S E7: Dick's Sporting Goods Exec Chairman Ed Stack: A Masterclass in Sports Business + Top Golf Gift Ideas

S E7: Dick's Sporting Goods Exec Chairman Ed Stack: A Masterclass in Sports Business + Top Golf Gift Ideas

Author: Big Swing Media December 3, 2025 Duration: 54:09
What do golf gift ideas, holiday shopping trends, and a $14 billion sporting goods empire have in common? This episode.Jimmy Roberts opens with sports business journalist Mollie Cahillane, breaking down the best golf gifts of the season — from wearable tech and simulators to custom balls and bucket-list travel experiences.Then the show shifts to a rare, in-depth conversation with Ed Stack, the longtime CEO and now Executive Chairman of Dick’s Sporting Goods — a company he grew from two stores in Binghamton to more than 800 locations and $14B+ in annual sales.Stack pulls back the curtain on:• Why he told his senior team “we’re breaking up with Wall Street” and stopped chasing quarterly expectations• Nearly losing the company — twice — and the lessons that shaped its turnaround• How Dick’s became the largest golf retailer in America• The battles with manufacturers and the PGA of America when they first entered the golf equipment business• Why golfers shop differently today — and how fittings transformed retail• Concerns about rising equipment costs and the ball rollback debate• The growth of women’s and youth golf• Why culture, customer focus, and “never falling in love with yourself” still guide the company today• His emotional connection to the Dick’s PGA TOUR Champions event in his hometown• The massive Foot Locker acquisition and what’s next for the businessIt’s a masterclass in leadership, reinvention, and the evolution of sports retail — with some of the most honest, self-aware reflections you’ll hear from a Fortune 500 leader.🎧 Subscribe for new episodes📺 Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify#EdStack #DicksSportingGoods #TheBigSwing #GolfBusiness #JimmyRoberts #SportsBusiness See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by sixteen-time Emmy winner and broadcasting legend Jimmy Roberts, The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts goes far beyond the fairway. This isn't just another sports interview series; it's a deep exploration of the powerful forces and fascinating personalities driving the modern golf industry. Each episode features an intimate, one-on-one conversation with the executives, celebrities, and elite athletes who are actively shaping the game's future, from groundbreaking deals and major investments to the cultural trends redefining the sport. You'll hear candid stories and gain unparalleled access to the boardrooms and backstories behind the headlines. Presented by Big Swing Media, this podcast delivers a unique blend of sports, business, and insider perspective, offering listeners a sophisticated look at where the game is headed next. Tune in for thoughtful dialogues that reveal the strategy and passion fueling golf's biggest swings, both on and off the course.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 46

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts
Podcast Episodes
S E38: The Training Method Behind Scottie Scheffler's Breakthrough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:25
The biggest threat to your golf game may not be your swing. It may be what your body is doing during the rest of the day.In this YouTube-exclusive episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Dr. Jer…
S E37: How Stanford Built a Women’s Golf Powerhouse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:58
Stanford women’s golf has become one of the most dominant programs in college golf — but Anne Walker’s approach goes far beyond swing mechanics.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with St…
S E36: Tiger Woods’ Former Agent Finally Tells the Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
Before Tiger Woods became a global business empire, Hughes Norton was helping build the foundation.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Hughes Norton — the legendary former IMG agent…
S E35: Golf’s Money Problem Is Finally Out in the Open [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:44
Golf is booming — but the business behind the game has never been more complicated.In this special live episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, recorded ahead of the U.S. Open, Jimmy sits down for two separate conve…
S E34: McLaren's Bold Bet on Golf with Hoyt McGarity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:49
Why would one of the most iconic brands in motorsports decide to enter one of the most competitive industries in sports?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Hoyt McGarity, President of 8AM Golf…
S E33: Arthur Blank Bet on Himself... and Won [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:42
How do you go from getting fired to building one of the most successful companies in American history?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Arthur Blank, the billionaire entrepreneur, philanthrop…
S E30: Paige Spiranac on Fame, Hate & Building a Golf Empire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:19
Paige Spiranac became one of the most influential people in golf — but not without controversy, criticism, and constant public scrutiny.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Paige Spiranac for a…
S E29: How AI is Changing Golf Forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:17
AI is changing golf faster than almost anyone realizes.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with members of the Big Swing Media team to break down the biggest trends shaping the future of the game —…