1.
to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 15, 2025 (such agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, we refer to as the “merger agreement”), by and among Foot Locker, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (which we refer to as “DICK’S Sporting Goods”) and RJS Sub LLC, a New York limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods (which we refer to as “Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the merger agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Foot Locker (which we refer to as the “merger”), with Foot Locker continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods (which we refer to as the “merger agreement proposal”); 2.
to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Foot Locker’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger (which we refer to as the “merger-related compensation proposal”); and | 3.
| to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal (which we refer to as the “adjournment proposal”). |
The accompanying proxy statement/prospectus provides a detailed description of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and also describes the proposals listed above in more detail. A summary of the merger agreement is included in the proxy statement/prospectus in the sections entitled “The Merger” and “The Merger Agreement,” and a copy of the merger agreement is attached as Annex A, each of which are incorporated by reference into this notice to the same extent as if fully set forth herein. Please carefully review the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety, including the merger agreement and the other annexes and documents included in, or incorporated by reference into, the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus. You are encouraged to read the entire proxy statement/prospectus carefully before voting. In particular, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20. The Foot Locker board of directors unanimously (i) determined that the terms of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, Foot Locker and its shareholders, (ii) determined that it is in the best interests of Foot Locker and its shareholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into the merger agreement and to consummate the merger, (iii) approved the execution and delivery by Foot Locker of the merger agreement and the performance by Foot Locker of its agreements and obligations thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, (iv) directed that the merger agreement be submitted to a vote at the special meeting and (v) resolved to recommend that the Foot Locker shareholders vote in favor of adoption of the merger agreement. The Foot Locker board of directors unanimously recommends that Foot Locker shareholders vote “FOR” the merger agreement proposal and “FOR” each of the other proposals listed above and described in more detail in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus. The Foot Locker board of directors has fixed the close of business on July 7, 2025 as the record date for determination of Foot Locker shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of record of Foot Locker common stock as of the close of
TABLE OF CONTENTS business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting. As of the record date, DICK’S Sporting Goods owned and is entitled to vote 4,269,998 shares of Foot Locker common stock, or approximately 4.47% of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES THAT YOU OWN. The merger cannot be completed unless the merger agreement proposal is approved by the affirmative vote, virtually or by proxy, of holders of at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock entitled to vote thereon. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, is required to approve the merger-related compensation proposal and the adjournment proposal. Whether or not you expect to participate in the special meeting, Foot Locker urges you to submit a proxy to have your shares voted as promptly as possible either: (1) via the Internet at proxyvote.com (see proxy card for instructions); (2) by telephone (see proxy card for instructions); or (3) by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, so that your shares may be represented and voted at the special meeting. If your shares are held in “street name” by a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by such bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. If you hold shares through the Foot Locker 401(k) Plan or the Puerto Rico Savings Plan, see “How do I vote or have my shares voted?” for instructions on how to vote those shares. Any shareholder of record participating in the special meeting may vote even if such shareholder has returned a proxy card. However, if your shares are held in “street name” you must obtain a legal proxy from the bank, brokerage firm or nominee to vote at the special meeting. Shareholders of record as of July 7, 2025 will be able to participate in the special meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FL2025SM and entering the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or voting instruction card that accompanied your proxy materials. If you have any questions about the special meeting, the merger, the proposals or the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies of the proxy statement/prospectus, need to obtain proxy cards or other information related to this proxy solicitation or need help submitting a proxy or voting your shares of Foot Locker common stock, please contact the firm assisting us in the solicitation of proxies: Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Shareholders May Call Toll Free: (866) 239-1762
Banks and Brokerage Firms May Call Collect: (212) 750-5833 By order of the board of directors Erin Conway
Vice President, Deputy and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Dated: July [ ], 2025
New York, New York
TABLE OF CONTENTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker from other documents that DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the “SEC”) and that are contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. For a listing of documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, please see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” This information is available for you to review on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You can obtain copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus free of charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone at the following addresses and telephone numbers: | | | | For Information Regarding DICK’S Sporting Goods: | | | For Information Regarding Foot Locker: | | | | | DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. 345 Court Street
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108 (724) 273-3400 Attention: Investor Relations | | | Foot Locker, Inc.
330 West 34th Street
New York, New York 10001
(212) 720-3700
Attention: Investor Relations | | | | |
In addition, you may obtain copies of documents filed by DICK’S Sporting Goods with the SEC by accessing DICK’S Sporting Goods’ website at https://investors.dicks.com/investors. You may obtain copies of documents filed by Foot Locker with the SEC by accessing Foot Locker’s website at https://investors.footlocker-inc.com/. We are not incorporating the contents of the websites of the SEC, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker or any other entity into this proxy statement/prospectus. We are providing the information about how you can obtain certain documents that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus at these websites only for your convenience. In addition, if you have questions about the Foot Locker special meeting, the merger, the proposals to be presented at the Foot Locker special meeting or this proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies of the proxy statement/prospectus, need to obtain proxy cards or other information related to the proxy solicitation or need help submitting a proxy or voting your shares of Foot Locker common stock, you may contact Innisfree M&A Incorporated (which we refer to as “Innisfree”), Foot Locker’s proxy solicitor, at the address and telephone number listed below. Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Shareholders May Call Toll Free: (866) 239-1762
Banks and Brokerage Firms May Call Collect: (212) 750-5833 You will not be charged for any of these documents that you request. To obtain timely delivery of these documents, you must request them, by written or oral means, no later than five (5) business days before the date of the Foot Locker special meeting. This means that holders of Foot Locker common stock requesting documents must do so by August 15, 2025, to receive them before the Foot Locker special meeting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS This proxy statement/prospectus, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by DICK’S Sporting Goods, constitutes a prospectus of DICK’S Sporting Goods under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (which we refer to as the “Securities Act”), with respect to the shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock to be issued to Foot Locker shareholders pursuant to the merger agreement. This proxy statement/prospectus also constitutes a proxy statement for Foot Locker under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which we refer to as the “Exchange Act”), and a notice of meeting with respect to the Foot Locker special meeting. Except where the context otherwise indicates, the information concerning DICK’S Sporting Goods contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus has been provided by DICK’S Sporting Goods, and the information concerning Foot Locker contained in this proxy statement/prospectus has been provided by Foot Locker. You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement/prospectus. Therefore, neither DICK’S Sporting Goods nor Foot Locker takes any responsibility for, or can provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information other than the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated July [ ], 2025, and you should assume that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate only as of such date. Neither the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus to Foot Locker shareholders nor the issuance of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock in the merger will create any implication to the contrary. You should also assume that the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate only as of the date of such information. This proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. All currency amounts referenced in this proxy statement/prospectus are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires: •“adjournment proposal” refers to the proposal to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal; •“cash consideration” refers to the $24.00 that Foot Locker shareholders will receive, without interest, for each share of Foot Locker common stock that they own at the effective time pursuant to the merger agreement (i) if they make a cash election prior to the election deadline that is not properly changed, revoked or deemed revoked or (ii) if they fail to make a proper election prior to the election deadline; | • | “cash election” refers to a Foot Locker shareholder’s properly made election to receive cash consideration for their shares of Foot Locker common stock; |
• | “Code” refers to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; |
• | “combined company” refers to DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, collectively, after the effective time; |
• | “DGCL” refers to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended; |
• | “DICK’S Sporting Goods” refers to DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc., a Delaware corporation; |
• | “DICK’S Sporting Goods board” or “DICK’S Sporting Goods board of directors” refers to the board of directors of DICK’S Sporting Goods; |
• | “DICK’S Sporting Goods bylaws” refers to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of DICK’S Sporting Goods, dated as of March 27, 2024; |
TABLE OF CONTENTS •“DICK’S Sporting Goods charter” refers to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of DICK’S Sporting Goods, dated as of October 14, 2002, as amended by those certain Amendments to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of DICK’S Sporting Goods, dated as of (a) June 10, 2004, (b) June 9, 2021, (c) June 14, 2023 and (d) June 11, 2025; •“DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock” refers to shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock, par value $0.01 per share; | • | “DICK’S Sporting Goods common stockholders” refers to holders of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock; |
• | “effective time” refers to the effective time of the merger; |
• | “election” refers to the right of each Foot Locker shareholder to, during the election period and prior to the election deadline, make a cash election to receive cash consideration or to make a stock election to receive stock consideration, in either case only if properly made and not properly changed, revoked or deemed revoked; |
• | “election deadline” refers to the deadline by which Foot Locker shareholders must make their election to receive cash consideration or stock consideration for their shares of Foot Locker common stock; |
• | “election period” refers to the twenty (20) business day period between the date a form of election is mailed to Foot Locker shareholders of record as of five (5) business days prior to such mailing date and the election deadline; |
• | “Evercore” refers to Evercore Group L.L.C., financial advisor to Foot Locker; |
• | “exchange ratio” refers to the ratio of 0.1168 shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock for each share of Foot Locker common stock; |
• | “Foot Locker” refers to Foot Locker, Inc., a New York corporation; |
• | “Foot Locker board” or “Foot Locker board of directors” refers to the board of directors of Foot Locker; |
• | “Foot Locker bylaws” refers to the Bylaws of Foot Locker, as amended and restated as of September 22, 2023; |
• | “Foot Locker charter” refers to the Certificate of Incorporation of Foot Locker, dated as of April 7, 1989, as amended by those certain Certificates of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Foot Locker, dated as of (a) July 20, 1989, (b) July 24, 1990, (c) July 9, 1997, (d) June 11, 1998, (e) November 1, 2001, (f) May 28, 2014 and (g) December 8, 2020; |
• | “Foot Locker common stock” refers to shares of Foot Locker common stock, par value $0.01 per share; |
• | “Foot Locker Indenture” means that certain Indenture, dated as of October 5, 2021, among Foot Locker, the guarantors from time to time party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee; |
• | “Foot Locker Notes” means the 4.000% Senior Notes due 2029, issued by Foot Locker, pursuant to the Foot Locker Indenture; |
• | “Foot Locker shareholders” refers to holders of shares of Foot Locker common stock prior to the effective time; | • | “Foot Locker special meeting” refers to the virtual special meeting of Foot Locker shareholders to be held on August 22, 2025, starting at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FL2025SM (as it may be adjourned or postponed to a later date); | • | “Goldman Sachs” refers to Goldman Sachs & Co., LLC, financial advisor to DICK’S Sporting Goods; |
• | “HSR Act” refers to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder; |
• | “merger” refers to the merger of Merger Sub with and into Foot Locker, with Foot Locker surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods; |
TABLE OF CONTENTS •“merger agreement” refers to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 15, 2025, by and among DICK’S Sporting Goods, Merger Sub and Foot Locker (as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms), which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A; •“merger agreement proposal” refers to the proposal to adopt the merger agreement; | • | “merger consideration” refers to the cash consideration and the stock consideration, collectively; |
• | “merger-related compensation proposal” refers to the proposal to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Foot Locker’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger; |
• | “Merger Sub” refers to RJS Sub LLC, a New York limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods; |
• | “non-election shares” refers to shares of Foot Locker common stock for which a Foot Locker shareholder did not make an election prior to the election deadline; |
• | “NYSE” refers to the New York Stock Exchange, the exchange on which DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock trades under the symbol “DKS” and on which Foot Locker common stock trades under the symbol “FL”; | • | “record date” refers to July 7, 2025, the record date for the Foot Locker special meeting; | • | “Skadden” refers to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, legal advisor to Foot Locker; |
• | “stock consideration” refers to the 0.1168 shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock that Foot Locker shareholders will receive for each share of Foot Locker common stock they own at the effective time pursuant to the merger agreement if they make a stock election prior to the election deadline that is not properly changed, revoked or deemed revoked; |
• | “stock election” refers to a Foot Locker shareholder’s properly made election to receive stock consideration for their shares of Foot Locker common stock; |
• | “surviving entity” refers to Foot Locker after the merger, in which Merger Sub merges with and into Foot Locker with Foot Locker surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods; |
• | “WLRK” refers to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, legal advisor to DICK’S Sporting Goods; and |
• | the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, collectively, unless otherwise indicated or as the context requires. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS | | | | ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS | | | i | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | | | 1 | SUMMARY | | | 10 | RISK FACTORS | | | 20 | CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | | | 29 | INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTIES | | | 32 | INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOOT LOCKER SPECIAL MEETING | | | 33 | PROPOSAL 1: THE MERGER AGREEMENT PROPOSAL | | | 37 | PROPOSAL 2: THE MERGER-RELATED COMPENSATION PROPOSAL | | | 38 | PROPOSAL 3: THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL | | | 39 | THE MERGER | | | 40 | THE MERGER AGREEMENT | | | 86 | MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES | | | 112 | UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION | | | 115 | NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION | | | 120 | COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF DICK’S SPORTING GOODS STOCKHOLDERS AND FOOT LOCKER SHAREHOLDERS | | | 133 | INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOOT LOCKER BENEFICIAL OWNERS | | | 154 | LEGAL MATTERS | | | 156 | EXPERTS | | | 157 | FOOT LOCKER SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS | | | 158 | HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS | | | 159 | WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | | | 160 | | | | |
| | | | ANNEXES | | | | Annex A | | | Merger Agreement | Annex B | | | Opinion of Evercore | | | | |
TABLE OF CONTENTS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The following questions and answers are intended to briefly address some commonly asked questions regarding the merger, the merger agreement and the special meeting. These questions and answers may not address all questions that may be important to you as a Foot Locker shareholder. Please refer to the section entitled “Summary” and the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, the annexes to this proxy statement/prospectus and the documents referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus, which you should read carefully and in their entirety. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus without charge by following the instructions under the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” Q:
Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus? A:
Foot Locker, Inc. (which we refer to as “Foot Locker”) is sending these materials to Foot Locker shareholders to help them decide how to vote their shares of Foot Locker common stock with respect to the adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 15, 2025, by and among DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (which we refer to as “DICK’S Sporting Goods”), RJS Sub LLC, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods (which we refer to as “Merger Sub”) and Foot Locker, which agreement provides for the acquisition of Foot Locker by DICK’S Sporting Goods (such agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, we refer to as the “merger agreement”), a copy of which is included as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus, and approval of the merger (as defined below), and with respect to the other proposals to be considered at the special meeting of Foot Locker shareholders to be held on August 22, 2025 (which we refer to as the “special meeting”). | This document constitutes both a proxy statement of Foot Locker and a prospectus of DICK’S Sporting Goods. It is a proxy statement because Foot Locker is soliciting proxies from its shareholders. It is a prospectus because DICK’S Sporting Goods will issue shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (which we refer to as “DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock”), in exchange for shares of Foot Locker common stock, par value $0.01 per share (which we refer to as “Foot Locker common stock”) held by Foot Locker shareholders electing to receive the stock consideration (as defined below) in the merger (as defined below) if the merger is completed. A:
| Foot Locker has agreed to be acquired by DICK’S Sporting Goods under the terms of the merger agreement, which is further described in this proxy statement/prospectus. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including obtaining the requisite vote of Foot Locker shareholders, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act and the receipt of approvals or clearances required under the antitrust laws of certain other jurisdictions, Merger Sub will merge with and into Foot Locker, with Foot Locker surviving the merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods (which we refer to as the “merger”). |
Q:
| What are the closing conditions that must be satisfied to complete the merger and can the parties waive the closing conditions? |
A:
| There are a number of conditions to the closing of the merger. For a summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the consummation of the merger, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.” The closing conditions can be waived by the applicable parties to the extent permitted by applicable law, but no party is required to waive any closing conditions. |
If the parties were to waive any closing conditions—such as the condition that (i) the shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock to be issued in connection with the merger be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, (ii) the representations and warranties of Foot Locker and DICK’S Sporting Goods must be true and correct as of the closing, subject to certain materiality or material adverse effect qualifiers or (iii) no material adverse effect on Foot Locker has occurred that is continuing—such waiver may have an adverse effect on Foot Locker and DICK’S Sporting Goods and their shareholders and stockholders, respectively. For a summary of the potential risks relating to the merger, see the section entitled “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Merger.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS Q:
Are there any risks that I should consider in deciding whether to vote for the approval of the merger agreement proposal? A:
Yes. You should read and carefully consider the risks set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors.” You should also read and carefully consider the risks related to DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker contained in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. | Q:
| What will I receive for my shares if the merger is completed? |
A:
| At the effective time, you will be entitled to receive, at your election, for each share of Foot Locker common stock that you hold (i) $24.00 per share in cash, without interest (which we refer to as the “cash consideration”) or (ii) 0.1168 shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock (which we refer to as the “stock consideration”). |
You may elect a different form of consideration for each share of Foot Locker common stock you own. You may elect to receive (i) solely the cash consideration, (ii) solely the stock consideration or (iii) if you own more than one share of Foot Locker common stock, a combination of the cash consideration for a selected number of shares and the stock consideration for the remaining number of shares. The election is not subject to a minimum or maximum amount of cash consideration or stock consideration. Foot Locker shareholders who do not make an election will be treated as having elected to receive the cash consideration in accordance with the merger agreement. You will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock that you would otherwise be entitled to receive. Based on the closing price per share of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock of $209.61 on May 14, 2025, the last trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, the stock consideration had a value of approximately $24.48 per share of Foot Locker common stock. Based on the closing stock price of $206.94 per share of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on July 7, 2025 (the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement/prospectus), the stock consideration had a value of approximately $24.17 per share of Foot Locker common stock. The implied value of the stock consideration will fluctuate as the market price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock fluctuates because the stock consideration is payable in a fixed number of shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock. As a result, the value of the stock consideration that Foot Locker shareholders electing the stock consideration will receive upon completion of the merger could be greater than, less than or the same as the value of the stock consideration on the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, at the time of the special meeting or on the date on which Foot Locker shareholders make their election. Accordingly, you should obtain current stock price quotations for DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock and Foot Locker common stock before deciding how to vote with respect to the approval of the merger agreement proposal or before making your merger consideration election. DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock and Foot Locker common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “DKS” and “FL,” respectively. For additional information regarding the consideration to be received in the merger, see the section entitled “The Merger—Merger Consideration.” Q:
| What happens if I am eligible to receive a fraction of a share of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock as part of the stock consideration? |
A:
| If the aggregate number of shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock that you are entitled to receive as part of the stock consideration otherwise would include a fraction of a share of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock, you will receive cash in lieu of that fractional share. See the section entitled “The Merger—Exchange of Shares; Elections as to Form of Consideration.” |
Q:
| How and when do I make my merger consideration election? |
A:
| You will receive an election form prior to the expected closing date. You will make your cash and/or stock election by properly completing, signing and returning the election form. In addition, if you hold stock certificates representing Foot Locker common stock, you must return your stock certificates (or guaranty of delivery of such certificates) to the exchange agent in connection with the merger. If you do not send in the election form with such stock certificates, if applicable, by the election deadline, you will be treated as though you had not made an election. Carefully review and follow the instructions accompanying the election form. If you own Foot Locker common stock in “street name” through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee and you |
TABLE OF CONTENTS wish to make an election, you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee when making your election. If you hold shares through the Foot Locker 401(k) Plan or the Puerto Rico Savings Plan, you will receive information and separate instructions about how to direct the plan trustee to make an election on your behalf with respect to the Foot Locker common stock allocated to your account. The mailing of the election form will occur at least twenty (20) business days prior to the anticipated election deadline, which is expected to be 5:00 p.m. local time (in the city in which the principal office of the exchange agent is located) on the date that is five (5) business days prior to DICK’S Sporting Goods’ good faith estimate of the closing date or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by the parties. DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker will publicly announce the anticipated election deadline at least three (3) business days prior to the election deadline. If you hold Foot Locker common stock through the Foot Locker 401(k) Plan or the Puerto Rico Savings Plan, your election directions must be received by the plan trustee by a deadline that will be earlier than the election deadline applicable to shareholders generally to allow sufficient time for the trustee to make the merger consideration election on your behalf. You will be notified of the deadline for directing the trustee with the information and separate instructions on how to direct the trustee to make the election on your behalf. Do NOT submit any stock certificates (or evidence of shares in book-entry form) with your proxy card. For more details on the election procedures, see the section entitled “The Merger—Exchange of Shares; Elections as to Form of Consideration.” Q:
What do I do if I want to revoke my election? A:
You may change or revoke your election at any time during the election period, by written notice to the exchange agent prior to the election deadline or by withdrawal of your Foot Locker stock certificates (or of the guarantee of delivery of such stock certificates), if applicable, previously deposited with the exchange agent prior to the election deadline. | Q:
| What happens if I do not make a valid merger consideration election? |
A:
| If you do not return a properly completed election form by the election deadline, your shares of Foot Locker common stock will be considered “non-election” shares and will be converted into the right to receive the cash consideration. |
Q:
| If I make a valid merger consideration election, could I receive a form of merger consideration that I did not elect to receive? |
A:
| No. The election is not subject to a minimum or maximum amount of cash consideration or stock consideration. Therefore, you will receive your validly elected form of merger consideration for all of your shares of Foot Locker common stock. |
Q:
| How will I receive the merger consideration to which I am entitled? |
A:
| After receiving the proper documentation from you, following the completion of the merger, the exchange agent will provide to you the cash consideration and/or the stock consideration to which you are entitled. More information on the documentation you are required to deliver to the exchange agent may be found in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Exchange and Payment Procedures.” |
Q:
| What will the holders of Foot Locker’s outstanding equity awards receive in the merger? |
A:
| Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, each option to purchase Foot Locker common stock granted under the Foot Locker 2007 Stock Incentive Plan or granted as an inducement award (which we refer to as a “Foot Locker option”) that is outstanding and unexercised, whether or not vested, as of immediately prior to the effective time and that has a per share exercise price that is less than the cash consideration (each of which we refer to as an “in-the-money option”) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to (a) the number of shares of Foot Locker common stock subject to the Foot Locker option as of immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by (b) the excess (if any) of the cash consideration over the per share exercise price applicable to the Foot Locker option. At the effective time, each Foot Locker option that is not an in-the-money option which is outstanding and unexercised, whether or not vested, as of immediately prior to the effective time will be cancelled for no consideration. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, each restricted stock unit award granted under the Foot Locker 2007 Stock Incentive Plan or granted as an inducement award (which we refer to as a “Foot Locker RSU Award”) that is held by an individual who is not a non-employee director of Foot Locker and each performance stock unit award granted under the Foot Locker 2007 Stock Incentive Plan or granted as an inducement award (which we refer to as a “Foot Locker PSU Award”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time will be assumed and converted into a time-based restricted stock unit award in respect of a number of shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the total number of shares of Foot Locker common stock subject to the Foot Locker RSU Award or Foot Locker PSU Award, as applicable, as of immediately prior to the effective time by (b) the exchange ratio (i.e., 0.1168), with any fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, the number of shares of Foot Locker common stock subject to a Foot Locker PSU Award as of immediately prior to the effective time will be determined in accordance with the applicable award agreements. Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, each Foot Locker RSU Award that is held by a non-employee director of Foot Locker and is outstanding, whether or not vested, as of immediately prior to the effective time will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to (a) the number of shares of Foot Locker common stock subject to the Foot Locker RSU Award as of immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by (b) the cash consideration. Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, each deferred stock unit award granted under the Foot Locker 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (which we refer to as a “Foot Locker DSU Award”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive, at the earliest time following the effective time permitted by the award terms that will not trigger any additional tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code, the cash consideration in respect of each share of Foot Locker common stock subject to the Foot Locker DSU Award as of immediately prior to the effective time. Q:
What will happen to Foot Locker as a result of the merger? A:
If the merger is completed, Foot Locker, as the surviving entity in the merger, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods as a result of the merger. As a result of the merger, Foot Locker will no longer be a publicly held company. Foot Locker common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and deregistered under the Exchange Act. | Q:
| Will the DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock received at the time of completion of merger be traded on an exchange? |
A:
| Yes, it is a condition to closing the merger that the shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock to be issued to Foot Locker shareholders electing the stock consideration in the merger be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. |
Q:
| When is the merger expected to be completed? |
A:
| DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker currently expect the merger to be completed during the second half of 2025, subject to the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock in favor of adoption of the merger agreement, the expiration or termination of the waiting period (and any extensions thereof) applicable to the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (which we refer to as the “HSR Act”), the receipt of the clearances and approvals applicable to the merger under the antitrust laws of certain other jurisdictions, and the satisfaction or waiver of the other closing conditions contained in the merger agreement. However, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker cannot predict the actual date on which the merger will be completed because completion is subject to conditions beyond their control and it is possible that such conditions could result in the merger being completed earlier or later or not being completed at all. See the sections entitled “The Merger—Regulatory Clearances and Approvals Required for the Merger” and “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.” |
TABLE OF CONTENTS Q:
What am I being asked to vote on? A:
You are being asked to vote upon the following proposals: | 1.
| Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal: the proposal to adopt the merger agreement, which is further described in the sections entitled “The Merger” and “The Merger Agreement” and a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, and to approve the merger; |
2.
| Proposal 2—The Merger-Related Compensation Proposal: the proposal to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Foot Locker’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger; and |
3.
| Proposal 3—The Adjournment Proposal: the proposal to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal. |
Q:
| How does the Foot Locker board of directors recommend that I vote at the special meeting? |
A:
| The Foot Locker board of directors unanimously recommends that Foot Locker shareholders vote “FOR” the merger agreement proposal and “FOR” each of the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus. |
Q:
| Do any of Foot Locker’s non-employee directors or executive officers have interests in the merger that may differ from those of Foot Locker shareholders generally? |
A:
| In considering the recommendation of the Foot Locker board of directors with respect to the merger agreement proposal, you should be aware that Foot Locker’s non-employee directors and executive officers may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Foot Locker shareholders generally. The Foot Locker board of directors was aware of and considered, among other matters, these interests, to the extent such interests existed at the time in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement and the merger, in approving the merger agreement and the merger, and in recommending that the merger agreement be adopted by the Foot Locker shareholders. For a description of the interests of Foot Locker’s non-employee directors and executive officers in the merger, see the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Foot Locker’s Non-Employee Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.” |
Q:
| What do I need to do now? |
A:
| After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, please submit your proxy as soon as possible so that your shares of Foot Locker common stock will be represented and voted at the special meeting. Please follow the instructions set forth on the proxy card or on the voting instruction card provided by the record holder if your shares are held in “street name” by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. |
Q:
| Should I send in my Foot Locker stock certificates now? |
A:
| No. Please do not send in your Foot Locker stock certificates with your proxy. You should submit your Foot Locker stock certificates with your election form. If a Foot Locker shareholder who holds Foot Locker common stock in certificated form does not submit its, his or her stock certificate(s) with the election form, such Foot Locker shareholder will be sent materials after the merger closes to effect the exchange of such shareholder’s Foot Locker common stock for the cash consideration. See the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Exchange and Payment Procedures.” |
Q:
| When and where is the special meeting of the Foot Locker shareholders? | A:
| The special meeting will be held on August 22, 2025, beginning at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, unless postponed to a later date, via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FL2025SM. You will need the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card or voting instruction card in order to participate in the special meeting. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS Q:
Who can vote at the special meeting? A:
Only Foot Locker shareholders who held shares of record as of the close of business on July 7, 2025, the record date for the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting. Foot Locker’s official stock ownership records will conclusively determine whether a shareholder is a “holder of record” as of the record date. | Q:
| How many votes do I have? | A:
| You are entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the special meeting for each share of Foot Locker common stock you hold or beneficially own as of the close of business on the record date. As of the close of business on the record date, there were 95,444,721 shares of Foot Locker common stock outstanding (excluding shares of Foot Locker common stock held in treasury by Foot Locker, or by any of Foot Locker’s subsidiaries) held by 8,060 holders of record. | Q:
| What constitutes a quorum for the special meeting? |
A:
| The presence of holders of shares representing at least a majority of the total outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock on the record date entitled to vote at the special meeting, represented virtually or by proxy, constitute a quorum. Shareholders choosing to abstain from voting will be treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not be counted as votes cast “FOR” any matter. Broker “non-votes,” if any, will not be treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. |
Q:
| What vote is required to approve each proposal to be considered at the Foot Locker special meeting? |
A:
| The votes required for each proposal are as follows: |
1.
| Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal: The affirmative vote, virtually or by proxy, of holders of at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement proposal is required to approve the merger agreement proposal. |
2.
| Proposal 2—The Merger-Related Compensation Proposal: Assuming a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, is required to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the merger-related compensation proposal. |
3.
| Proposal 3—The Adjournment Proposal: The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, is required to approve the adjournment proposal. |
Q:
| How are proxies counted and what results from a failure to vote, abstention or broker non-vote? |
A:
| Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal: If you are a Foot Locker shareholder on the record date and take any action other than voting (or causing your shares to be voted) “FOR” the merger agreement proposal, it will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement proposal. For example, if you fail to instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to vote, it will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement proposal. |
Proposal 2—The Merger-Related Compensation Proposal: If you are a Foot Locker shareholder on the record date and you (i) participate in the special meeting virtually but fail to vote, (ii) mark your proxy card or voting instruction card to abstain, (iii) do not participate in the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, or (iv) do not vote or instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee how to vote your shares, there will be no effect on the merger-related compensation proposal. Proposal 3—The Adjournment Proposal: If you are a Foot Locker shareholder on the record date and you (i) participate in the special meeting virtually but fail to vote, (ii) mark your proxy card or voting instruction card to abstain, (iii) do not participate in the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, or (iv) do not vote or instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee how to vote your shares, there will be no effect on the adjournment proposal. Q:
| What will happen if the merger-related compensation proposal is not approved? |
A:
| The merger-related compensation proposal is advisory only and not binding on Foot Locker or DICK’S Sporting Goods, whether or not the merger is completed. The vote on the merger-related compensation proposal is |
TABLE OF CONTENTS separate and apart from the vote to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger and not a condition to the completion of the merger. If the merger is completed, the merger-related compensation that is the subject of this proposal may be paid to Foot Locker’s named executive officers in accordance with the terms of their compensation agreements and arrangements even if the Foot Locker shareholders fail to approve this proposal. Q:
How do I vote or have my shares voted? A:
If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote virtually at the special meeting or vote by proxy using one of the methods described below. Whether or not you plan to participate in the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still participate in the special meeting and vote virtually even if you have already voted by proxy. | • | To vote via the Internet, submit your proxy by using the Internet at proxyvote.com. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 21, 2025, the day before the special meeting. | • | To vote by telephone, submit your proxy by telephone at 1-800-690-6903. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 21, 2025, the day before the special meeting. | • | To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope (if mailed in the United States) included with this proxy statement/prospectus. Foot Locker shareholders who vote this way should mail the proxy card early enough so that it is received before the date of the special meeting. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the special meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct. |
• | To vote virtually at the special meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FL2025SM and enter the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or voting instruction card that accompanied your proxy materials. |
• | If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you should have received a voting instruction card with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from Foot Locker. Follow the instructions from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to see which of the above choices are available to you to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote virtually at the special meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. | • | If you hold shares through the Foot Locker 401(k) Plan or the Puerto Rico Savings Plan, your proxy card includes the number of shares allocated to your plan account. Your proxy card will serve as a voting instruction card for the plan trustee to vote the shares allocated to your plan account. In general, your voting directions must be received by the plan trustee by a deadline that is earlier than the deadline applicable to shareholders generally in order to allow sufficient time for the trustee to tabulate and vote the shares of Foot Locker common stock held by the plan. Accordingly, to allow sufficient time for voting by the trustees of these plans, your voting instructions must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 19, 2025. If the plan trustee does not receive directions on how to vote the shares, the trustee will vote such shares in the same proportion as the shares which were voted by plan participants and beneficiaries. | Q:
| How will my proxy be voted? |
A:
| If you are a holder of record and submit your proxy via the Internet, by telephone or by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions contained in the proxy. If you are a holder of record and submit your proxy without specifying how your shares should be voted on one or more matters, your shares will be voted on those matters as the Foot Locker board of directors recommends. |
If you are a beneficial owner, please refer to the instructions provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee as to how to vote your shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Q:
How can I participate in the special meeting? A:
To virtually participate in the special meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FL2025SM and enter the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or voting instruction card that accompanied your proxy materials. If you hold your shares in “street name” and wish to vote virtually at the special meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the special meeting. | Additional information on participating in the special meeting can be found in the section entitled “Information about the Foot Locker Special Meeting.” Q:
| If my shares are held in “street name” by my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, will my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee vote my shares for me? |
A:
| No. If your shares are held in “street name” by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you must direct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee on how to vote and you will receive instructions from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee describing how to vote your shares of Foot Locker common stock. The availability of Internet or telephonic voting will depend on the nominee’s voting process. Please check with your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee and follow the voting procedures your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee provides. |
Under applicable stock exchange rules, your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee cannot vote your shares of Foot Locker common stock on “non-routine” matters without your instructions. If you do not provide these instructions, a “non-vote” occurs with respect to those matters. The merger agreement proposal, the merger-related compensation proposal and the adjournment proposal will be considered “non-routine” matters. Accordingly, if you do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee instructions on how to vote your shares of Foot Locker common stock at the special meeting, your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee generally will not be permitted to vote your shares on any of the proposals at the special meeting. Foot Locker strongly encourages you to provide voting instructions to your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee so that your vote will be counted on all matters. Q:
| What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and in “street name”? |
A:
| If your shares of Foot Locker common stock are registered directly in your name with the transfer agent of Foot Locker, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. As the shareholder of record, you have the right to vote or to grant a proxy for your vote directly to Foot Locker or to a third party to vote at the special meeting. |
If your shares are held by a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and, for the purposes of this proxy statement/prospectus, a beneficial owner, and your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee is considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. If you are a beneficial owner, you have a right to direct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee on how to vote the shares held in your account. The availability of Internet or telephonic voting will depend on the nominee’s voting process. Please check with your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee and follow the voting procedures your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee provides. Q:
| What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials for the special meeting? |
A:
| You may receive more than one set of voting materials for the special meeting, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your Foot Locker common stock in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a shareholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please submit each separate proxy card or voting instruction card that you receive by following the instructions set forth in each separate proxy card or voting instruction card. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS Q:
What do I do if I am a Foot Locker shareholder and I want to revoke my proxy? A:
Shareholders of record may revoke their proxies at any time prior to the voting at the special meeting in any of the following ways: | • | signing and delivering a new proxy relating to the same shares and bearing a later date than the original proxy; |
• | sending a signed, written notice of revocation, which is dated later than the date of the proxy and states that the proxy is revoked, via email to Attention: Corporate Secretary, CorporateSecretary@footlocker.com; or |
• | participating in and voting during the virtual special meeting. Participation in the virtual special meeting will not, however, in and of itself, constitute a vote or revocation of a prior proxy. |
Beneficial owners of shares held in “street name” may change their voting instructions only by following the directions received from their bank, brokerage firm or other nominee for changing their voting instructions. Q:
| What happens if I sell my shares of Foot Locker common stock before the special meeting? |
A:
| The record date is earlier than both the date of the special meeting and the closing of the merger. If you transfer your shares of Foot Locker common stock after the record date but before the special meeting, you will, unless the transferee requests a proxy from you, retain your right to vote at the special meeting but will transfer the right to receive the merger consideration to the person to whom you transfer your shares. In order to receive the merger consideration, you must hold your shares upon completion of the merger. |
Q:
| Do Foot Locker shareholders have appraisal rights? |
A:
| No. Foot Locker shareholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the merger under Section 910 of the New York Business Corporation Law (which we refer to as the “NYBCL”). |
Q:
| Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies? |
A:
| Foot Locker will pay for the proxy solicitation costs related to the special meeting. Foot Locker has engaged Innisfree to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. Foot Locker estimates that it will pay Innisfree a fee of approximately $75,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Foot Locker will also reimburse banks, brokerage firms, custodians, trustees, nominees and fiduciaries who hold shares for the benefit of another party for their expenses incurred in sending proxies and proxy materials to beneficial owners of Foot Locker common stock. Foot Locker’s directors, officers and employees also may solicit proxies in person by telephone or over the Internet. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies. |
Q:
| How can I find more information about DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker? |
A:
| You can find more information about DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker from various sources described in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” |
Q:
| Who can answer any questions I may have about the special meeting or the proxy materials? |
A:
| If you have any questions about the special meeting, the merger, the proposals or this proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies of the proxy statement/prospectus, need to obtain proxy cards or other information related to this proxy solicitation or need help submitting a proxy or voting your shares of Foot Locker common stock, please contact the firm assisting us in the solicitation of proxies: |
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Shareholders May Call Toll Free: (866) 239-1762
Banks and Brokerage Firms May Call Collect: (212) 750-5833
TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY The following summary highlights selected information described in more detail elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all the information that may be important to you. To understand the merger and the matters being voted on by Foot Locker shareholders at the Foot Locker special meeting more fully, and to obtain a more complete description of the legal terms of the merger agreement, you should carefully read this entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the annexes, and the documents to which DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker refer you. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus without charge by following the instructions in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” The Parties (see page 32) DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.
345 Court Street
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108
(724) 273-3400 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of February 1, 2025, DICK’S Sporting Goods operated 723 DICK’S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring its customers to achieve their personal best through interactions with DICK’S Sporting Goods’ dedicated employees, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops. In addition to DICK’S Sporting Goods stores, DICK’S Sporting Goods owns and operates Golf Galaxy, Public Lands, and Going Going Gone! specialty concept stores and offers its products online and through its mobile apps. DICK’S Sporting Goods also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center stores, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping. DICK’S Sporting Goods was founded and incorporated in 1948 in New York under the name Dick’s Clothing and Sporting Goods, Inc. when Richard “Dick” Stack, the father of Edward W. Stack, DICK’S Sporting Goods’ Executive Chairman, opened his original bait and tackle store in Binghamton, New York. Edward W. Stack joined his father’s business full-time in 1977 and in 1984 became President and Chief Executive Officer of the then two-store chain. In November 1997, DICK’S Sporting Goods reincorporated as a Delaware corporation, and in April 1999 it changed its name to DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “DKS.” The corporate headquarters of DICK’S Sporting Goods are located at 345 Court Street, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108, and its telephone number is (724) 273-3400. RJS Sub LLC
c/o DICK’S Sporting Goods
345 Court Street
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108
(724) 273-3400 RJS Sub LLC, a New York limited liability company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods. Merger Sub was formed by DICK’S Sporting Goods on May 14, 2025 solely in contemplation of the merger, has not conducted any business and has no assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than as set forth in the merger agreement. At the effective time, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Foot Locker, with Foot Locker continuing as the surviving entity in the merger and as a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods. The principal executive offices of Merger Sub are located at c/o DICK’S Sporting Goods, 345 Court Street, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108, and its telephone number is (724) 273-3400. Foot Locker, Inc.
330 West 34th Street
New York, New York 10001
(212) 720-3700 Foot Locker, Inc., a New York corporation, is leading footwear and apparel retailer that unlocks the “inner sneakerhead” in all of us. With approximately 2,400 retail stores in 20 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and a licensed store presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Foot Locker has a
TABLE OF CONTENTS strong history of sneaker authority that sparks discovery and ignites the power of sneaker culture through its portfolio of brands, including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos. Foot Locker common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “FL.” The corporate headquarters of Foot Locker are located at 330 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10001, and its telephone number is (212) 720-3700. The Merger and the Merger Agreement (see pages 40 and 86) The terms and conditions of the merger are contained in the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus and incorporated by reference herein. You are encouraged to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety, as it is the primary legal document that governs the merger. Structure of the Merger Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, at the effective time, Merger Sub will merge with and into Foot Locker, with Foot Locker continuing as the surviving entity in the merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of DICK’S Sporting Goods. Following the merger, Foot Locker common stock will be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered under the Exchange Act and will cease to be publicly traded. Merger Consideration At the effective time, each share of Foot Locker common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than certain shares of Foot Locker common stock that are held in treasury by Foot Locker or owned by DICK’S Sporting Goods or Merger Sub (which we refer to collectively as “cancelled shares”) or owned by direct or indirect subsidiaries of Foot Locker or DICK’S Sporting Goods, other than Merger Sub (which we refer to collectively as “converted shares”)) will be converted into the right to receive, without interest and at the election of the holder of such share: (a) $24.00, if a cash election to receive cash consideration has been properly made and not properly changed, revoked or deemed revoked (or if no election has been validly made) or (b) 0.1168 shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock, if a stock election to receive stock consideration has been properly made and not properly changed, revoked or deemed revoked. The election is not subject to a minimum or maximum amount of cash consideration or stock consideration. Foot Locker shareholders may elect a different form of consideration for each share of Foot Locker common stock such Foot Locker shareholder owns. Foot Locker shareholders may elect to receive (i) solely the cash consideration, (ii) solely the stock consideration or (iii) if Foot Locker shareholders own more than one share of Foot Locker common stock, a combination of the cash consideration for a selected number of shares and the stock consideration for the remaining number of shares. Foot Locker shareholders will not receive any fractional shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock in the merger. Instead, a Foot Locker shareholder who otherwise would have received a fractional share of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock upon a stock election will be entitled to receive a cash payment in lieu of such fractional share in an amount determined by multiplying (i) the last reported sale price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock on the NYSE (as reported in the Wall Street Journal, or if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually selected by DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker) on the last complete trading day prior to the date of the effective time by (ii) the fraction of a share (after taking into account all shares of Foot Locker common stock held by such holder at the effective time for which the shareholder made a stock election and rounded to the nearest one thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock to which such holder would otherwise be entitled. If, before the effective time, the outstanding shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock or Foot Locker common stock are changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of any stock split, division or subdivision of shares, stock dividend, reverse stock split, consolidation of shares, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction, then any number or amount contained in the merger agreement which is based upon the price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock or Foot Locker common stock or the number or fraction of shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock or Foot Locker common stock, as the case may be, will be appropriately adjusted, without duplication, to proportionately reflect any such change. For more information about the merger consideration and election, see the section entitled “The Merger—Terms of the Merger.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS Foot Locker Special Meeting (see page 33) Purposes of the Special Meeting At the special meeting, Foot Locker shareholders will be asked to vote upon the following proposals: •the merger agreement proposal; •the merger-related compensation proposal; and • | the adjournment proposal. |
Record Date The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting is July 7, 2025 (which we refer to as the “record date”). Only Foot Locker shareholders who held shares of record as of the close of business on the record date for the special meeting are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. Foot Locker’s official stock ownership records will conclusively determine whether a shareholder is a “holder of record” as of the record date. Required Vote • | Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal. The affirmative vote, virtually or by proxy, of holders of at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement proposal is required to approve the merger agreement proposal. |
• | Proposal 2—The Merger-Related Compensation Proposal. Assuming a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, is required to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the merger-related compensation proposal. |
• | Proposal 3—The Adjournment Proposal. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, is required to approve the adjournment proposal. | As of the record date, Foot Locker directors and executive officers, as a group, owned and were entitled to vote 322,159 shares of Foot Locker common stock, or approximately 0.34% of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock. Foot Locker currently expects that these directors and executive officers will vote their shares in favor of the merger agreement proposal and each of the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus, although none of them are obligated to do so. As of the record date, DICK’S Sporting Goods owned and is entitled to vote 4,269,998 shares of Foot Locker common stock, or approximately 4.47% of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock. We currently expect that DICK’S Sporting Goods will vote its shares in favor of the merger agreement proposal and each of the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus, although it is not obligated to do so. Foot Locker’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Foot Locker Board of Directors (see page 58) At its May 14, 2025 meeting held to evaluate the merger, the Foot Locker board of directors unanimously (i) determined that the terms of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, Foot Locker and its shareholders, (ii) determined that it is in the best interests of Foot Locker and its shareholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into the merger agreement and to consummate the merger, (iii) approved the execution and delivery by Foot Locker of the merger agreement and the performance by Foot Locker of its agreements and obligations thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, (iv) directed that the merger agreement be submitted to a vote at the special meeting and (v) resolved to recommend that the Foot Locker shareholders vote in favor of adoption of the merger agreement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS The Foot Locker board of directors unanimously recommends that Foot Locker shareholders vote “FOR” the merger agreement proposal, “FOR” the merger-related compensation proposal, and “FOR” the adjournment proposal. In evaluating the merger and the merger agreement and arriving at its determination, the Foot Locker board of directors consulted with Foot Locker’s senior management, Foot Locker’s financial advisor, Evercore, and Foot Locker’s outside legal counsel, Skadden, and considered a number of substantive factors, both positive and negative, and potential benefits and detriments of the merger to Foot Locker and its shareholders, as described in more detail in the section entitled “The Merger—Foot Locker’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Foot Locker Board of Directors.” Opinion of Foot Locker’s Financial Advisor (see page 66) Foot Locker retained Evercore to act as its financial advisor in connection with Foot Locker’s evaluation of strategic and financial alternatives, including the merger. As part of this engagement, Foot Locker requested that Evercore evaluate the fairness of the merger consideration pursuant to the merger agreement, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Foot Locker common stock (other than any holders of any cancelled shares or any converted shares). At a meeting of the Foot Locker board of directors held on May 14, 2025, Evercore rendered to the Foot Locker board of directors its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated May 14, 2025, that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions described in Evercore’s written opinion, the merger consideration was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Foot Locker common stock (other than any holders of any cancelled shares or any converted shares). The full text of the written opinion of Evercore, dated May 14, 2025, which sets forth, among other things, the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the scope of review undertaken in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex B and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety. You are urged to read Evercore’s opinion carefully and in its entirety. Evercore’s opinion was addressed to, and provided for the information and benefit of, the Foot Locker board of directors (solely in its capacity as such) in connection with its evaluation of the proposed merger. The opinion does not constitute a recommendation to the Foot Locker board of directors or to any other persons in respect of the merger, including as to how any holder of shares of Foot Locker common stock should vote or act in respect of the merger. Evercore’s opinion does not address the relative merits of the merger as compared to other business or financial strategies that might be available to Foot Locker, nor does it address the underlying business decision of Foot Locker to engage in the merger. For additional information, see the section entitled “The Merger—Opinion of Foot Locker’s Financial Advisor” and Annex B. Interests of Foot Locker’s Non-Employee Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (see page 75) In considering the recommendation of the Foot Locker board of directors with respect to the merger agreement proposal, you should be aware that Foot Locker’s non-employee directors and executive officers may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Foot Locker shareholders generally. The Foot Locker board of directors was aware of and considered, among other matters, these interests, to the extent such interests existed at the time in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement and the merger, in approving the merger agreement and the merger, and in recommending that the merger agreement be adopted by the Foot Locker shareholders. For a description of the interests of Foot Locker’s non-employee directors and executive officers in the merger, see the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Foot Locker’s Non-Employee Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.” Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences (see page 112) The exchange of shares of Foot Locker common stock for the merger consideration pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder (as defined in the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”) who receives the merger consideration in exchange for that U.S. holder’s shares of Foot Locker common stock will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the sum of the cash (including cash in lieu of any fractional
TABLE OF CONTENTS share of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock) and the fair market value of the DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock received by that U.S. holder in the merger and (ii) that U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Foot Locker common stock exchanged therefor. In certain circumstances, a holder of shares of Foot Locker common stock could be treated as receiving a dividend in an amount up to the cash consideration, but not the stock consideration, received by that holder in the merger. In light of such potential treatment, a holder of Foot Locker common stock that is not a U.S. holder (as defined in the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”) should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the possibility of being subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) with respect to the cash consideration received in the merger. For a more detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger, please see the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” Each Foot Locker shareholder should read the discussion under the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and should consult his, her or its tax advisor with respect to the particular tax considerations of the merger to such holder. Accounting Treatment of the Merger (see page 82) The merger will be accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting, with DICK’S Sporting Goods as the accounting acquirer in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). Under this method of accounting, the merger consideration will be allocated to Foot Locker’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of completion of the merger. The process of valuing the net assets of Foot Locker at the closing date, as well as evaluating accounting policies for conformity, is preliminary. Any differences between the estimated fair value of the consideration transferred and the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed will be recorded as goodwill. Accordingly, the merger consideration allocation and related adjustments reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information are preliminary and subject to revision based on a final determination of fair value. For more information, please see the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.” Financing of the Merger (see page 81) The merger is not conditioned upon any financing arrangements or contingencies. DICK’S Sporting Goods anticipates that the funds needed to complete the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be derived from a combination of cash on hand and third-party debt financing. In connection with its entry into the merger agreement, DICK’S Sporting Goods entered into a debt commitment letter on May 15, 2025 with a financial institution acting as the initial commitment party, which was supplemented by a joinder on May 30, 2025, pursuant to which certain additional financial institutions became party to the debt commitment letter and, together with the initial commitment party, committed to provide, subject to the terms and conditions of the debt commitment letter, a senior unsecured bridge facility in aggregate principal amount of $2.40 billion (which amount was reduced to $2.15 billion in connection with DICK’S Sporting Goods’ entry into a new revolving credit facility, described below). The availability of the bridge facility is conditioned on the consummation of the transactions in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement (subject to certain customary exceptions and qualifications) and certain other customary conditions. DICK’S Sporting Goods expects to replace the remaining commitments in respect of the bridge facility prior to the consummation of the transactions with the proceeds of the issuance of one or more series of senior unsecured debt securities and/or other incurrences of indebtedness (or commitments in respect thereof), including in connection with the Foot Locker Exchange Offer (described below). In connection with the merger, on June 6, 2025, DICK’S Sporting Goods commenced an offer to exchange (which we refer to as the “Foot Locker Exchange Offer”) any and all outstanding Foot Locker Notes for up to $400 million aggregate principal amount of new 4.000% Senior Notes issued by DICK’S Sporting Goods and a consent payment. In conjunction with the Foot Locker Exchange Offer, DICK’S Sporting Goods, on behalf of Foot Locker, solicited consents (which we refer to as the “Foot Locker Consent Solicitation”) to adopt certain proposed amendments to the Foot Locker Indenture to, among other changes, eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants, certain affirmative covenants and certain events of default. On June 20, 2025, DICK’S Sporting Goods,
TABLE OF CONTENTS on behalf of Foot Locker, received the requisite number of consents to adopt the proposed amendments, and Foot Locker entered into a supplemental indenture with the guarantors party thereto and the trustee for the Foot Locker Notes. The Foot Locker Exchange Offer and the Foot Locker Consent Solicitation are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the completion of the merger, and the proposed amendments will not become operative until immediately prior to the closing of the merger or immediately upon settlement of the Foot Locker Exchange Offer, depending on the specific amendment, and will cease to be operative if the merger is not consummated. The Foot Locker Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 1, 2025, unless extended. Also on June 6, 2025, DICK’S Sporting Goods entered into a new revolving credit agreement with certain financial institutions, providing for a new $2.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility, $250 million of which is available on a “certain funds” basis to fund the merger and otherwise on terms substantially consistent with DICK’S Sporting Goods’ old revolving credit facility. The new revolving credit facility will mature on June 6, 2030. In connection with entry into the new revolving credit agreement, DICK’S Sporting Goods terminated all commitments and repaid all obligations under its old credit agreement. Regulatory Clearances and Approvals Required for the Merger (see page 82) HSR Act and U.S. Antitrust Matters. The merger is subject to the requirements of the HSR Act, which prevents DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker from completing the merger until required information and materials are furnished to the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (which we refer to as the “DOJ”) and the Federal Trade Commission (which we refer to as the “FTC,” and collectively with the DOJ, the “U.S. Antitrust Agencies”) and the HSR Act waiting period is terminated or expires. DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker submitted the requisite notification and report forms under the HSR Act on June 23, 2025. Foreign Regulatory Clearances. The completion of the merger is subject to clearance under the antitrust laws of certain other jurisdictions, and the parties will file merger notifications pursuant to antitrust and competition laws with the appropriate regulators in such other jurisdictions. The parties must observe mandatory waiting periods and/or obtain the necessary approvals, clearances or consents pursuant to certain of these foreign laws before completing the merger. At any time before or after the completion of the merger, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act, the U.S. Antitrust Agencies or other state or foreign antitrust, competition and foreign investment authorities could take such action under the antitrust laws or the laws of their jurisdictions, as applicable, as they deem necessary under the applicable statutes, including seeking to enjoin the completion of the merger, seeking divestiture of substantial assets of the parties, or requiring the parties to license, or hold separate, assets, to terminate existing relationships and contractual rights, or to take other actions or agree to other restrictions limiting the freedom of action of the parties. In addition, at any time before or after the completion of the merger, and notwithstanding the termination or expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act, any state could take such action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary. Private parties may also seek to take legal action under the antitrust laws under certain circumstances. Although the parties expect that all required regulatory clearances and approvals will be obtained, the parties cannot assure you that these regulatory clearances and approvals will be timely obtained or obtained at all or that the granting of these regulatory clearances and approvals will not involve the imposition of additional conditions on the completion of the merger. These conditions could result in the conditions to the merger not being satisfied. For more information about regulatory approvals relating to the merger, see the section entitled “The Merger—Regulatory Clearances and Approvals Required for the Merger” and “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.” Expected Timing of the Merger (see page 83) DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker currently expect the merger to be completed in the second half of 2025, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including obtaining the requisite vote of Foot Locker shareholders, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act and the receipt of approvals or clearances required under the antitrust laws of certain other jurisdictions. However, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker cannot predict the actual date on which the merger will be completed because completion is subject to conditions beyond their control and it is possible that such conditions could result in the merger being completed earlier or later or not being completed at all. See the sections entitled “The Merger Agreement—Regulatory Approvals and Efforts to Close the Merger” and “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.” Also, see the section entitled “The Merger—Regulatory Clearances and Approvals Required for the Merger.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS Treatment of Foot Locker Equity Awards (see page 77) Treatment of Stock Options Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, each option to purchase Foot Locker common stock granted under the Foot Locker 2007 Stock Incentive Plan or granted as an inducement award (which we refer to as a “Foot Locker option”) that is outstanding and unexercised, whether or not vested, as of immediately prior to the effective time and that has a per share exercise price that is less than the cash consideration (each of which we refer to as an “in-the-money option”) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to (a) the number of shares of Foot Locker common stock subject to the Foot Locker option as of immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by (b) the excess (if any) of the cash consideration over the per share exercise price applicable to the Foot Locker option. At the effective time, each Foot Locker option that is not an in-the-money option which is outstanding and unexercised, whether or not vested, as of immediately prior to the effective time will be cancelled for no consideration. Treatment of Restricted Stock Units •Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, each restricted stock unit award granted under the Foot Locker 2007 Stock Incentive Plan or granted as an inducement award (which we refer to as a “Foot Locker RSU Award”) that is held by an individual who is not a non-employee director of Foot Locker and each performance stock unit award granted under the Foot Locker 2007 Stock Incentive Plan or granted as an inducement award (which we refer to as a “Foot Locker PSU Award”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time will be assumed and converted into a time-based restricted stock unit award in respect of a number of shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the total number of shares of Foot Locker common stock subject to the Foot Locker RSU Award or Foot Locker PSU Award, as applicable, as of immediately prior to the effective time by (b) the exchange ratio (i.e., 0.1168), with any fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, the number of shares of Foot Locker common stock subject to a Foot Locker PSU Award as of immediately prior to the effective time will be determined in accordance with the applicable award agreements.•Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, each Foot Locker RSU Award that is held by a non-employee director of Foot Locker and is outstanding, whether or not vested, as of immediately prior to the effective time will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to (a) the number of shares of Foot Locker common stock subject to the Foot Locker RSU Award as of immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by (b) the cash consideration. • | Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, each deferred stock unit award granted under the Foot Locker 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (which we refer to as a “Foot Locker DSU Award”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive, at the earliest time following the effective time permitted by the award terms that will not trigger any additional tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code, the cash consideration in respect of each share of Foot Locker common stock subject to the Foot Locker DSU Award as of immediately prior to the effective time. |
Listing of DICK’S Sporting Goods Common Stock; Delisting of Foot Locker Common Stock (see page 85) Shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock are currently listed on the NYSE under the symbol “DKS.” It is a condition to the consummation of the merger that the shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock to be issued to Foot Locker shareholders in the merger be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. Although the merger agreement provides that shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock issued in the merger will be listed on the NYSE, there can be no assurance that such shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock will continue to be listed in the future. Following the merger, Foot Locker common stock will be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered under the Exchange Act and will cease to be publicly traded.
TABLE OF CONTENTS No Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights (see page 85) Under Section 910 of the New York Business Corporation Law (which we refer to as the “NYBCL”), Foot Locker shareholders are not entitled to appraisal or dissenters’ rights in connection with the merger. For more information, see the section entitled “The Merger—No Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights.” No Solicitation of Other Offers by Foot Locker (see page 97) Under the terms of the merger agreement, from and after the date of the merger agreement until the earlier of the effective time or the date the merger agreement is validly terminated, Foot Locker has agreed not to, among other things, solicit, initiate, encourage or facilitate any competing acquisition proposals for Foot Locker, enter into negotiations with or furnish any nonpublic information about Foot Locker to any third parties regarding any actual or potential competing acquisition proposals or enter into any agreements with a third party regarding any competing acquisition proposals for Foot Locker. Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, if Foot Locker receives, prior to Foot Locker shareholders approving the merger agreement, an unsolicited competing acquisition proposal that the Foot Locker board of directors determines in good faith to be superior to the merger or reasonably be expected to lead to a proposal that is superior to the merger, subject to certain conditions set forth in the merger agreement, Foot Locker is permitted to engage in discussions and negotiations with the third party that sent the competing acquisition proposal (and its representatives and debt financing sources) and furnish nonpublic information to that third party (and its representatives and debt financing sources). Under the terms of the merger agreement and subject to certain conditions set forth therein (including the payment of a $59.5 million termination fee), prior to Foot Locker shareholders adopting the merger agreement, Foot Locker may terminate the merger agreement to accept a competing acquisition proposal that the Foot Locker board of directors has determined to be superior to the merger. See the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—No Solicitation of Other Offers by Foot Locker” and “The Merger Agreement—Change of Recommendation; Match Rights.” Conditions to the Merger (see page 105) The respective obligations of each party to effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary conditions, including, among other conditions, the adoption of the merger agreement by Foot Locker’s shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act and the receipt of approvals or clearances required under the antitrust laws of certain other jurisdictions. The obligations of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Merger Sub to effect the merger are also subject to the absence of a Foot Locker material adverse effect (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Material Adverse Effect”) after the date of the merger agreement that is continuing, the accuracy of Foot Locker’s representations and warranties and compliance by Foot Locker with its obligations and agreements under the merger agreement. The obligations of Foot Locker to effect the merger are also subject to the accuracy of DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Merger Sub’s representations and warranties and compliance by DICK’S Sporting Goods and Merger Sub with their obligations and agreements under the merger agreement. The merger agreement does not include a financing condition. For more information, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.” Under the terms of the merger agreement, the parties are required to close the merger on the third (3rd) business day following the date on which all closing conditions to the merger are satisfied or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waived. See the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Closing; Effective Time.” Termination of the Merger Agreement (see page 108) Among other customary circumstances, DICK’S Sporting Goods or Foot Locker may terminate the merger agreement if: •any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction has issued a final, non-appealable order, injunction, decree or ruling permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and
TABLE OF CONTENTS •the effective time of the merger has not occurred on or before May 15, 2026 (which we refer to as the “outside date”); however, (i) if, on the outside date, all of the conditions to the merger (other than those conditions relating to antitrust approvals or no injunction (to the extent the relevant injunction or order is in respect of, or any such law is, the HSR Act or any other antitrust law) and those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived on the closing date of the merger (if such conditions would be satisfied or validly waived were the closing of the merger to occur at such time)) have been satisfied or waived, then the outside date will be automatically extended for a period of three (3) months, (ii) if, on the outside date, as extended, all of the conditions to the merger (other than those conditions relating to antitrust approvals or no injunction (to the extent the relevant injunction or order is in respect of, or any such law is, the HSR Act or any other antitrust law) and those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived on the closing date of the merger (if such conditions would be satisfied or validly waived were the closing of the merger to occur at such time)), have been satisfied or waived, then the outside date, as extended, will automatically be further extended for an additional period of three (3) months and (iii) this right to terminate the merger agreement will not be available to any party whose action or failure to fulfill any obligation was a proximate cause of the failure of the effective time to occur by the outside date and such action or failure to act constitutes a material breach of the merger agreement. Among other customary circumstances, DICK’S Sporting Goods may terminate the merger agreement if the Foot Locker special meeting (including any adjournments or postponements thereof) has concluded and the Foot Locker shareholders have not adopted the merger agreement. Termination Fees and Expenses (see page 110) Foot Locker must pay DICK’S Sporting Goods a termination fee of $59.5 million if the merger agreement is terminated in certain circumstances including Foot Locker entering into a definitive agreement with respect to a competing acquisition proposal, Foot Locker’s board issuing an adverse recommendation change or a willful breach of Foot Locker’s non-solicitation obligations under the merger agreement. DICK’S Sporting Goods must pay Foot Locker a reverse termination fee of $95.5 million if the merger agreement is terminated in certain circumstances including as a result of certain required regulatory clearances not being obtained by the outside date. All other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby will generally be paid by the party incurring the costs and expenses. Comparison of Rights of DICK’S Sporting Goods Stockholders and Foot Locker Shareholders (see page 133) Upon the completion of the merger, Foot Locker shareholders receiving shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock will become stockholders of DICK’S Sporting Goods, and their rights will be governed by the governing corporate documents of DICK’S Sporting Goods in effect at the effective time of the merger, which are different from Foot Locker’s governing corporate documents, as further described in the section entitled “Comparison of Rights of DICK’S Sporting Goods Stockholders and Foot Locker Shareholders.” Risk Factors (see page 20) In evaluating the merger agreement, the merger and the proposals to be considered at the Foot Locker special meeting, you should carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus and give special consideration to the factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” together with information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus in deciding how to vote for the proposals presented in this proxy statement/prospectus. For more information, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” Litigation Related to the Merger (see page 85) Securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against public companies that have entered into acquisition, merger or other business combination agreements. Even if such lawsuits are without merit, defending against these claims can result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources. An adverse judgment could result in monetary damages, which could have a negative impact on DICK’S Sporting Goods’, Foot Locker’s and, as a result, the combined company’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, or result in an injunction delaying or preventing the completion of the merger.
TABLE OF CONTENTS As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker are unaware of any securities class action lawsuits or derivative lawsuits having been filed in connection with the merger. However, beginning on July 1, 2025, Foot Locker has received demand letters from certain purported shareholders of Foot Locker that allege deficiencies and/or omissions in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by DICK’S Sporting Goods with the SEC on June 23, 2025. The demand letters seek additional disclosures to remedy these purported deficiencies. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” for additional information regarding any such potential litigation. Market Price Information DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “DKS,” and Foot Locker common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “FL.” The following table shows the closing sale prices of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock and Foot Locker common stock as reported on the NYSE on May 14, 2025, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, and on July 7, 2025, the last practicable trading day before the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. This table also shows the implied value of the stock consideration that Foot Locker shareholders may receive in exchange for each share of Foot Locker common stock upon a stock election, which was calculated by multiplying the closing price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock on those dates by the exchange ratio of 0.1168. The table also shows the value of the cash consideration that Foot Locker shareholders may receive in exchange for each share of Foot Locker common stock upon a cash election. | | | | | | | | | | | | | May 14, 2025 | | | $12.87 | | | $209.61 | | | $24.48 | | | $24.00 | July 7, 2025 | | | $24.78 | | | $206.94 | | | $24.17 | | | $24.00 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The implied value of the stock consideration will fluctuate as the market price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock fluctuates because the stock consideration is payable in a fixed number of shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock. As a result, Foot Locker shareholders will not know the exact market value of the stock consideration they will receive until the effective time, and Foot Locker shareholders are encouraged to obtain current stock price quotations for DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock and Foot Locker common stock before deciding how to vote with respect to the merger agreement proposal or making an election with respect to their shares of Foot Locker common stock. For more information, see the sections entitled “The Merger—Terms of the Merger” and “The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS RISK FACTORS In addition to the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, including, among other things, the matters addressed in the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” Foot Locker shareholders should carefully consider the following material risks and uncertainties before deciding whether to vote in favor of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, or any of the other proposals to be presented at the Foot Locker special meeting and making any election decision with respect to their shares of Foot Locker common stock, including making a decision to invest in DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock by electing to exchange their shares of Foot Locker common stock for shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock in the merger. In addition, you should read and consider the risks associated with each of the businesses of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker because these risks will relate to the combined company following the completion of the merger. DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker describe some of these risks under the caption “Risk Factors” in their respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K most recently filed with the SEC and may include additional or updated disclosure of such material risks in their subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. You should also consider the other information in this proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. For further information regarding the documents incorporated into this document by reference, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” The realization of any of the risks described in this proxy statement/prospectus and in those documents incorporated by reference could have a material adverse effect on DICK’S Sporting Goods’, Foot Locker’s or the combined company’s business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations and could result in a decline in the trading prices of their respective common stock. Risks Relating to the Merger Because the stock election exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted for stock price changes and the market price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock has fluctuated and will continue to fluctuate, Foot Locker shareholders cannot be sure of the value of the consideration they will receive if they make a stock election. Upon completion of the merger, each issued and outstanding share of Foot Locker common stock (other than cancelled shares and converted shares) will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the Foot Locker shareholder, $24.00 cash, without interest, or 0.1168 shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock. Each Foot Locker shareholder may elect to receive (i) solely the cash consideration, (ii) solely the stock consideration or (iii) if the Foot Locker shareholder owns more than one share of Foot Locker common stock, a combination of the cash consideration for a selected number of shares and the stock consideration for the remaining number of shares. The market price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock at the time of completion of the merger may vary significantly from the market price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock on the date the merger agreement was executed, the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the date of the Foot Locker special meeting and the date on which Foot Locker shareholders make their election with respect to their shares of Foot Locker common stock. Because the stock consideration is payable in a fixed number of shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock, the value of the stock consideration that Foot Locker shareholders making a stock election receive upon completion of the merger may be greater than, less than or the same as the value of the stock consideration on such earlier dates. However, the cash consideration that Foot Locker shareholders may elect to receive for their shares of Foot Locker common stock will remain at $24.00 (subject to adjustment for certain extraordinary transactions, including any stock splits, divisions or subdivisions of shares, as set forth in the merger agreement). If a Foot Locker shareholder makes a stock election and the market value of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock falls between the time of the election and the time the stock consideration is actually received, the value of the stock consideration received may be less than the value of the cash consideration such Foot Locker shareholder would have received under a cash election. Conversely, if a Foot Locker shareholder makes a cash election and the market value of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock rises between the time of the election and the time the cash consideration is actually received, the value of the cash consideration received may be less than the value of the stock consideration such Foot Locker shareholder would have received under a stock election. Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors, including, among others, general market and economic conditions, changes in DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Foot Locker’s respective businesses, operations and prospects, market assessments of the likelihood that the merger will be completed, the timing of the merger, regulatory considerations and other risk factors set forth or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. Many
TABLE OF CONTENTS of these factors are beyond DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Foot Locker’s control. Foot Locker shareholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock and Foot Locker common stock when they make their elections. Completion of the merger is subject to the conditions contained in the merger agreement and if these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the merger will not be completed. The obligations of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions, including, among others, the adoption of the merger agreement by Foot Locker’s shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Foot Locker common stock, the expiration or termination of the regulatory waiting periods under the HSR Act, and the receipt of approvals or clearances required under the antitrust laws of certain other jurisdictions. For a more complete summary of the required regulatory approvals and the closing conditions, see the sections entitled “The Merger—Regulatory Clearances and Approvals Required for the Merger” and “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.” Although DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker have agreed in the merger agreement to use their reasonable best efforts to complete the merger as promptly as practicable, many of the closing conditions are not within DICK’S Sporting Goods’ or Foot Locker’s control, and neither company can predict when or if these conditions will be satisfied. If any of these conditions are not satisfied or waived prior to May 15, 2026, which deadline may be extended to August 15, 2026 and again to November 15, 2026 under certain circumstances, it is possible that the merger agreement will be terminated. The failure to satisfy all of the required conditions could delay the completion of the merger for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. There can be no assurance that the closing conditions will be satisfied or waived or that the merger will be completed. If the conditions are not satisfied or, subject to applicable law, waived, the merger will not occur or will be delayed and each of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker may lose some or all of the intended benefits of the merger. In the event that the parties determine to waive any of the conditions to the closing of the merger, such decision may have an adverse effect on Foot Locker and DICK’S Sporting Goods and their shareholders and stockholders, respectively. In addition, upon termination of the merger agreement under specified circumstances, including the termination by either party because certain required regulatory clearances either are not obtained before the outside date or are denied, DICK’S Sporting Goods would be required to pay Foot Locker a reverse termination fee of $95.5 million. For additional information, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination Fees and Expenses.” The merger is subject to the expiration of applicable waiting periods and the receipt of approvals, consents or clearances from regulatory authorities in the United States and certain other jurisdictions that may impose conditions that could have an adverse effect on DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker or the combined company or, if not obtained, could prevent completion of the merger. Before the merger may be completed, any waiting period (or extension thereof) applicable to the merger must have expired or been terminated, and any approvals, consents or clearances required in connection with the merger must have been obtained, in each case, under the HSR Act and under the antitrust laws of certain other jurisdictions. In deciding whether to grant the required regulatory approval, consent or clearance, the relevant governmental entities will consider the effect of the merger on competition within their relevant jurisdiction. The terms and conditions of the approvals, consents and clearances that are granted may impose requirements, limitations or costs or place restrictions on the conduct of the combined company’s business following the completion of the merger. Under the merger agreement, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain such approvals, consents and clearances and therefore may be required to comply with certain conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions imposed by governmental authorities. There can be no assurance that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying completion of the merger or imposing additional material costs on or materially limiting the revenues of the combined company following the completion of the merger. In addition, there can be no assurance that any such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment of the merger. See the sections entitled “The Merger—Regulatory Clearances and Approvals Required for the Merger” and “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS Foot Locker’s non-employee directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a Foot Locker shareholder more generally. In considering the recommendation of the Foot Locker board of directors that Foot Locker shareholders approve the merger agreement proposal and the merger-related compensation proposal, Foot Locker shareholders should be aware that Foot Locker’s non-employee directors and executive officers may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Foot Locker shareholders generally. The Foot Locker board of directors was aware of and considered, among other matters, these interests, to the extent such interests existed at the time, in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement and the merger, in approving the merger agreement and the merger, and in recommending that the merger agreement be adopted by the Foot Locker shareholders. For a description of the interests of Foot Locker’s non-employee directors and executive officers in the merger, see the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Foot Locker’s Non-Employee Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.” The merger agreement limits Foot Locker’s ability to pursue alternatives to the merger and may discourage other companies from trying to acquire Foot Locker. The merger agreement contains provisions that make it more difficult for Foot Locker to sell its business to a party other than DICK’S Sporting Goods. These provisions include a general prohibition on Foot Locker soliciting any company takeover proposal or offer for a competing transaction. In addition, upon termination of the merger agreement, Foot Locker would be required to pay DICK’S Sporting Goods a termination fee of $59.5 million if the merger agreement is terminated in certain circumstances, including Foot Locker entering into a definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal, an adverse recommendation change or a willful breach of Foot Locker’s non-solicitation obligations under the merger agreement. It is possible that the provisions of the merger agreement could discourage a potential acquiror that might have had an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of Foot Locker from considering or proposing that acquisition, even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share cash or market value than the consideration DICK’S Sporting Goods proposes to pay in the merger or might result in a potential competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire Foot Locker than it might otherwise have proposed to pay because of the termination fee that may become payable to DICK’S Sporting Goods in certain circumstances described in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination Fees and Expenses.” DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger is pending. Uncertainty about the effect of the merger on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker and, as a result, the combined company. These uncertainties may impair DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Foot Locker’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the merger is completed, and could cause customers, business partners and others that deal with DICK’S Sporting Goods or Foot Locker to seek to change existing business relationships with DICK’S Sporting Goods or Foot Locker. In addition, pursuant to the merger agreement and subject to certain exceptions, both DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker agreed not to take certain actions prior to the closing of the merger. The merger agreement subjects Foot Locker to restrictions on its business activities and obligates Foot Locker to generally conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business. These restrictions could cause DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker to be unable to pursue certain beneficial opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the merger and could have an adverse effect on DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker’s and the combined company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. The business relationships of DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker and their respective subsidiaries may be subject to disruption due to uncertainty associated with the merger, which could have an adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker and, as a result, the combined company. Parties with which DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker or their respective subsidiaries do business may be uncertain as to the effects the merger may have on them, including with respect to current or future business relationships with DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker or their respective subsidiaries. These relationships may be subject to disruption as customers, suppliers and other persons with whom DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker have business relationships may delay or defer certain business decisions or might decide to terminate, change or
TABLE OF CONTENTS renegotiate their relationships with DICK’S Sporting Goods or Foot Locker or consider entering into business relationships with parties other than DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker or their respective subsidiaries. These disruptions could have an adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker and the combined company, including an adverse effect on DICK’S Sporting Goods’ ability to realize the expected synergies and other benefits of the merger. The risk, and adverse effect, of any disruption could be exacerbated by a delay in completion of the merger or termination of the merger agreement. Uncertainties associated with the merger may cause a loss of management personnel and other key employees of DICK’S Sporting Goods or Foot Locker, which could adversely affect the future business and operations of the combined company following the merger. DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker are dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of their officers and other key employees to execute their business plans. The combined company’s success after the merger will depend in part upon its ability to retain key management personnel and other key employees of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker. Current and prospective employees of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker may be uncertain about their future roles with the combined company following the merger, which may materially adversely affect the ability of each of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker to attract and retain key personnel during the pendency of the merger. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the combined company will be able to retain key management personnel and other key employees of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker. DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker will incur direct and indirect costs as a result of the merger. DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker expect to incur significant non-recurring costs associated with combining the operations of Foot Locker with the operations of DICK’S Sporting Goods. These costs include legal, financial advisory, accounting, consulting and other advisory fees, severance/employment-related costs, public company filing fees and other regulatory fees and other related costs. DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker and, as a result, the combined company, may incur additional costs or suffer loss of business under third-party contracts that are terminated, and/or losses of, or decreases in orders by, customers, and may also incur costs to maintain employee morale and to retain certain key management personnel and employees. DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker will also incur transaction fees and costs related to formulating integration plans, and the execution of these plans may lead to additional unanticipated costs and time delays. Factors beyond DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Foot Locker’s control could affect the total amount or timing of these expenses, many of which, by their nature, are difficult to estimate accurately. Although DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker expect that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, may offset incremental transaction and merger-related costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all. Whether or not the merger is consummated, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker will incur substantial expenses in pursuing the merger and may adversely impact DICK’S Sporting Goods’, Foot Locker’s and the combined company’s earnings. Failure to complete the merger could negatively affect the stock price and the future business and financial results of Foot Locker. If the merger is not completed for any reason, including as a result of Foot Locker shareholders failing to approve the merger agreement proposal, the ongoing business of Foot Locker may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the merger, Foot Locker could be subject to a number of negative consequences, including the following: •Foot Locker may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on its stock price; •Foot Locker may experience negative reactions from its customers and suppliers; | • | Foot Locker may experience negative reactions from its employees and may not be able to retain key management personnel and other key employees; |
• | Foot Locker will have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant non-recurring costs in connection with the merger that it may be unable to recover; |
• | the merger agreement places certain restrictions on the conduct of Foot Locker’s business prior to completion of the merger, the waiver of which is subject to the consent of DICK’S Sporting Goods (not |
TABLE OF CONTENTS to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), which may prevent Foot Locker from making certain acquisitions, taking certain other specified actions or otherwise pursuing business opportunities during the pendency of the merger that may be beneficial to Foot Locker (see the sections entitled “The Merger Agreement—Conduct of Business of Foot Locker Pending the Closing of the Merger” and “The Merger Agreement—Conduct of Business of DICK’S Sporting Goods Pending the Closing of the Merger” for a description of the restrictive covenants applicable to Foot Locker); and •matters relating to the merger (including integration planning) will require substantial commitments of time and resources by Foot Locker management, which could otherwise be devoted to day-to-day operations and other opportunities that may be beneficial to Foot Locker as an independent company. If the merger is not completed, Foot Locker shareholders will be subject to the business and execution risks related to Foot Locker’s strategic plan and the uncertainties associated with the near- and long-term risks and challenges in continuing to implement such plan, the structural risks inherent in Foot Locker’s business model, and the risk that, if Foot Locker remains independent, Foot Locker common stock might not trade at levels equal to or greater than the value of the merger consideration in the near term, over an extended period of time or at all, each as described in more detail in the section entitled “The Merger—Foot Locker’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Foot Locker Board of Directors.” In addition, upon termination of the merger agreement, under certain circumstances, Foot Locker would be required to pay DICK’S Sporting Goods a termination fee of $59.5 million, including Foot Locker entering into a definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal, an adverse recommendation change or a willful breach of Foot Locker’s non-solicitation obligations under the merger agreement. Finally, Foot Locker could be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the merger or related to any enforcement proceeding commenced against Foot Locker to perform its obligations under the merger agreement. If the merger is not completed, any of these risks may materialize and may adversely affect Foot Locker’s business, financial condition, financial results and stock price. The merger agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and the merger may not be completed. Such failure to complete the merger contemplated by the merger agreement could cause DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Foot Locker’s results to be adversely affected or have a material and adverse effect on DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Foot Locker’s respective common stock prices and results of operations. If the merger is not completed for any reason, including as a result of Foot Locker shareholders failing to approve the merger agreement, there may be various adverse consequences, and DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker may experience negative reactions from the financial markets and from their respective customers and employees. Moreover, DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Foot Locker’s respective common stock prices may decline because costs related to such merger, such as legal, accounting and financial advisory fees, must be paid even if such merger is not completed. Moreover, DICK’S Sporting Goods may be required to pay a reverse termination fee of $95.5 million to Foot Locker upon a termination of the merger agreement in certain circumstances, and Foot Locker may be required to pay a termination of $59.5 million to DICK’S Sporting Goods upon a termination of the merger agreement in certain circumstances. In addition, if the merger is not completed, whether because of the parties’ failure to receive required regulatory approvals in a timely fashion or because one of the parties has breached its obligations in a way that permits the other party to terminate the merger agreement, or for any other reason, DICK’S Sporting Goods’ and Foot Locker’s respective common stock prices may be affected to the extent that the current market prices reflect a market assumption that the merger will be completed. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus is preliminary and the actual financial condition and results of operations after the merger may differ materially from them. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the combined company’s actual financial condition or results of operations would have been had the merger been completed on the dates indicated. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects adjustments, which are based upon assumptions, preliminary estimates and accounting reclassifications, to record the Foot Locker identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value and the resulting goodwill recognized. The purchase price allocation reflected in this proxy statement/prospectus is preliminary, and final allocation of the purchase price will be based upon the actual purchase price and the fair value of the assets and liabilities of Foot Locker as of the date of the
TABLE OF CONTENTS completion of the merger. Accordingly, the final accounting adjustments as a result of the acquisition may differ materially from the pro forma adjustments reflected in this proxy statement/prospectus. For more information, see the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.” Completion of the merger may trigger change in control provisions in certain agreements to which Foot Locker is a party. The completion of the merger may trigger change in control provisions in certain agreements to which Foot Locker is a party. If Foot Locker and DICK’S Sporting Goods are unable to negotiate waivers of those provisions, the counterparties may exercise their rights and remedies under the agreements, potentially terminating the agreements or seeking monetary damages. Even if Foot Locker and DICK’S Sporting Goods are able to negotiate waivers, the counterparties may require a fee for such waivers or seek to renegotiate the agreements on terms less favorable to Foot Locker or DICK’S Sporting Goods. Lawsuits may in the future be filed against Foot Locker, its directors, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Merger Sub or any one of them challenging the merger, and an adverse ruling in any such lawsuit may prevent completing the merger or completing the merger within the expected timeframe and/or result in substantial costs to DICK’S Sporting Goods, Foot Locker and the combined company. Securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against public companies that have entered into acquisition, merger or other business combination agreements like the merger agreement. Even if such lawsuits are without merit, defending against these claims can result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources. An adverse judgment could result in monetary damages, which could have a negative impact on DICK’S Sporting Goods’, Foot Locker’s and, as a result, the combined company’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Further, one of the conditions to the completion of the merger is that no injunction or law by any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction will be in effect that has the effect of restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the merger. As such, if an injunction prohibiting the consummation of the merger is obtained, that injunction may prevent the merger from becoming effective or from becoming effective within the expected timeframe. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker are unaware of any securities class action lawsuits or derivative lawsuits having been filed in connection with the merger. However, beginning on July 1, 2025, Foot Locker has received demand letters from certain purported shareholders of Foot Locker that allege deficiencies and/or omissions in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by DICK’S Sporting Goods with the SEC on June 23, 2025. The demand letters seek additional disclosures to remedy these purported deficiencies. Risks Relating to DICK’S Sporting Goods Following Completion of the Merger The dilution that may be caused by the issuance of shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock in connection with the merger may adversely affect the market price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Foot Locker shareholders may elect to receive either cash or shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock as consideration for their shares of Foot Locker common stock. The dilution that may be caused by the issuance of new shares of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock to Foot Locker shareholders in connection with the payment of the stock consideration may result in fluctuations in the market price of DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock, including a DICK’S Sporting Goods common stock price decrease. In addition, if former Foot Locker shareholders sell substantial amounts of the combined company’s common stock in the public market following consummation of the merger, this could decrease the market price of the combined company’s common stock. DICK’S Sporting Goods expects to obtain financing in connection with the merger and cannot guarantee that it will be able to obtain such financing on favorable terms. DICK’S Sporting Goods intends to finance a portion of the merger through a combination of cash-on-hand, revolving borrowings and other new debt. DICK’S Sporting Goods’ ability to obtain any such new debt financing will depend on, among other factors, prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond DICK’S Sporting Goods’
TABLE OF CONTENTS control. DICK’S Sporting Goods cannot assure you that it will be able to obtain new debt financing on terms acceptable to it, and any such failure could materially adversely affect its and the combined company’s operations and financial condition. DICK’S Sporting Goods’ obligation to complete the merger is not conditioned upon the receipt of any financing. DICK’S Sporting Goods may be unable to successfully operate the Foot Locker business or realize the cost synergies or other anticipated benefits of the merger. Although DICK’S Sporting Goods expects significant cost synergies and other benefits to result from the merger, there can be no assurance that DICK’S Sporting Goods will actually realize any of them, or realize them within the anticipated timeframe. DICK’S Sporting Goods expects to operate Foot Locker as a standalone business unit within its portfolio and maintain the Foot Locker brands and expects to grow the business by applying operational expertise. Achieving the anticipated cost synergies and other benefits will depend, in part, on DICK’S Sporting Goods’ ability to operate Foot Locker’s business successfully and integrate certain of its operations efficiently. The challenges involved with the merger, which will be complex and time consuming, include the following: | |
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