DICK'S Sporting Goods vs Fanatics

Dick's Retail Media Network Pitches Youth Sports Audiences to Advertisers

Dick's Sporting Goods is expanding its retail media efforts, pitching advertisers on reaching 'sporthood' families through its youth sports ecosystem. Speaking at Ascendant Network's Showcase, David Young, VP of Dick's Media, highlighted the company's reach of 70 million consumers across its brands, including GameChanger, a youth sports streaming app with over 9 million users. Dick's aims to attract CPG brands, quick-service restaurants, and automakers to advertise through in-store digital screens, audio, and other channels. A survey with eMarketer found 84% of parents say youth sports influence their purchase decisions, supporting Dick's pitch that its audience has broad purchase intent beyond sporting goods.

• Dick's Media reaches 70 million consumers across its brands, including GameChanger.
• GameChanger app serves over 9 million users annually for youth sports streaming and stats.
• 63% of U.S. parents have children in youth sports, with 84% saying it influences purchases (eMarketer survey).

Amazon Prime members get free Alexa+ access

Amazon has made its agentic AI assistant, Alexa+, free for all Prime members in the U.S., completing its rollout. Non-Prime members can access the full Alexa+ for $19.99 per month, or a free text-based version. The move comes as Amazon reports strong growth in Prime membership, with double-digit year-over-year growth in Q2 2026. Shoppers who tried Alexa+ signed up for Prime at a nearly 25% higher rate. This perk is part of a broader trend among retailers to enhance loyalty programs, with Walmart adding new benefits to Walmart+ and Dick's Sporting Goods launching ScoreCard+.

• Amazon made Alexa+ free for all Prime members in the U.S.
• Non-Prime members can subscribe to Alexa+ for $19.99 per month.
• Prime membership grew double digits year-over-year in Q2 2026.

Nike and Foot Locker open Crenshaw community hub

Nike and Foot Locker partnered to open a neighborhood-focused store called The Crenshaw Rec by Foot Locker in Los Angeles’ Crenshaw area, announced via a joint press release. The concept is positioned as both a shopping destination and a community hub, with features including a gym, equipment room, creative workspaces and a resource center offering local programming. The space was developed with local partners including Crenshaw High School, local vendors, Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Brand and Los Angeles designer Gavin Mathieu. The launch comes as Foot Locker undergoes a broader store-refresh program under new owner Dick’s Sporting Goods; Foot Locker’s CMO Brett O’Brien commented on the company’s community investment commitment. The article was published August 18, 2026.

• Foot Locker and Nike announced a partnership to open a neighborhood store in Los Angeles’ Crenshaw area via a joint press release.
• The new store is called The Crenshaw Rec by Foot Locker and is described as both a shopping destination and community hub.
• Store features include a gym, an equipment room, creative workspaces and a resource center offering local programming.

Fanatics Renews Trading Card Deal Surrounding Men's And Women's UEFA Champions League Competitions

Fanatics Renews Trading Card Deal Surrounding Men's And Women's UEFA Champions League Competitions (September 2, 2026). Also, Fanatics Named Exclusive Retail Partner of the DP World Tour and Ryder Cup Europe (August 18, 2026).

Clucky Alarm App Wakes Users with Crowing Rooster Missions

Clucky, a new iPhone alarm app for habitual snoozers, has launched, featuring a rooster wake-up sound and requiring users to complete missions to turn off the alarm. Founded by former Fanatics software engineer Adrian Angelo Abelarde, the app offers various alarm sounds and missions like math problems, memory games, and physical activities. It includes a stats section with a 'Rooster Report' and a 'Nest' feature for group wake-ups. The app is available on the App Store with a pro subscription at $39.99 per year, joining a category of challenge-based alarm apps like Alarmy and Awake.

• Clucky is a new alarm app for iPhone launched, featuring a crowing rooster sound.
• The app requires users to complete missions (e.g., math problems, memory games) to turn off the alarm.
• Clucky was founded by Adrian Angelo Abelarde, a former software engineer at Fanatics.

Abercrombie & Fitch, Fanatics team up to expand NFL collection distribution

Abercrombie & Fitch has a new deal in place with NFL e-commerce partner Fanatics which will allow for A&F’s NFL collection to be “sold on nflshop.com, in NFL stadium stores and on official team e-commerce sites as well as on fanatics.com and in Abercrombie stores and online.