The other day I was at Academy and noticed that their fishing section really didn't have much. I told my friend about it and he said they were getting bought out and that is all they were going to have because they are turning it into more of an appearal store. So today I read that the KKR group is buying the majority of the stake in Academy. Has anybody else heard this?

Didn't they already get bought out a few years ago? I think you are a few years late with this news. Unless they are getting bought out yet again but that wouldn't make a whole lot of sense considering they just got bought out.

http://www.kkr.com/partners/portfolio-partners

2011 it happened.

All the Academy stores in this area a Chock full of fishing gear!

There are several around here. I shop at two of them, and have seen no obvious signs of downgrading the fishing departments.
But, they're not going to match the Bass Pro Shop.

I really thought once they got bought out, they were going make a lot of changes, not seen any?

Too much rumor and propaganda. Only believe what comes documented from an official source.

They still have a good bit of product around here but the quality of what product they do have has gone way down IMO. Mainly in the rod section. But, cant complain to much when you find those boxes of .88cent plastics for sale.

KKR is a investment firm. They buy to resale! The Academys around here are resetting there stores, they do that alot. They have moved to selling more private lable product.

Selection at all the academys in my area has dropped recently as well. Seems like they eliminated an isle.

Academy changed hand last year.

It was family owned, but now corp owned.

Still a great place to shop

I've noticed the selection on things like Zoom worms and powerbait has shrunk recently and yeah, I see more and more product being replaced by the Academy made in China knock offs. For the most part stuff like the H2O hard baits seem to be pretty decent. Not sure about the rods though. Those Ethos rods sure look and feel nice though. Might have to try one.

I shop at 4 academy stores in the DFW area and all of them have reduced their fishing departments by 2 aisles and carry less high end products now. I'll still shop there often though, great prices and still a great selection on everything else, but kinda sucks on the fishing side.

i talked to a cashier one day about why they had no bags and he said the headcourters somewhere is in complete controll of what they get,the managers dont get to decide.
they hadnt had small bags in 2 weeks.

Plus #1. If they went to a strictly clothing store I would not think they would stay in business very long. Just my two cents.