Academy Sports + Outdoors Announces Multi-Year Partnership With Orlando City Soccer Club In Time For March 6 Store Openings

Four Central Florida stores set to open in Kissimmee, Waterford, Lake Mary and Melbourne

Katy, TX /PRNewswire/ - Academy, Ltd. (d/b/a Academy Sports + Outdoors), a $4 billion, premier sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer, entered into a multi-year partnership with Orlando City Soccer Club beginning with the team's inaugural 2015 season. In addition, Academy Sports + Outdoors has confirmed the stores' official opening date. All four new stores located in Kissimmee, Waterford, Lake Mary and Melbourne will open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. on March 6.

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

Academy Sports + Outdoors is now the Official Sporting Goods Retailer of Orlando City Soccer Club. In addition to having the opportunity to interact with fans at the team's home games, Academy Sports + Outdoors will also support the team's youth development program and a variety of soccer camps and clinics for the community.

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

Academy Sports + Outdoors is also a Proud Partner of UCF Athletics.

All four stores are approximately 63,000 square feet of sports, outdoor and lifestyle products for the whole family at everyday low prices. Specific opening details and locations can be found at academy.com/centralflorida. Each store will provide many of the same top name brands and services found at Academy Sports + Outdoors locations throughout northern Florida, as well as a broad selection of casual and athletic footwear and apparel; team sports and golf products; patio furniture; barbecue grills; along with hunting, fishing and camping equipment.

Prior to the store opening, customers can shop academy.com, receive the digital version of the weekly ad, engage with Academy Sports + Outdoors through its social media sites, sign up for email and SMS text alerts, or visit any of the other five Florida stores.

About Academy Sports + Outdoors
Academy Sports + Outdoors is a premier sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer with a broad assortment of quality hunting, fishing and camping equipment and gear along with sports and leisure products, footwear, apparel and much more. The $4 billion company operates 190 stores throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, where the company is based. The Academy Sports + Outdoors philosophy is to deliver an unparalleled shopping experience by providing convenience, offering a broad selection of quality products, delivering exceptional customer service and selling the right stuff at everyday low prices. For more information about Academy Sports + Outdoors visit academy.com, facebook.com/academy, twitter.com/academy, pinterest.com/academy, youtube.com/academy and instagram.com/academy.

About Orlando City Soccer Club
The Lions' first team set the U.S. record for best start of any professional soccer club in its first 100 league matches (66-12-22). Orlando City has won three USL PRO regular season titles and two postseason championships. Outside of the first squad, OCSC also has a youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U-23 team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com and www.OrlandoCityYouth.org.

The 2015 Major League Soccer season kicks off at the Orlando Citrus Bowl as the Lions host New York City FC on March 8, 2015 at5:00 p.m. To purchase Season Tickets, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY. Also, follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.