Academy expands Eastern front with four store assault

Academy Sports + Outdoors plans to make a splash in Orlando this spring with the simultaneous opening of four stores.

The $4 billion sporting goods retailer has entered into a multi-year partnership with the Orlando City Soccer Club beginning with the team's inaugural 2015 season.Academy Sports + Outdoors will be the official sporting goods retailer of the Orlando City Soccer Club.

The new stores will be located in Kissimmee, Waterford, Lake Mary and Melbourne and will open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. on March 6. This is the Katy, Texas-based company’s furthest expansion eastward.

"We are thrilled to be less than a month away from showcasing our everyday low prices for the first time to our Central Florida customers," said John Hunewill, Academy Sports + Outdoors vice president of brand marketing. "There's tremendous synergy between our two organizations as we both begin our expansion, and we also believe this reinforces our mutual commitment to the local community."

“Timing is everything and for Academy Sports + Outdoors and our fans, the timing of this partnership just days before our inaugural MLS game on March 8 is ideal," said Orlando City President and Founder Phil Rawlins. "We welcome them to our family of partners and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."

Academy Sports + Outdoors operates 190 stores.