confirm card validity and expiration with the retailer’s corporate department.
Final Thoughts
Gift cards from defunct retailers are cautionary tales for modern shoppers. Sports authority gift cards still good? They are not—and haven’t been since 2016. Keep your giving disciplined: buy cards only from thriving, reputable retailers, urge recipients to spend promptly, and avoid the growing trap of reseller scams. In giftgiving, as in sports, the best defense is constant awareness and smart, deliberate moves. Choose cards with a future—and leave nostalgia (and useless plastic) in the past.