Sports Authority to close 19 stores in California; liquidation sales are underway – Los Angeles Times

Sports Authority will close 19 stores in California as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.

The Englewood, Colo.-based sporting goods retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday and said it would close or sell about 140 stores, or nearly one-third of its locations, as well as two distribution centers, one each in Denver and Chicago.

Sports Authority has 463 stores in 41 states and in Puerto Rico.

Store-closing sales began Friday, Sports Authority spokesman Steven Goldberg said in an email. The sales are expected to last several weeks, although their duration will vary by location, he said.

Though Goldberg did not give specifics on the sale prices, “it’s fair to say there are expected to be significant markdowns,” he wrote in an email.

Once the sales are completed, the stores will close.