Hibbett Sports names new CEO

The former CEO of City Gear is now running a much larger company.

Hibbett Sports has named Michael E. Longo as president and CEO, effective December 16. He succeeds Jeff Rosenthal, a 21-company veteran who earlier this year announced his planned retirement. Longo will also replace Rosenthal on the company’s board.

Longo served as CEO for Memphis-based City Gear, which he established in 2006 and where he oversaw the successful acquisition of the company in 2018 by Hibbett Sports. City Gear operates as a subsidiary of Hibbett and continues to be led by existing members of its senior management team.

Prior to City Gear, Longo worked in positions of increasing leadership roles with AutoZone, starting as a VP in 1996 to executive VP in 2005.

 “We have had the opportunity to work with Mike over the last year as president of City Gear,” said  Anthony F. Crudele, chairman, Hibbett Sports. “Given Mike’s extensive retail industry and leadership experience, we believe he is uniquely qualified to help strengthen Hibbett’s leadership position in both the customer experience and the active footwear and apparel industry. Mike has a demonstrated track record for assessing evolving consumer and customer trends and needs and managing with an eye toward not only the short-term, but the long-term as well.”

Hibbett Sports, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, operates approximately 1,100 stores under the Hibbett Sports and City Gear banners, primarily located in small and mid-sized communities.