Sports Authority CEO retires from daily ops

Englewood, Colo. The Sports Authority announced Wednesday that its CEO and chairman Doug Morton will be retiring his CEO duties.

According to the retailer, Morton, age 59, will remain chairman of the board.

A 22-year veteran of Sports Authority, Morton doesn’t yet have a successor; the board has retained Herbert Mines Associates to conduct a comprehensive internal and external executive search to identify a replacement CEO.

Until a replacement has been identified, the company said it will be operated by an interim Executive Operating Committee consisting of president/CMO David Campisi, chief administrative officer/CFO Tom Hendrickson and COO Greg Waters.

"Doug has been the driving force in growing Sports Authority from a small regional chain to a national powerhouse. He has been one of Leonard Green & Partners' most trusted and valued management partners for the past fifteen years. We respect Doug's decision at this time to step back from day-to-day operations and we look forward to his continued involvement as Chairman," said Jonothan Sokoloff, managing partner, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., parent.

Sports Authority operates 465 stores in 45 states.