20 September 2007

Everlast engages in the design, manufacture, import, and sale of boxing and fitness related sporting goods in the United States and is the worldwide licensor of the Everlast brand for apparel, footwear, sporting goods equipment and other active lifestyle products and accessories. Since 1910, Everlast has been the pre-eminent brand in the world of boxing and among the most recognised brands in the overall sporting goods and apparel industries.

This acquisition of Everlast is in line with Sports Direct''s strategy of acquiring further brands whose heritage and core values are consistent with Sports Direct''s existing group brands portfolio. By cross-leveraging the technical expertise and know-how within the Sports Direct and Everlast businesses, Sports Direct sees opportunities for efficiencies in research and development and to accelerate new product development in boxing and related fitness categories. Moreover, Everlast''s platform in the US market, where Sports Direct currently has a limited presence, will enable Sports Direct to launch other group brands into the US market as well as provide the opportunity to derive benefits from an optimised US distribution network.

Investor Day

Following today''s acquisition, Sports Direct''s management team anticipates considerable additional and immediate workload relating to Everlast''s successful integration.  As a result, management has decided to postpone the investor and analyst day which it was scheduled to host at Shirebrook on 25th September 2007. Investors and analysts will be informed of the new date once it has been agreed.