Academy Sports + Outdoors Appoints Brandy Treadway as Chief Legal Officer

Academy Sports + Outdoors has announced the appointment of Brandy Treadway as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary. In her new role, Treadway will oversee Legal, Compliance and Risk Management functions for the retailer, supporting corporate operations, distribution centers, and more than 300 retail stores nationwide.

This high-level leadership change underscores Academy Sports + Outdoors’ commitment to strengthening its executive team as it continues to expand across the U.S.

Brandy Treadway’s Background

Treadway brings to the Academy a wealth of legal and corporate leadership experience spanning some of the nation’s most recognized companies.

Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary at RumbleOn, an automotive e-commerce platform based in Irving, TX. Before that, she spent time as a corporate partner at Martin Powers & Counsel, PLLC, where she was deeply engaged in corporate transactions and advisory.

Notably, Treadway also served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at JCPenney during a transformative era for the retailer, leveraging her expertise to support large-scale operations, compliance, and strategic initiatives. Throughout her career, she has held multiple executive and leadership positions that position her well for this new chapter.

At Academy, Treadway will report directly to CEO Steve Lawrence, partnering with the executive leadership team on governance, operational growth, and strategic oversight.

Why This Appointment Matters

For retailers in the sporting goods sector, legal leadership is a critical function. Academy Sports + Outdoors (often known simply as Academy) operates across 21 states with a growing footprint, and managing risk, compliance, and corporate responsibility remains essential as the brand scales.

By bringing in a leader with multi-industry expertise, from retail giants like JCPenney to specialized firms like RumbleOn, Academy is signaling a sharpened focus on strengthening internal frameworks while sustaining its consumer promise of “Fun for All.”

Strategically, this appointment comes as the Academy continues to compete in a crowded sporting goods and outdoor recreation market, dominated by peers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and digital-first platforms like Amazon, in categories including outdoor gear, sportswear, and recreational equipment.

Academy Sports + Outdoors’ Trajectory

Founded in 1938 in Texas, Academy has evolved from a family-owned business to a leading sporting goods destination, boasting over 300 stores and an expanding digital presence at academy.com.

The company’s mix of leading national brands and private labels across outdoor, apparel, footwear, and recreation has broadened its consumer base while fueling revenue growth. Executives have also emphasized the role of localized merchandising strategies, tailoring inventory and assortment to match the unique demands of regional communities.

The company is publicly traded on the Nasdaq (ASO) and maintains a robust set of investor relations resources, where updates on corporate governance, quarterly performance, and risk disclosures are available.

With Treadway joining as CLO and Corporate Secretary, Academy positions itself to navigate regulatory, compliance, and governance challenges more effectively, a growing priority for retailers facing rapid shifts in supply chain dynamics, consumer behavior, and ESG expectations.

Looking Ahead

This leadership appointment reinforces the Academy’s mission to operate with discipline and sustainability, ensuring that as the company grows, its governance and compliance practices remain as strong as its consumer proposition.

While no direct quotes were issued in this announcement, Academy has made clear through this move that executive bench strength is a key priority as the company continues its expansion path.