Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc. 10-K

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of our CEO and our CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level. Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes: • maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; • providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements; • providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of Company assets are made in accordance with management authorization; and • providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Company assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Also projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of change in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The Company’s management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) , issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which is set forth herein. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting We rely extensively on information systems to manage our business and report operating results. During the 2023 second quarter, we completed the implementation of our new Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") system, which resulted in considerable changes to our processes and control environment, including modifications to existing applications and reports. The new ERP replaced our legacy system, in which our business transactions are processed and recorded. The new ERP is intended to facilitate transactional processing and enhance management tools and is expected to improve internal controls over financial reporting. Other than as described above, no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the Company's most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 63 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 3, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 3, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended February 3, 2024, of the Company and our report dated March 21, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. Basis for Opinion The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting . Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Houston, Texas March 21, 2024 64 Item 9B. Other Information (a) Board of Directors Update Appointment of Monique Picou to Board of Directors On March 18, 2024, the Board of the Company approved an increase of the size of the Board of Directors from nine to ten directors and appointed Monique Picou, age 57, as an independent Class II director, effective immediately, to fill the vacancy created by such increase. Mrs. Picou’s initial term will expire on the date of the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until her successor shall be elected and qualified or until her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Mrs. Picou serves as Global Executive - Vice President, Google Cloud Supply Chain and Operations at Alphabet, Inc. since March 2023, and also served as Vice President, Google Product, Technology Strategy and Global Server Operations at Alphabet, Inc. from February 2021 to April 2023. Prior to Alphabet, Inc., Mrs. Picou served as Senior Vice President, Sam’s Club Chief Strategy and Supply Chain Officer from March 2020 to February 2021, as Sam’s Club Senior Vice President Supply Chain Flow from February 2019 to February 2020, and Vice President, Supply Chain at Walmart, Inc. from August 2018 to January 2019. Mrs. Picou held other senior leadership positions at Voyant Beauty, LLC and Procter & Gamble Company, where she spent more than 25 years and served in various positions, including Senior Vice President – Product Supply Global Health Care from December 2016 to August 2017. Since November 2021, Mrs. Picou has served on the board of directors of Ryan Companies US, Inc., a commercial real estate services company. She is a graduate of Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and earned a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology. The Board of Directors selected Mrs. Picou because of her supply chain, logistics, strategic planning, operations, digital/technology, and engineering experience at technology, retail and manufacturing companies. The Board of Directors has determined that Mrs. Picou qualifies as an independent director under the corporate governance standards of Nasdaq, and that there are no arrangement or understanding between Mrs. Picou and any other person pursuant to which she was elected as a director. There are no transactions in which Mrs. Picou has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. As compensation for her service on the Board, Mrs. Picou will receive the cash and equity compensation provided by the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, as it may be adjusted by the Board of Directors from time to time, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.66 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, the Company and Mrs. Picou will enter into the Company’s standard form of indemnification agreement for directors. Transition of Ken C. Hicks to Chairman of the Board of Directors In connection with a planned transition process, on March 19, 2024, the Company and Ken C. Hicks, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, mutually agreed that Mr. Hicks’s Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 26, 2023 would not be extended beyond its initial one-year term and that Mr. Hicks will transition from Executive Chairman of the Board to non-employee Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective on June 1, 2024. As compensation for his service as non-employee Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Hicks will receive annual cash retainers totaling $175,000 and equity compensation in the form of restricted stock units with an annualized grant value totaling $285,000, each as provided by the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.66 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 65 (b) Trading Plans During the quarter ended February 3, 2024, the following trading plan(s) intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) that are required to be disclosed under Item 408 of Regulation S-K was/were adopted or terminated : Name Title Date Plan Adopted/Terminated Duration of Plan Common Shares to be Purchased or Sold Comments Jeff C. Tweedy Director Adopted January 19, 2024 April 19, 2024 through December 31, 2024 Sell up to 2,400 common shares, subject to certain conditions set forth in the trading plan. Mr. Tweedy's previously disclosed trading plan was completed pursuant to the terms set forth in that trading plan. 66 Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections None. PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance The information concerning our executive officers is set forth under the heading “Information about our Executive Officers” in Part I of this report. Further information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 11. Executive Compensation The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference. 67 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters The following table gives information about the Company's common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under all of the Company's equity compensation plans as of February 3, 2024. The table includes the 2011 Unit Incentive Plan, the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Plan Category (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) Service-Based Stock Options 2,615,798 $ 27.99 (1) Performance-Based Stock Options 122,562 16.55 (1) Service-Based Restricted Stock Units 564,863 N/A (1) Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units 311,822 N/A (1) 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan — N/A (1) Total 3,615,045 $ 27.48 (2) (1) Of the plans listed above, only 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows for future grants of securities. The maximum number of shares that may be granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (inclusive of unissued shares that were carried over from the 2011 Unit Incentive Plan) is approximately 5,738,738. Stock options and restricted stock units are counted on a one-for-one basis. Total shares available for future issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is 4,534,051. The total shares available for issuance under the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is 1,593,760. (2) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options only. Additional information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference. 68 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K: (1) Financial Statements. The consolidated Financial Statements required to be filed hereunder are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 70 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (2) Financial Statement Schedule. The consolidated financial statement schedule to be filed hereunder is included on page 113 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other schedules have not been included because they are not applicable or because the information is included elsewhere in this report. (3) Exhibits. The Exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits, which appears on pages 107 to 111 and is incorporated herein by reference, are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain Exhibits are incorporated by reference from documents previously filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Rule 12b-32 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 69 INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Page Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34 ) 71 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023 73 Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal years ended February 3, 2024, January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 74 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended February 3, 2024, January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 75 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended February 3, 2024, January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 76 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended February 3, 2024, January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 77 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 78 70 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended February 3, 2024, and the related notes and schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 3, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of February 3, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 21, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. 71 Critical Audit Matter Description As described in Note 14 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, as of February 3, 2024, the Company is involved in a regulatory matter with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (“CBP”) regarding additional duties relating to certain products that the Company imported from China which CBP believes are subject to certain anti-dumping and/or countervailing duties, as well as a legal matter regarding payment card interchange fees charged by financial institutions (the defendants) to the Company (the plaintiff). The Company records a liability for legal proceedings and regulatory matters when management determines it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company also discloses when it is reasonably possible that a material loss may be incurred. In assessing the probability of occurrence and whether an estimate of loss can be reasonably estimated for a particular legal proceeding, management exercises judgment on matters relevant to each proceeding, such as whether sufficient participation in settlement proceedings will occur, or whether it can predict the number of claims that may be filed. Similarly, the Company will record a contingency that might result in a gain when it is the plaintiff, when the gain is realized or realizable. Auditing management's accounting for, and disclosure of, contingencies was complex and highly judgmental as it involved our assessment of the significant judgments made by management when assessing the probability of occurrence for loss contingencies, determining whether an estimate of the amount of contingencies could be made, and assessing whether a gain contingency was realized or realizable. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit Our audit procedures related to the management’s judgment included the following, among others: • We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over management’s identification, monitoring and evaluation of contingencies. • We read documents provided to the Company by outside legal counsel, read letters received directly by us from internal and outside legal counsel, and evaluated the current status of contingencies based on discussions with internal and outside legal counsel. • We inspected minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors to search for any contradictory evidence, which may indicate that the accounting and disclosures for contingencies might not be appropriate. • We made inquiries of management, including the Company’s internal legal counsel, regarding the status of these contingencies and whether any settlement discussions had been held. • We evaluated management's assumptions and calculations by, among other things, comparing those assumptions to underlying legal documents and to payments made during the year. We also assessed the adequacy of the related disclosures. • We tested the amounts of the gain contingency realizable as of year end, including consideration of any contrary evidence for events subsequent to year end. • With the assistance of professionals in our firm having experience in accounting for contingencies, we evaluated the reasonableness of the judgements and accounting guidance utilized by the Company to record the gain contingency that was realizable as of year end. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Houston, Texas March 21, 2024 We have served as the Company's auditor since 1996. 72 ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 347,920 $ 337,145 Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 2,217 and $ 2,004 , respectively 19,371 16,503 Merchandise inventories, net 1,194,159 1,283,517 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 83,450 47,747 Assets held for sale — 1,763 Total current assets 1,644,900 1,686,675 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 445,209 351,424 RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS 1,111,237 1,100,085 TRADE NAME 578,236 577,716 GOODWILL 861,920 861,920 OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS 35,211 17,619 Total assets $ 4,676,713 $ 4,595,439 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $ 541,077 $ 686,472 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 217,932 240,169 Current lease liabilities 117,849 109,075 Current maturities of long-term debt 3,000 3,000 Total current liabilities 879,858 1,038,716 LONG-TERM DEBT, NET 484,551 584,456 LONG-TERM LEASE LIABILITIES 1,091,294 1,072,192 DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES, NET 254,796 259,043 OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 11,564 12,726 Total liabilities 2,722,063 2,967,133 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 14) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, $ 0.01 par value, authorized 50,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding — — Common stock, $ 0.01 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares; 74,349,927 and 76,711,720 issued and outstanding as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively 743 767 Additional paid-in capital 242,098 216,209 Retained earnings 1,711,809 1,411,330 Stockholders' equity 1,954,650 1,628,306 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 4,676,713 $ 4,595,439 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 73 ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 NET SALES $ 6,159,291 $ 6,395,073 $ 6,773,128 COST OF GOODS SOLD 4,049,080 4,182,571 4,422,033 GROSS MARGIN 2,110,211 2,212,502 2,351,095 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 1,432,356 1,365,953 1,443,148 OPERATING INCOME 677,855 846,549 907,947 INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 46,051 46,441 48,989 LOSS ON EARLY RETIREMENT OF DEBT 1,525 1,963 2,239 OTHER (INCOME), NET ( 32,877 ) ( 20,175 ) ( 2,821 ) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 663,156 818,320 859,540 INCOME TAX EXPENSE 143,966 190,319 188,159 NET INCOME $ 519,190 $ 628,001 $ 671,381 EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: BASIC $ 6.89 $ 7.70 $ 7.38 DILUTED $ 6.70 $ 7.49 $ 7.12 WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING: BASIC 75,389 81,590 90,956 DILUTED 77,469 83,895 94,284 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 74 ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Amounts in thousands) Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: Net income $ 519,190 $ 628,001 $ 671,381 Recognized interest expense on interest rate swaps — — 2,344 Tax benefit — — 980 Total comprehensive income $ 519,190 $ 628,001 $ 674,705 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 75 ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Amounts in thousands) Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders' Equity Shares Amount Amount Amount Amount Amount Balances as of January 30, 2021 91,114 $ 911 $ 127,228 $ 987,168 $ ( 3,324 ) $ 1,111,983 Net income — — — 671,381 — 671,381 Equity compensation — — 39,264 — — 39,264 Repurchase of common stock for retirement ( 10,567 ) ( 106 ) ( 20,814 ) ( 390,489 ) — ( 411,409 ) Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units 923 9 ( 9 ) — — — Share-Based Award Payments adjustment for forfeitures — — 39 — — 39 Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 114 1 3,776 — — 3,777 Stock option exercises 5,495 55 48,532 — — 48,587 Recognized interest expense on interest rate swaps (net of tax benefit of $ 980 ) — — — — 3,324 3,324 Balances as of January 29, 2022 87,079 $ 870 $ 198,016 $ 1,268,060 $ — $ 1,466,946 Net income — — — 628,001 — 628,001 Equity compensation — — 21,175 — — 21,175 Repurchase of common stock for retirement ( 11,904 ) ( 119 ) ( 29,258 ) ( 460,098 ) — ( 489,475 ) Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units 100 1 ( 1 ) — — — Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 168 2 5,041 — — 5,043 Stock option exercises 1,269 13 21,236 — — 21,249 Cash dividends declared, $ 0.075 per share — — — ( 24,633 ) — ( 24,633 ) Balances as of January 28, 2023 76,712 $ 767 $ 216,209 $ 1,411,330 $ — $ 1,628,306 Net income — — — 519,190 — 519,190 Equity compensation — — 24,377 — — 24,377 Repurchase of common stock for retirement ( 3,652 ) ( 36 ) ( 12,625 ) ( 191,493 ) — ( 204,154 ) Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units, net of shares withheld 227 2 ( 5,538 ) — — ( 5,536 ) Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 124 1 5,483 — — 5,484 Stock option exercises, net of shares withheld 939 9 14,192 — — 14,201 Cash dividends declared, $ 0.09 per share — — — ( 27,218 ) — ( 27,218 ) Balances as of February 3, 2024 74,350 $ 743 $ 242,098 $ 1,711,809 $ — $ 1,954,650 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 76 ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Amounts in thousands) Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 519,190 $ 628,001 $ 671,381 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 110,936 106,762 105,274 Non-cash lease expense 16,723 ( 16 ) ( 5,528 ) Equity compensation 24,377 21,175 39,264 Amortization of deferred loan, terminated interest rate swaps and other costs 2,739 3,054 5,524 Deferred income taxes ( 4,247 ) 41,831 79,490 Non-cash loss on early retirement of debt 1,525 1,963 2,239 Gain on disposal of property and equipment ( 388 ) — — Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net ( 2,868 ) 3,215 ( 2,412 ) Merchandise inventories, net 89,358 ( 111,709 ) ( 181,774 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets ( 50,225 ) ( 11,287 ) ( 8,147 ) Other noncurrent assets ( 18,761 ) ( 14,088 ) 2,759 Accounts payable ( 142,346 ) ( 55,400 ) ( 50,627 ) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities ( 26,712 ) ( 58,395 ) 31,935 Income taxes payable 17,640 ( 3,407 ) ( 14,129 ) Other long-term liabilities ( 1,162 ) 306 ( 1,984 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 535,779 552,005 673,265 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures ( 207,770 ) ( 108,304 ) ( 75,802 ) Purchases of intangible assets ( 520 ) ( 502 ) ( 215 ) Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment 2,151 — — Net cash used in investing activities ( 206,139 ) ( 108,806 ) ( 76,017 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repayment of Term Loan ( 103,000 ) ( 103,000 ) ( 102,250 ) Debt issuance fees — — ( 927 ) Share-Based Award Payments — — ( 11,214 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 16,636 21,249 48,587 Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase program 5,484 5,043 3,777 Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards ( 7,971 ) ( 1,236 ) ( 15,418 ) Repurchase of common stock for retirement ( 202,796 ) ( 489,475 ) ( 411,409 ) Dividends paid ( 27,218 ) ( 24,633 ) — Net cash used in financing activities ( 318,865 ) ( 592,052 ) ( 488,854 ) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 10,775 ( 148,853 ) 108,394 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 337,145 485,998 377,604 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 347,920 $ 337,145 $ 485,998 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid for interest $ 45,446 $ 43,250 $ 44,710 Cash paid for income taxes $ 132,126 $ 168,180 $ 125,040 NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Non-cash capital expenditures $ 6,687 $ 4,046 $ 2,951 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 77 ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Nature of Operations The Company All references to "we", "us", "our" or the "Company" in the financial statements refer to Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("ASO, Inc.") and the current parent holding company of our operations, and its consolidated subsidiaries. We conduct our operations primarily through our parent holding company's indirect subsidiary, Academy, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership doing business as "Academy Sports + Outdoors", or Academy, Ltd. All of the Company’s sales and business operations occur at Academy, Ltd., and Academy, Ltd. is also the borrower and/or issuer of the Company’s long-term debt and lessee of facilities. On August 3, 2011, an investment entity owned by investment funds and other entities affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (collectively, "KKR"), acquired a majority interest in the Company. The Company completed an initial public offering (the "IPO") on October 6, 2020, and upon completion of the September 2021 Secondary Offering (as defined below), KKR no longer holds an ownership interest in the Company. The Company is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreational products retailer in the United States in terms of net sales. As of February 3, 2024, we operated 282 "Academy Sports + Outdoors" retail locations in 18 states and three distribution centers located in Katy, Texas, Twiggs County, Georgia and Cookeville, Tennessee. Our distribution centers receive, store and ship merchandise to our stores and customers. We also sell merchandise to customers across most of the United States via our academy.com website. Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year represents the 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 each year. References herein to 2023 relate to the 53-week fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, and references herein to 2022 and 2021 relate to the 52-week fiscal years ended January 28, 2023, and January 29, 2022, respectively. May 2021 Secondary Offering and Stock Repurchase On May 5, 2021, ASO, Inc. entered into an underwriting agreement (the “May 2021 Underwriting Agreement”), by and among ASO, Inc., Allstar LLC, Allstar Co-Invest Blocker L.P., KKR 2006 Allstar Blocker L.P., MSI 2011 LLC and MG Family Limited Partnership (collectively, the “May 2021 Selling Stockholders”), and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “May 2021 Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten offering of 14,000,000 shares of common stock at $ 30.96 per share (the “May 2021 Secondary Offering”), pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-255720), filed on May 3, 2021. The May 2021 Selling Stockholders granted the May 2021 Underwriters the option to purchase, within 30 days from the date of the May 2021 Underwriting Agreement, an additional 2,100,000 shares of common stock. On May 6, 2021, the May 2021 Underwriters exercised in full their option to purchase the additional shares. The May 2021 Secondary Offering also included the Company's repurchase and simultaneous retirement of 3,229,974 shares out of the 14,000,000 shares at $ 30.96 per share, the same price granted to the May 2021 Underwriters, which was at a discount to the prevailing market price at the time of repurchase (see "Share Repurchases" in Note 2). The May 2021 Secondary Offering was completed on May 10, 2021. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the May 2021 Secondary Offering. The May 2021 Secondary Offering reduced the KKR ownership interest in the Company, resulting in a vesting event (the "2021 Vesting Event") for awards granted under the 2011 Unit Incentive Plan, whereby unvested time awards and performance-based awards which had previously met their performance targets vested and unvested performance-based awards which had not previously met their performance targets were forfeited. As a result, we incurred approximately $ 24.9 million in non-cash expenses related to equity-based compensation and approximately $ 15.4 million of cash expenses related to taxes on equity-based compensation. Additionally, approximately $ 8.2 million of Share-Based Award Payments (see Note 9) for equity-based compensation distributions were accelerated during the 2021 second quarter. 78 September 2021 Secondary Offering and Stock Repurchase On September 14, 2021, ASO, Inc. entered into an underwriting agreement (the “September 2021 Underwriting Agreement”), by and among ASO, Inc., Allstar LLC, Allstar Co-Invest Blocker L.P. and KKR 2006 Allstar Blocker L.P. (collectively, the “September 2021 Selling Stockholders”), and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein (the “September 2021 Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten offering (the “September 2021 Secondary Offering”) of 18,645,602 shares of common stock at approximately $ 43.52 per share, pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-259477), filed on September 13, 2021. The September 2021 Secondary Offering also included the Company’s repurchase and simultaneous retirement of 4,500,000 shares out of the 18,645,602 shares of common stock at approximately $ 43.52 , the same price granted to the September 2021 Underwriters, which was at a discount to the prevailing market price at the time of repurchase (see "Share Repurchases" in Note 2). The September 2021 Secondary Offering was completed on September 17, 2021. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the September 2021 Secondary Offering. 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ASO, Inc. and its subsidiaries, New Academy Holding Company, LLC ("NAHC"), Academy Managing Co., LLC, Associated Investors, LLC, Academy, Ltd., the Company's operating company, and Academy International Limited. NAHC, Academy Managing Co., LLC, and Associated Investors, LLC are intermediate holding companies. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. ASO Co-Invest Blocker Sub, L.P. and ASO Blocker Sub, L.P. were dissolved effective January 31, 2021. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our management bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Our most significant estimates and assumptions that materially affect the financial statements involve difficult, subjective or complex judgments by management including the valuation of merchandise inventories, and performing goodwill, intangible and long-lived asset impairment analyses. Reclassifications Within the merchandise division sales table presented in Note 3, certain products and categories were recategorized among various categories and divisions, respectively, during 2023 to better align with our current merchandising strategy and view of the business. As a result, we have reclassified sales between divisions for 2022 and 2021 for comparability purposes. This reclassification is in divisional presentation only and did not impact the overall net sales balances previously disclosed. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider credit and debit card transactions, which typically settle within three business days, demand deposits with banks, and all other highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Financial Instruments Financial instruments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, certain accrued liabilities and debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of those instruments. We have also historically entered into derivative interest rate swaps to reduce the risk that our earnings and cash flows will be affected by changes in interest rates on our debt. The fair value of debt is influenced by fluctuations in market conditions for interest rates (see Note 6). We did not have any derivative financial instruments outstanding as of February 3, 2024 or January 28, 2023. 79 Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable consists primarily of amounts due from vendors for vendor allowances and other accounts receivable. We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts based on both historical experience and a specific identification basis. Concentration of Risk Financial instruments which subject us to potential credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. We have established guidelines to limit our exposure to credit risk on cash and cash equivalents by placing investments with high credit quality financial institutions. Deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided; however, these deposits typically are redeemable upon demand. We believe that the financial risks associated with these financial instruments are minimal. We purchase merchandise inventories from approximately 1,400 vendors. In each of the years 2023, 2022 and 2021, purchases from our largest vendor represented approximately 11 % of our total inventory purchases. No other vendor in any of the aforementioned years exceeded 10% of our purchases. We typically do not enter into long-term inventory purchase commitments, and we did not have any such commitments as of February 3, 2024 or January 28, 2023. A significant portion of our inventory purchases are manufactured outside of the United States, primarily in Asia. While we are not dependent on any single manufacturer outside of the United States, we could be adversely affected by political, health (including pandemic), safety, security, economic, tariff, climate, war or other disruptions affecting the business or operations of third-party manufacturers located outside of the United States. The Company’s geographic concentration in the southern United States subjects us to certain regional risks, such as the state of regional economies, including downturns in the housing market, increased unemployment and gas prices. Other regional risks include legislation, politics, cultural views, severe weather conditions or man-made disasters (such as an oil spill closing large areas of hunting or fishing), fires, heat waves, freezes, hurricanes, tornadoes, large storms and floods and other natural disasters specific to the states in which the Company operates. Merchandise Inventories, net Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of weighted average cost and net realizable value. Merchandise inventories include the direct cost of merchandise and capitalized costs related to procurement, warehousing and distribution and are reflected net of shrinkage, vendor allowances and other valuation reserves. We record an inventory reserve for the estimated shrinkage between physical inventories on a by location basis. We generally perform a full physical inventory count for each store at least once a year, throughout the year, after which our shrinkage accrual rate for each store is updated based on historical results. For vendor allowances based on contractual provisions, we develop accrual rates as determined by the agreements, which are typically linked to purchase volumes. Other non-contractual vendor allowances received are applied upon receipt. We regularly review inventories and record a valuation adjustment when necessary such as for inventory that has a carrying value in excess of the net realizable value or for slow moving or obsolete inventory. Prior to 2023, we valued merchandise inventories at the lower of the weighted average cost method or LIFO method (see Change in Accounting Principle discussion below). The application of the LIFO inventory method did not result in any LIFO charges or credits affecting cost of sales in 2022 or 2021. Change in Accounting Principle Effective January 29, 2023, the Company changed the method of accounting for its inventories from the last-in-first-out (“LIFO”) method to the weighted average cost method. The Company believes that this inventory method change is preferable because we believe it improves comparability with industry peers and is a more accurate representation of merchandise inventories, net and cost of goods sold. Due to historical price deflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, the Company was in a position where the LIFO merchandise inventories value exceeded the cost of its inventory for all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. In considering the lower of cost or market principle, merchandise inventories valued at LIFO, including necessary valuation adjustments, approximated the cost of such inventories using the weighted average inventory method. As such, there is no impact to the prior periods from the retrospective presentation of the change. 80 The following tables show the pro forma effect to our consolidated financial statements as if the Company had remained on LIFO (amounts in thousands): February 3, 2024 Consolidated Balance Sheet As Reported Effect of Change Pro Forma LIFO Merchandise inventories, net $ 1,194,159 $ ( 2,615 ) $ 1,191,544 Total current assets 1,644,900 ( 2,615 ) 1,642,285 Total assets 4,676,713 ( 2,615 ) 4,674,098 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 217,932 ( 27,219 ) 190,713 Total current liabilities 879,858 ( 27,219 ) 852,639 Deferred tax liabilities, net 254,796 26,609 281,405 Total liabilities 2,722,063 ( 610 ) 2,721,453 Retained earnings 1,711,809 ( 2,005 ) 1,709,804 Stockholders' equity 1,954,650 ( 2,005 ) 1,952,645 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 4,676,713 ( 2,615 ) 4,674,098 Year Ended February 3, 2024 As Reported Effect of Change Pro Forma LIFO Consolidated Statements of Income: Cost of goods sold $ 4,049,080 $ 2,615 $ 4,051,695 Gross margin 2,110,211 ( 2,615 ) 2,107,596 Operating income 677,855 ( 2,615 ) 675,240 Income before income taxes 663,156 ( 2,615 ) 660,541 Income tax expense 143,966 ( 610 ) 143,356 Net income 519,190 ( 2,005 ) 517,185 Earnings per common share: Basic $ 6.89 $ ( 0.03 ) $ 6.86 Diluted $ 6.70 $ ( 0.03 ) $ 6.67 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: Net income $ 519,190 $ ( 2,005 ) $ 517,185 Deferred income taxes ( 4,247 ) 26,609 22,362 LIFO charge — 2,615 2,615 Income taxes payable 17,640 ( 27,219 ) ( 9,579 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 535,779 — 535,779 Supplier Finance Programs In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-04: Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations. This pronouncement requires that a buyer in a supplier finance program disclose sufficient information about the program to allow a user of the financial statements to understand the program's nature, activity during the period, changes from period to period and potential magnitude. The Company adopted the new guidance as of January 29, 2023. 81 We have previously entered into a supply chain financing arrangement with a third-party financial institution, whereby certain suppliers have the ability to settle outstanding payment obligations earlier than the due date required by our original supplier terms. Subsequently, we settle invoices with the financial institution within 45 days, which approximates our original supplier terms. The Company does not have an economic interest in suppliers’ voluntary participation, does not provide any guarantees or pledge assets under these arrangements, and our rights and obligations to our suppliers, including amounts due, are not impacted. The following table shows our liability associated with these arrangements, which is presented within accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheets, and the related activity for the periods presented (amounts in thousands): February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 Invoices outstanding at the beginning of the year $ 8,953 $ 4,430 Invoices added 44,673 50,791 Invoices paid ( 46,452 ) ( 46,268 ) Invoices outstanding at the end of the year $ 7,174 $ 8,953 Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Cost includes interest capitalized on borrowings used to finance the construction of stores and other significant capital projects while under construction. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the asset’s useful life, which is generally determined by asset category as follows: Leasehold improvements Lesser of asset useful life or lease term Software and computer equipment 2 – 5 years Other equipment 5 – 10 years Furniture and fixtures 7 – 10 years Buildings 40 years When assets are retired or sold, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from our accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of income. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred and significant improvements that substantially enhance the useful life or enhance the functionality of an asset are capitalized and amortized. Capitalized Computer Software Costs We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining computer software for internal use. Capitalized computer software costs are included in property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets and amortized on a straight-line basis when placed into service over the estimated useful lives of the software. The amounts capitalized were $ 33.3 million, $ 33.3 million and $ 36.7 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Implementation costs for cloud-based information systems are capitalized in other non-current assets. Amortization of cloud-based software implementation costs is recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses and amortized over the longer of the contract term or expected benefit. The amounts capitalized were $ 23.5 million, $ 12.3 million and $ 3.7 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Capitalized Interest We capitalized interest primarily related to construction of new stores, store renovations, distribution centers and IT projects in the amount of $ 2.1 million, $ 0.6 million and $ 0.4 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Interest expense, net on the consolidated statement of income is shown net of capitalized interest. 82 Impairment of Long-Lived Assets We review the carrying value of long-lived assets, including store assets, for indicators of impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the use of the assets, which is generally projected based on historical results. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds its estimated fair value, which is calculated using discounted expected future cash flows. As a result of our assessment, we did no t record an impairment of long-lived assets in 2023, 2022 and 2021. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. We test for goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is the operating segment level. We operate in one operating segment with one reporting unit. The annual goodwill impairment test provides for the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to evaluate the existence of events and circumstances that would lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If such a conclusion is reached, we would then be required to perform a quantitative impairment assessment of goodwill. However, if the qualitative assessment leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then no further assessments are required. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined a quantitative assessment was not necessary. Our quantitative assessment for determining the fair value of our reporting unit includes using an estimated discounted cash flow model (income approach) and market value approach. The output of this assessment is an estimated fair value for our reporting unit that is compared to its carrying value to determine whether an impairment charge is necessary. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow analysis of our projected long-term future company income, and the market value approach is based on earnings multiples for a comparable set of public companies. No impairment of goodwill existed for 2023, 2022 or 2021. Intangible Assets Intangible assets primarily consists of the trade name "Academy Sports + Outdoors" (the "Trade Name"). The Trade Name is expected to generate cash flows indefinitely and, therefore, is accounted for as an indefinite-lived asset not subject to amortization. The Trade Name is tested for impairment annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the Trade Name may not be recoverable. The annual Trade Name impairment test provides for the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to evaluate the existence of events and circumstances that would lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If such a conclusion is reached, we would then be required to perform a quantitative impairment assessment for the Trade Name. However, if the qualitative assessment leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an intangible asset is greater than its carrying amount, then no further assessments are required. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined a quantitative assessment was not necessary. Impairment is calculated as the excess of the Trade Name’s carrying value over its fair value. The fair value of the Trade Name is determined using the relief-from-royalty method, a variation of the income approach. This method assumes that, in lieu of ownership, a third party would be willing to pay a royalty in order to exploit the related benefits of these types of assets. Once a supportable royalty rate is determined, the rate is then applied to the projected long-term sales over the expected remaining life of the intangible assets to estimate the royalty savings. This approach is dependent on a number of factors, including projections of long-term sales, royalty rates, discount rates and other variables. No impairment of intangible assets existed for 2023, 2022 or 2021. 83 Deferred Loan Costs Costs incurred to issue debt are deferred and recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. Those costs related to the issuance of our term loan and senior notes are recorded in long-term debt, net of current maturities and amortized as a component of interest expense over the terms of the related debt agreement using the effective interest method. The costs related to the issuance of our revolving credit facility is recorded in other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheets and amortized as a component of interest expense over the terms of the related debt agreements using the straight-line method. Derivative Instruments We are exposed to interest rate risk, primarily related to changes in interest rates on our Term Loan (see Note 4) and have historically used interest rate swap agreements, which we have designated as "cash flow" hedges, to hedge against market risks relating to possible adverse changes in interest rates. We assess, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether derivatives used as hedging instruments are highly effective in offsetting the changes in the fair value or cash flow of the hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or ceases to be highly effective, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. Derivative financial instruments are recognized at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 5). The changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax effects, and are subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. On January 19, 2021, we settled our three remaining outstanding interest rate swaps, which were scheduled to expire on various dates during 2021, for $ 4.1 million. As of February 3, 2024, we do not have any derivative financial instruments outstanding. Self-Insurance We maintain deductibles or self-insurance retentions for workers' compensation, general liability and employee health benefits. Additionally, we use the services of an independent actuary to assist in determining losses associated with workers' compensation, general liability and employee health benefits. Liabilities associated with these losses are actuarially derived and estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, industry factors, severity factors, claim development, as well as other actuarial assumptions. If actual trends, including the severity or frequency of claims, medical cost inflation or fluctuations in premiums, differ from our estimates, it could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. Changes in legal claims, claim development, trends and interpretations, variability in inflation rates, changes in the nature and method of claims settlement, benefit level changes due to changes in applicable laws, insolvency of insurance carriers and changes in discount rates could all adversely affect our ultimate expected losses. We believe the actuarial valuation provides the best estimate of the ultimate expected losses, and we have recorded the present value of the actuarially determined ultimate losses for the insurance related liabilities mentioned above. Leases We account for our leases in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 842 which requires that lessees recognize assets and liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Nearly all of our store locations and all of our corporate office facilities, and warehouse and distribution centers are leased. We may receive reimbursement from a landlord for some or all of the cost of a construction project, which may be structured as a tenant improvement allowance or a construction allowance. Cash received from a landlord for tenant improvement allowances in store lease transactions are a reduction to the right-of-use assets on the balance sheet, which are amortized ratably over the remaining terms of the corresponding leases. Cash received for construction allowances is a reimbursement of certain spend incurred in the construction of the premises on behalf of the landlord, where the landlord owns the assets. We account for each lease and non-lease components for our building leases as a single lease component which allows certain costs such as common area maintenance associated with these leases to be included as rent expense. We exclude leases with contract terms of 12 months or less from ASC 842 accounting treatment, which results in straight-line recognition of the cost over the lease term with no associated balance sheet lease liability or right-of-use asset. 84 Net Sales We sell merchandise under implicit contracts whereby the transaction price is the listed sales price less any discounts or coupons applied. Our typical coupons offer a discount, which is applied immediately at the time of purchase. However, under certain circumstances we may issue a coupon, or similar incentive, which contains a material future right. In such instances, a portion of the revenue is deferred and subsequently recognized when earned. Revenue from merchandise sales is recognized, net of sales tax, when the Company’s performance obligation to the customer is met, which is when the Company transfers control of the merchandise to the customer. Store merchandise sales are recognized at the point of sale. For e-commerce sales, significant judgment is applied in determining when the transfer of control occurs, which we believe occurs upon customer receipt, and accordingly online merchandise sales are recognized upon delivery of the merchandise to the customer. The Company does not extend a material amount of credit. The sales return allowance, which is our provision for anticipated merchandise returns, is provided through a reduction of sales and cost of goods sold on a gross basis in the period that the related sales are recorded. The sales return allowance and related liability are included in merchandise inventories and in accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets. Merchandise returns are estimated based on historical experience. Cost of Goods Sold Cost of goods sold includes the direct cost of merchandise and costs related to procurement, warehousing and distribution. These costs consist primarily of payroll and benefits, occupancy costs and freight. Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs that we incur associated with shipping products to customers are included in cost of goods sold. Vendor Allowances Vendor allowances include volume purchase rebates, promotional and advertising allowances, cooperative advertising funds and support for new store openings. These allowances are generally determined for each fiscal year with the majority of allowances based on quantitative contract terms. Allowances related to the purchase of merchandise inventories are recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold as the related merchandise is sold. Allowances for cooperative advertising and promotion programs and other expenses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as a reduction of the related costs as the related expense is incurred. Any such allowance in excess of actual costs incurred that are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, or that do not require proof of performance, are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales. For volume purchase rebates, we record an estimate of vendor allowances earned based on the latest projected purchase volumes. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses include store and corporate administrative payroll and payroll benefits, store and corporate headquarters occupancy costs, depreciation, advertising, credit card processing, information technology, pre-opening costs and other store and administrative expenses. Advertising Expenses Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses, net of specific vendor allowances, were $ 153.7 million, $ 144.5 million and $ 151.2 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 85 Pre-Opening Expenses Non-capital expenditures associated with opening new stores and distribution centers prior to sales generation or start of operations, which consist primarily of occupancy costs, marketing, payroll and recruiting costs, are expensed as incurred. The following table summarizes our pre-opening expense activity for the periods presented: Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Number of new stores opened 14 9 — Pre-opening expenses (in millions) $ 8.3 $ 5.5 $ 0.2 Equity Compensation We account for equity compensation in accordance with ASC 718, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all equity awards made to employees based on estimated fair values on the grant date. Option equity award fair values are estimated on the date of grant using an option-pricing model and restricted unit fair values are based on the estimated unit price on the date of the grant. For awards with service-based vesting requirements only, the fair value of the award is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, and for awards with performance-based vesting requirements, the fair value of the award ultimately expected to meet the performance target is recognized as expense over the service period. We recognize forfeitures as they occur. Share Repurchases On September 2, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase program (the "2021 Share Repurchase Program") under which the Company may purchase up to $ 500 million of its outstanding shares during the three-year period ending September 2, 2024. On June 2, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program (the "2022 Share Repurchase Program") under which the Company may purchase up to $ 600 million of its outstanding shares during the three-year period ending June 2, 2025. On November 29, 2023, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program (the "2023 Share Repurchase Program") under which the Company may purchase up to $ 600 million of its outstanding shares during the three-year period ending November 29, 2026. The 2023 Share Repurchase Program, the 2022 Share Repurchase Program and the 2021 Share Repurchase Program are collectively referred to as the "Share Repurchase Programs". Under the Share Repurchase Programs, repurchases can be made using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, block trades, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share repurchase programs and/or a non-discretionary trading plan, all in compliance with the rules of the SEC and other applicable legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any common share repurchases will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price and economic and market conditions. The Share Repurchase Programs do not obligate the Company to acquire any particular number of common shares, and the programs may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. The following table summarizes our share repurchases for the periods presented: Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Shares Repurchased (1) 3,651,231 11,903,636 10,566,796 Aggregate amount paid (amounts in millions) (2) $ 204.2 $ 489.5 $ 411.4 (1) Purchases for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2022, include purchases that were made prior to our Share Repurchase Programs. (2) Includes estimated excise tax fees of $ 1.4 million for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024. 86 The Company allocates the excess of the repurchase price over the par value of shares acquired to Retained Earnings and Additional Paid-in Capital. The portion allocated to Additional Paid-in Capital is determined by dividing the number of shares to be retired by the number of shares issued multiplied by the balance of Additional Paid-in Capital as of the retirement date. As of February 3, 2024, we no longer had availability under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program, and we had $ 696.7 million available for share repurchases pursuant to the combined 2023 Share Repurchase Program and 2022 Share Repurchase Program. Income Taxes The Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and foreign income taxes. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets are more-likely-than-not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including recent results of operations, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of deferred tax assets if it is more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of the asset will not be realized. The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more-likely-than-not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit having a greater than 50% likelihood of being ultimately sustained. Interest and penalties from income tax matters are recognized in income tax expense. Other Income During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company received and recognized approximately $ 7.2 million in business interruption proceeds due to the suspension of normal operations at some of our Texas store locations, as well as our e-commerce platform, for several days in February of 2021 as a result of a winter storm which had a significant impact on the energy infrastructure in the state of Texas. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2022 the Company completed a sale in which we factored rights to pursue a legal matter pertaining to the overpayment of certain tariffs and we received and recognized net proceeds of approximately $ 3.7 million. The proceeds for both events are included in Other (income), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company settled a legal matter with credit card companies pertaining to the overcharge of credit card interchange fees for prior periods dating back to 2004. In connection with this settlement, we recognized a net gain of approximately $ 15.9 million in Other (income), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income represents the net income for the period plus the results of certain changes to stockholders' equity (other comprehensive income) that are not reflected in the consolidated statements of income. Other comprehensive income consists of adjustments, net of tax, related to the Company’s historical ownership of interest rate swaps. Operating Segment Given the similar business activities, economic characteristics, products sold, customer base and methods of procurement, as well as the similar marketing and promotional activities of our stores and our academy.com website, we report our financial results as one reportable segment. Substantially all of the Company’s identifiable assets are located in the United States. 87 Recent Accounting Pronouncements Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This pronouncement provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the current guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burden related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 which extended the effectiveness of this guidance to December 31, 2024. The Company elected to utilize these optional expedients in connection with the amendments to our ABL Facility and Term Loan, which transitioned from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) on March 30, 2023 and August 1, 2023, respectively (see Note 4). Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This pronouncement is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures and establishes new income tax disclosure requirements, including requiring disaggregation of a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation and disaggregation of the income taxes paid based on the applicable tax jurisdiction. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this accounting standard will have on its financial disclosures. Segment Reporting In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to enhance the disclosures on reportable segments. Under this pronouncement, all public entities (including those with a single reporting segment) are required to include incremental disclosures related to a public entity’s reportable segments, including disclosure of disaggregated expense information that is regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be adopted retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this accounting standard will have on its financial disclosures. 88 3. Net Sales The following table sets forth the approximate amount of sales (all of which are based in the U.S.) by merchandise divisions for the periods presented (amounts in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Merchandise division sales (1) Outdoors $ 1,727,018 $ 1,819,418 $ 2,060,046 Sports and recreation 1,452,377 1,488,187 1,577,776 Apparel 1,710,838 1,758,993 1,810,345 Footwear 1,235,643 1,291,227 1,290,197 Total merchandise sales (2) 6,125,876 6,357,825 6,738,364 Other sales (3) 33,415 37,248 34,764 Net sales $ 6,159,291 $ 6,395,073 $ 6,773,128 (1) Certain products and categories were re-categorized among various categories and divisions, respectively, during 2023 to better align with our current merchandising strategy and view of the business. As a result, we have reclassified sales between divisions for 2022 and 2021 for comparability purposes. This reclassification is in divisional presentation only and did not impact the overall net sales balances previously disclosed (see Note 2). (2) E-commerce sales consisted of 10.7 %, 10.7 % and 9.3 % of merchandise sales for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. (3) Other sales consists primarily of the gift card breakage income, credit card bounties and royalties, shipping income, net hunting and fishing license income, sales return allowance and other items. We sell gift cards in stores, online and in third-party retail locations. The gift cards we sell have no expiration dates. A liability for gift cards, which is recorded in accrued expenses and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets, is established at the time of sale and revenues are recognized as the gift cards are redeemed in stores or on our website. Based on historical gift card redemption patterns, we believe we can reasonably estimate the amount of gift cards that have a remote likelihood of redemption. These identified amounts are recorded as net sales and recognized in proportion to historical redemption trends, which is referred to as "breakage". The following is a reconciliation of the gift card liability (amounts in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Gift card liability, beginning balance $ 90,650 $ 86,568 $ 74,253 Issued 134,741 134,091 136,553 Redeemed ( 124,370 ) ( 124,463 ) ( 119,103 ) Recognized as breakage income ( 6,866 ) ( 5,546 ) ( 5,135 ) Gift card liability, ending balance $ 94,155 $ 90,650 $ 86,568 89 4. Long-Term Debt Our debt consisted of the following (amounts in thousands) as of: February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 ABL Facility, due November 2025 (1) $ — $ — Term Loan, due November 2027 91,750 194,750 Notes, due November 2027 400,000 400,000 Total debt 491,750 594,750 Less current maturities ( 3,000 ) ( 3,000 ) Less unamortized discount on Term Loan ( 501 ) ( 1,340 ) Less deferred loan costs (2) ( 3,698 ) ( 5,954 ) Long-term debt, net $ 484,551 $ 584,456 (1) On March 8, 2024, the Company issued a press release announcing that the Company had entered into an amendment to the First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement which, among other things, extended the maturity of our asset-based revolving credit facility to March 8, 2029. See Note 17 to the accompanying financial statements for further disclosures regarding the amendment. (2) Deferred loan costs are related to the Term Loan and Notes. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, the balance in deferred loan costs related to the ABL Facility (as defined below) was approximately $ 2.1 million and $ 3.2 million, respectively, and was included in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Total amortization of deferred loan costs was $ 2.4 million, $ 2.6 million and $ 2.7 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Total expenses related to accretion of original issuance discount were $ 0.3 million, $ 0.4 million and $ 0.5 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The expenses related to amortization of deferred loan costs and accretion of original issuance discount are included in interest expense, net on the consolidated statements of income. On November 6, 2020, the Company issued the Notes (as defined below), entered into the 2020 Term Loan (as defined below), and entered into the 2020 ABL Facility (the "Refinancing Transactions"). The Company used the net proceeds from the Notes and the net proceeds from the 2020 Term Loan, together with cash on hand, to repay in full outstanding borrowings under its then-existing term loan, in the amount of $ 1,431.4 million. On May 25, 2021, the Company refinanced its 2020 Term Loan and paid down approximately $ 99.0 million of the 2020 Term Loan. On December 15, 2022 and February 1, 2024, the Company utilized cash on hand to voluntarily prepay $ 100.0 million of outstanding borrowings of the Term Loan, respectively. Term Loan We refer to the 2020 Term Loan and then amendments thereto collectively as the "Term Loan". On November 6, 2020, as a part of the Refinancing Transactions, Academy, Ltd. entered into a seven-year $ 400.0 million senior secured term loan (the "2020 Term Loan") with Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Island Branch ("Credit Suisse"), as the administrative agent and collateral agent and the several other lenders and parties. The 2020 Term Loan bore interest, at Academy, Ltd.’s election, at either (1) LIBOR rate with a floor of 0.75 %, plus a margin of 5.00 %, or (2) a base rate equal to the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 %, (b) Credit Suisse’s "prime rate", or (c) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00 %, plus a margin of 4.00 %. In connection with the 2020 Term Loan, the Company capitalized related professional fees of $ 5.8 million as deferred loan costs. On May 25, 2021, Academy, Ltd. entered into Amendment No. 4 (the “2021 Amendment”) to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2020, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as the administrative agent and collateral agent, the several lenders party thereto and the several other parties named therein (as previously amended, the “Existing Credit Agreement” and as amended by the 2021 Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2021 Amendment, Academy, Ltd. (i) reduced the applicable margin on LIBOR borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement from 5.00 % to 3.75 % and (ii) utilized cash on hand to repay $ 99.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement, leaving an outstanding principal balance of $ 300.0 million under the Amended Credit Agreement. In connection with the principal payment in the 2021 Amendment, the Company recognized a non-cash loss on early retirement of debt of $ 2.2 million in 2021 from the write-off of deferred loan costs related to the original issuance discount associated with our 2020 Term Loan. 90 On December 15, 2022, the Company utilized cash on hand to voluntarily prepay $ 100.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan. In connection with this principal payment, the Company recognized a non-cash loss on early retirement of debt of $ 2.0 million in 2022 from the write-off of deferred loan costs related to the original issuance discount associated with the Term Loan. On May 17, 2023, Academy, Ltd. entered into a Conforming Changes Amendment (the "2023 Amendment") to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2020, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as the administrative agent and collateral agent and the several lenders party thereto and the several other parties named therein, which updated the Term Loan benchmark base interest rate from LIBOR to Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the Conforming Changes Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). The transition of our Term Loan to Adjusted Term SOFR became effective on August 1, 2023. Borrowings under the Term Loan bear interest, at our election, at either (1) Adjusted Term SOFR with a floor of 0.75 % rate plus a margin of 3.75 % or (2) a base rate equal to the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 %, (b) the U.S. "prime rate" announced by the administrative agent, or (c) the one-month Adjusted Term SOFR with a floor of 0.75 % rate, plus a margin of 3.75 %. As of February 3, 2024, the weighted average interest rate was 9.19 %, with interest payable monthly. Quarterly principal payments of $ 750.0 thousand are required through September 30, 2027 and borrowings mature on November 6, 2027. The terms and conditions of the Term Loan also require that the outstanding balance under the Term Loan is prepaid under certain circumstances. On February 1, 2024, the Company utilized cash on hand to voluntarily prepay $ 100.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan. In connection with this principal payment, the Company recognized a non-cash loss on early retirement of debt of $ 1.5 million in 2023 from the write-off of deferred loan costs related to the original issuance discount associated with the Term Loan. The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary events of default such as failure to pay principal or interest, breaches of representations and warranties, violations of affirmative or negative covenants, cross-defaults to other material indebtedness, a bankruptcy or similar proceeding, rendering of certain monetary judgments, invalidity of collateral documents and changes of control. As of February 3, 2024, no prepayment was due under the terms and conditions of the Term Loan. Notes On November 6, 2020, as a part of the Refinancing Transactions, Academy, Ltd. issued $ 400.0 million of 6.00 % senior secured notes which are due November 15, 2027 (the "Notes"), pursuant to an indenture, dated as of November 6, 2020 (the "Indenture"), with Academy, Ltd. the Guarantors (as defined below) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee and collateral agent (in such capacity, the "Notes Collateral Agent"). The Notes pay interest semi-annually in arrears in cash on May 15 and November 15 of each year at a rate of 6.00 % per year, which commenced on May 15, 2021. In connection with issuance of the Notes, the Company capitalized related professional fees of $ 5.2 million as deferred loan costs. The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each of NAHC, Associated Investors L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C., each a direct or indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the "Guarantors"), and each of Academy, Ltd.’s future wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries, to the extent such subsidiary guarantees Academy, Ltd.’s senior secured credit facilities or certain capital markets debt. On or after November 15, 2023, Academy, Ltd. may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date. At any time prior to November 15, 2023, Academy, Ltd. may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem all or part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100 % of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date, plus a "make-whole" premium as described in the Indenture. In addition, at any time prior to November 15, 2023, Academy, Ltd. may, at its option and on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 106 % of the aggregate principal amount thereof, with an amount equal to or less than the net cash proceeds from one or more equity offerings to the extent such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to Academy, Ltd., plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date. Upon the occurrence of certain events constituting a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), Academy, Ltd. will be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the Notes at a price equal to 101 % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date. 91 The Indenture provides for events of default which include (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), among others, nonpayment of principal or interest, breach of other agreements in respect of the Notes, acceleration of certain other indebtedness, failure to pay certain final judgments, failure of certain guarantees to be enforceable, failure to perfect certain collateral securing the Notes and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, which events of default, if any occur, would permit or require the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then-outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. ABL Facility We refer to the 2020 ABL Facility and the amendments thereto collectively as the "ABL Facility". On November 6, 2020, as a part of the Refinancing Transactions, Academy, Ltd., as borrower, and the Guarantors, as guarantors, amended the previously existing secured asset-based revolving credit facility by entering into an amendment to the First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2015, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent and collateral agent, letter of credit issuer and swingline lender (the "ABL Agent") and the several lenders party thereto, which ABL amendment (the "2020 ABL Facility"), among other things, extended the maturity of Academy, Ltd.’s asset-based revolving credit facility thereunder to November 6, 2025. In connection with the 2020 ABL Facility, the Company capitalized related professional fees of $ 3.1 million as deferred loan costs. On March 30, 2023, Academy, Ltd., as borrower, and the guarantors, amended the 2020 ABL Facility by entering into an amendment to the First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2015, with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the ABL Agent and the several lenders party thereto, which ABL amendment updated its benchmark base interest rate from LIBOR to Adjusted Term SOFR. The ABL Facility is used to provide financing for working capital and other general corporate purposes, as well as to support certain letters of credit requirements, and availability is subject to customary borrowing base and availability provisions. During the normal course of business, we periodically utilize letters of credit primarily for the purchase of import goods and in support of insurance contracts. As of February 3, 2024, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $ 11.6 million, all of which were issued under the ABL Facility, and we had no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility, leaving the available borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility of $ 881.4 million. Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest, at our election, at either of (1) Adjusted Term SOFR plus a margin of 1.25 % to 1.75 %, or (2) a base rate equal to the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 %, (b) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.'s "prime rate", or (c) the one-month Adjusted Term SOFR rate plus 1.00 %, plus a margin of 0.25 % to 0.75 %. The ABL Facility also provides a fee applicable to the unused commitments of 0.25 %. The terms and conditions of the ABL Facility also require that we prepay outstanding loans under the ABL Facility under certain circumstances. As of February 3, 2024, no future prepayments of outstanding loans have been triggered under the terms and conditions of the ABL Facility. On March 8, 2024, the Company issued a press release announcing that the Company had entered into an amendment to the First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement which, among other things, extended the maturity of our asset-based revolving credit facility to March 8, 2029. See Note 17 to the accompanying financial statements for further disclosures regarding the amendment. Liens and guarantees. The ABL Facility has a first priority lien on all Academy, Ltd.'s cash, accounts receivable, inventory, deposit and securities accounts and proceeds therefrom (the "ABL Collateral"). Additionally, the ABL Facility has a second priority lien on all other collateral of the Term Loan. All obligations under the Term Loan and the guarantees of those obligations are secured by: • a second-priority security interest in the ABL Collateral; • a first-priority security interest in, and mortgages on, substantially all present and after acquired tangible and intangible assets of Academy, Ltd and the Guarantors; and • a first-priority pledge of 100 % of the capital stock of Academy, Ltd. and its domestic subsidiaries and 66 % of the voting capital stock of each of Academy, Ltd.'s foreign subsidiaries, if any, that are directly owned by Academy, Ltd. or a future U.S. guarantor, if any. 92 The Term Loan is guaranteed by the Guarantors on a senior secured basis. All obligations under the Term Loan and the guarantees of those obligations will be secured by: • a second-priority security interest in the ABL Priority Collateral; • a first-priority security interest in, and mortgages on, substantially all present and after acquired tangible and intangible assets of Academy and the Guarantors; and • a first-priority pledge of 100 % of the capital stock of Academy and its domestic subsidiaries and 66 % of the voting capital stock of each of Academy’s foreign subsidiaries, if any, that are directly owned by Academy or a future U.S. guarantor, if any. In order to secure the Notes and the guarantees, Academy, Ltd. and the Guarantors entered into certain security documents with the Notes Collateral Agent, including a security agreement and a pledge agreement, each dated as of November 6, 2020. The Notes and the guarantees are secured by: • a first-priority lien on all of Academy, Ltd.’s and the Guarantors’ personal property that secure the Term Loan on a first-priority basis; and • a second-priority lien on Academy, Ltd.’s and the Guarantors’ personal property consisting of accounts and all other rights to payment, inventory, tax refunds, cash, deposit accounts, securities and commodities accounts, and documents and supporting obligations, securing the ABL Facility on a first-priority basis and the Term Loan on a second-priority basis (the "ABL Priority Collateral"). Covenants. The ABL Facility, Term Loan and Notes agreements contain covenants, including, among other things, covenants that may restrict Academy, Ltd.'s ability to incur certain additional indebtedness, create or permit liens on assets, engage in mergers or consolidations, pay dividends, make other restricted payments, make loans or advances, engage in transactions with affiliates or amend material documents. Additionally, at certain times, the ABL Facility is subject to a minimum adjusted fixed charge coverage ratio. These covenants are subject to certain qualifications and limitations. We were in compliance with these covenants as of February 3, 2024. As of February 3, 2024, scheduled principal payments on our debt are as follows (amounts in thousands): Fiscal Year 2024 $ 3,000 2025 3,000 2026 3,000 2027 482,750 Total $ 491,750 5. Derivative Financial Instruments We have historically used interest rate swap agreements to hedge market risk relating to possible adverse changes in interest rates. All interest rate swaps had been designated as cash flow hedges of variable rate interest payments on borrowings under the Term Loan. On January 19, 2021, we settled our three outstanding interest rate swaps in full, which were scheduled to expire on various dates during 2021, for $ 4.1 million. As of February 3, 2024, we do not have any derivative financial instruments outstanding. For derivatives previously designated as hedging instruments, amounts included in AOCI were reclassified to interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transaction affected earnings, which is as interest expense was recorded on the underlying Term Loan. 93 The impact of gains and losses related to interest rate swaps that were deferred into AOCI and subsequently reclassified into expense is as follows (amounts in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, beginning $ — $ — $ ( 3,324 ) Increase to interest expense (net of tax benefit of $ 980.0 million for the year ended January 29, 2022) — — 3,324 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, ending $ — $ — $ — 6. Fair Value Measurements Fair value is defined as an exit price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Authoritative guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure that is based on the extent and level of judgment used to estimate the fair value of the assets and liabilities. The fair value measurements are classified as either: • Level 1 which represents valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; • Level 2 which represents valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and • Level 3 which represents valuations based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurement is classified in its entirety, is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. There were no transfers made into or out of the Level 1, 2 or 3 categories during any period presented. Other Financial Instruments Periodically we make cash investments in money market funds comprised of U.S. Government treasury bills and securities, which are classified as cash and redeemable on demand. We held investments in money market funds of $ 303.4 million and $ 95.6 million as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively. The fair value of the Term Loan and Notes is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on quoted market prices for the instrument in an inactive market and is therefore classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. As of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, the estimated fair value of the Term Loan and Notes was $ 0.5 billion and $ 0.6 billion, respectively. As borrowings on the ABL Facility are generally repaid in less than 12 months, we believe that fair value approximates the carrying value. 94 7. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consists of the following (amounts in thousands) as of: February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 Leasehold improvements $ 571,785 $ 484,930 Equipment and software 688,143 641,387 Furniture and fixtures 398,415 360,099 Construction in progress 38,873 23,159 Building and land 14,919 3,698 Total property and equipment 1,712,135 1,513,273 Accumulated depreciation and amortization ( 1,266,926 ) ( 1,161,849 ) Property and equipment, net $ 445,209 $ 351,424 Depreciation expense was $ 110.9 million, $ 106.8 million and $ 105.3 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 8. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (amounts in thousands) as of: February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 Accrued interest $ 6,717 $ 7,015 Accrued personnel costs 30,899 57,504 Accrued professional fees 1,818 3,943 Accrued sales and use tax 14,828 9,302 Accrued self-insurance 15,269 20,941 Deferred revenue - gift cards and other 96,688 92,603 Income taxes payable 9,313 6,195 Property taxes 14,239 15,921 Sales return allowance 6,400 6,100 Other 21,761 20,645 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 217,932 $ 240,169 9. Share-Based Compensation On September 29, 2020, the ASO, Inc. Board of Directors adopted the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan"), which became effective on October 1, 2020. The plan reserved a total of 5,150,000 shares of common stock for issuance. Concurrent with the adoption of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the previously existing share-based compensation plan, the NAHC 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (the "2011 Unit Incentive Plan"), was frozen and no further issuances will be permitted as part of the 2011 Unit Incentive Plan. On June 1, 2023, our stockholders approved the First Amendment to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which, among other changes, increased the number of shares available for issuance thereunder by 2,600,000 shares. As of February 3, 2024, there were 4,534,051 shares that were authorized and available for grant under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. On September 29, 2020, the ASO, Inc. Board of Directors adopted the 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"), which became effective on October 1, 2020. We have reserved a total of 2,000,000 shares and as of February 3, 2024, there were 1,593,760 shares authorized and available for future issuance under the ESPP. 95 The following table provides total stock-based compensation recognized in the consolidated statements of income (amounts in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Equity compensation expense (1) $ 24,377 $ 21,175 $ 39,264 (2) Total related tax benefit $ 5,245 $ 4,494 $ 9,075 (1) These costs are included within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. (2) These costs include approximately $ 24.9 million in non-cash expenses related to the 2021 Vesting Event, which occurred during the 2021 second quarter (see Note 1). As of February 3, 2024, unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation awards of $ 28.6 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average life of two years . The grant date fair value of Restricted Units and Restricted Stock Units vested was $ 11.7 million, $ 3.9 million and $ 24.4 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 2011 Unit Incentive Plan The 2011 Unit Incentive Plan provides for the grant of certain equity incentive awards (each, an "Award"), such as options to purchase ASO, Inc. common stock (each, a "Unit Option") and restricted units that may settle in ASO, Inc. common stock (each, a "Restricted Unit") to our directors, executives, and eligible employees of the Company. Unit Options granted under the 2011 Unit Incentive Plan consist of Unit Options that vest upon the satisfaction of time-based requirements (each, a "Service Unit Option") and Unit Options that vest upon the satisfaction of both time-based requirements and Company performance-based requirements (each, a "Performance Unit Option"). Restricted Units granted under the 2011 Unit Incentive Plan consist of Restricted Units that vest upon the satisfaction of time-based requirements (each, a "Service Restricted Unit") and Restricted Units that vest upon the satisfaction of a liquidity event-based requirement together with a time-based requirement and/or a performance-based requirement (each, a "Liquidity Event Restricted Unit"). In each case, vesting of the Company’s outstanding and unvested Unit Options and Restricted Units is contingent upon the holder’s continued service through the date of each applicable vesting event. Concurrent with the adoption of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan on October 1, 2020, no further Awards are authorized to be granted under the 2011 Unit Incentive Plan. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan The 2020 Omnibus Incentive plan provides for the grant of Awards such as options to purchase ASO, Inc. common stock (each, a "Stock Option") and restricted stock units which may settle in ASO, Inc. common stock (each, a "Restricted Stock Unit") to our directors, executives, and eligible employees of the Company. Stock Options granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan consist of Stock Options that vest upon the satisfaction of time-based requirements, each, a "Service Stock Option" (Service Unit Options and Service Stock Options together are "Service Options"). Restricted Stock Units granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan consist of Restricted Stock Units that vest upon the satisfaction of time-based requirements (each, a "Service Restricted Stock Unit") and Restricted Stock Units that vest upon the satisfaction of a time-based requirement and performance-based and/or market-based requirements (each, a "Performance Restricted Stock Unit"). In each case, vesting of the Company’s outstanding and unvested Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units is contingent upon the holder’s continued service through the date of each applicable vesting event. ESPP Our ESPP allows eligible employees to contribute up to 15 % of their eligible earnings toward the semi-annual purchase of the Company's shares of common stock at a discount of 15 % of the closing stock price on the first or last day of the six-month offering period, whichever is lower. 96 The number of shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP will be increased automatically on the first day of each fiscal year, beginning in fiscal year 2021, by a number equal to the lesser of (1) 1,000,000 shares of common stock, (2) 2.0 % of the total number of all classes of the company's common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, or (3) a lower number of shares determined by the ASO, Inc. Board of Directors. Distribution On August 28, 2020, NAHC paid a $ 257.0 million distribution to its members of record as of August 25, 2020. Holders of the outstanding granted equity Awards were entitled to receive value equal to $ 3.546 per share on a post-IPO basis, which was made in the form of cash payments, additional Restricted Unit grants or Unit Option exercise price adjustments. Cash payments due for unvested Awards were paid upon vesting of such Awards. Cash payments for vested Unit Options and vested Restricted Units ("Share-Based Award Payments") of $ 32.2 million were paid in-full as of July 31, 2021. Service Option Fair Value Assumptions The fair value for Service Options granted was estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The expected lives of the Service Options granted were based on the "SEC simplified" method. Expected price volatility was determined based on our own volatility and the implied volatilities of comparable companies over a historical period that matches the expected life of the Service Options. The risk-free interest rate was based on the expected U.S. Treasury rate over the expected life. In 2022 and 2023, the dividend yield was based on the most recent annualized quarterly dividend and the valuation date closing stock price. In 2021, the dividend yield was based on the expectation that no dividends will be paid. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of Service Options granted are evaluated and modified, as necessary, to reflect current market conditions and experience. The following table presents the assumptions and grant date fair values for Service Options granted in 2023, 2022 and 2021: Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Expected life in years 6.0 6.2 6.2 Expected volatility 46 % to 51 % 43 % to 45 % 42 % to 44 % Weighted-average volatility 47.8 % 43.0 % 43.7 % Risk-free interest rate 3.7 % to 4.4 % 2.4 % to 4.1 % 1.0 % to 1.3 % Dividend yield 0.6 % 0.8 % — Weighted-average grant date fair value - Service Options $ 27.60 $ 16.36 $ 11.92 97 Option Activity Option activity is as follows: Service Options Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Outstanding as of January 30, 2021 6,282,782 $ 13.53 5.5 $ 50,055 Granted or modified 915,017 27.41 Canceled or modified ( 1,499 ) 16.84 Forfeited ( 39,757 ) 23.19 Exercised ( 3,258,329 ) 10.62 $ 81,782 Outstanding as of January 29, 2022 3,898,214 $ 19.12 7.4 $ 72,345 Granted or modified 817,618 39.22 Canceled or modified ( 3,378 ) 17.06 Forfeited ( 51,027 ) 30.32 Exercised ( 1,090,733 ) 16.83 $ 34,611 Outstanding as of January 28, 2023 3,570,694 $ 24.27 7.3 $ 112,050 Granted or modified 262,640 58.13 Canceled or modified ( 694 ) 13.00 Forfeited ( 228,160 ) 39.14 Exercised ( 988,682 ) 20.00 $ 36,277 Outstanding as of February 3, 2024 (1) 2,615,798 $ 27.99 6.7 $ 95,479 Exercisable as of February 3, 2024 1,633,434 $ 21.53 5.9 $ 70,154 (1) The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur. Therefore, the number of awards vested and expected to vest is equal to the awards outstanding. Performance Unit Options Unit Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Outstanding as of January 30, 2021 2,948,621 $ 8.81 2.5 $ 37,422 Granted or modified — — Canceled or modified — — Forfeited ( 295,932 ) 16.72 Exercised ( 2,255,780 ) 6.42 $ 55,865 Outstanding as of January 29, 2022 396,909 $ 16.48 5.8 $ 8,406 Granted or modified — — Canceled or modified — — Forfeited — — Exercised ( 178,432 ) 16.35 $ 5,570 Outstanding as of January 28, 2023 218,477 $ 16.59 5.5 $ 8,534 Granted or modified — — Canceled or modified — — Forfeited — — Exercised ( 95,915 ) 16.63 $ 3,656 Outstanding as of February 3, 2024 (1) 122,562 $ 16.55 5.0 $ 5,874 Exercisable as of February 3, 2024 122,562 $ 16.55 5.0 $ 5,874 (1) The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur. Therefore, the number of awards vested and expected to vest is equal to the awards outstanding. The total income tax benefit recognized from the exercise of stock options was $ 3.9 million, $ 4.2 million and $ 18.5 million for the fiscal years ended February 3, 2024, January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively. 98 Restricted Unit Activity Restricted Unit activity is as follows: Service Restricted Units Liquidity Event Restricted Units Performance Restricted Units Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested as of January 30, 2021 32,049 $ 17.01 1,339,330 $ 17.74 16,328 $ 13.87 Granted 358,960 36.64 — — 196,056 27.41 Vested ( 33,389 ) 17.34 ( 1,339,330 ) 17.74 ( 4,079 ) 13.87 Forfeited ( 18,741 ) 27.62 — — ( 4,387 ) 30.07 Non-vested as of January 29, 2022 338,879 $ 37.18 — $ — 203,918 $ 26.54 Granted 198,346 39.40 — — 170,250 37.36 Vested ( 66,980 ) 32.46 — — ( 65,979 ) 26.44 Forfeited ( 33,137 ) 34.63 — — ( 9,260 ) 32.20 Non-vested as of January 28, 2023 437,108 $ 39.11 — $ — 298,929 $ 32.55 Granted 393,131 60.37 — — 250,384 57.91 Vested ( 173,225 ) 39.48 — — ( 149,190 ) 32.82 Forfeited ( 92,151 ) 51.32 — — ( 88,301 ) 47.94 Non-vested as of February 3, 2024 564,863 $ 51.80 — $ — 311,822 $ 48.85 Vesting The Company's outstanding and unvested Service Options typically vest ratably over a three or four-year period, on each anniversary of their grant date. The Company’s outstanding and unvested Service Restricted Units generally vest ratably over a three of four-year period on each anniversary of their grant date. In more limited grants, Service Restricted Units vest 100 % on the first anniversary of the grant date, or, if earlier, the business day immediately preceding the following annual meeting of stockholders. The Company’s outstanding and unvested Performance Restricted Units typically vest either (i) if granted during 2023, on the third anniversary of the Performance Restricted Unit holder's vesting commencement date, or (ii) if granted prior to 2023, ratably over a four-year period on each anniversary of the Performance Restricted Unit holder’s vesting commencement date, so long as the Company achieved (a) the performance metric for the performance period or (b) achieves a stated target share price. In the event of certain Company change of control transactions, the Company's then-outstanding and unvested Awards will become fully vested and exercisable subject to certain criteria (as defined in the award agreements). For certain Awards granted in 2022 and all Awards granted in 2023, for team members that meet the age and service requirement for retirement eligibility (as defined in the award agreement), such Awards do not require the continued employment of the team member for vesting eligibility. In such cases, expensing of Awards is accelerated through the retirement eligibility date. 99 10. Earnings per Common Share Basic earnings per common share is calculated based on net income divided by the basic weighted average common shares outstanding during the period, and diluted earnings per common share is calculated based on net income divided by the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is based on the basic weighted average common shares outstanding plus any potential dilutive effect of stock-based awards outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method, which assumes the potential proceeds received from the dilutive stock options are used to purchase treasury stock. Anti-dilutive stock-based awards do not include awards which have a performance or liquidity event target which has yet to be achieved. Basic and dilutive weighted average common shares outstanding and basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands except per share amounts): Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Net income $ 519,190 $ 628,001 $ 671,381 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 75,389 81,590 90,956 Dilutive effect of Service Restricted Units and Service Restricted Stock Units 327 165 70 Dilutive effect of Performance Restricted Stock Units and Liquidity Event Restricted Units 165 207 313 Dilutive effect of Service Options 1,439 1,678 2,300 Dilutive effect of Performance Unit Options 112 202 637 Dilutive effect of ESPP Shares 37 53 8 Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 77,469 83,895 94,284 Earnings per common share - basic $ 6.89 $ 7.70 $ 7.38 Earnings per common share - diluted $ 6.70 $ 7.49 $ 7.12 Anti-dilutive stock-based awards excluded from diluted calculation 128 24 24 100 11. Income Taxes The income tax provision consists of the following (amounts in thousands) as of: Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Current expense: Federal $ 125,325 $ 127,823 $ 93,373 State 22,869 20,645 15,270 Foreign 19 20 26 Total current expense 148,213 148,488 108,669 Deferred expense (benefit): Federal ( 3,395 ) 37,971 69,353 State ( 817 ) 3,853 10,139 Foreign ( 35 ) 7 ( 2 ) Total deferred expense ( 4,247 ) 41,831 79,490 Income tax expense $ 143,966 $ 190,319 $ 188,159 A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Federal income tax at the statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State income tax, net of federal benefit 2.5 2.5 2.6 Nondeductible excess compensation 0.5 0.6 1.3 Excess tax benefit for share-based compensation ( 1.1 ) ( 0.7 ) ( 2.6 ) Effect of other permanent items ( 1.2 ) ( 0.1 ) ( 0.4 ) Effective income tax rate 21.7 % 23.3 % 21.9 % Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following (amounts in thousands) as of: February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable $ 620 $ 570 Accrued liabilities and reserves 18,810 17,905 Equity compensation 7,672 7,947 Total deferred tax assets 27,102 26,422 Deferred tax liabilities: Inventory ( 34,313 ) ( 49,995 ) Prepaid items ( 6,554 ) ( 5,143 ) Property and equipment ( 13,983 ) ( 15,496 ) Intangible assets ( 227,027 ) ( 214,292 ) Other ( 21 ) ( 539 ) Total deferred tax liabilities ( 281,898 ) ( 285,465 ) Net deferred tax liability $ ( 254,796 ) $ ( 259,043 ) Management evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets and the need for additional valuation allowances annually. As of February 3, 2024, based on current facts and circumstances, management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize benefit for its gross deferred tax assets. 101 As of February 3, 2024, we had no unrecognized tax benefits and we do not anticipate that unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease over the next twelve months. The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return and files tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions. The statute of limitations is open for federal and state tax audits for the tax fiscal years ending 2021 through 2023, and 2020 through 2023, respectively. 12. Leases With the exception of one retail store which we own, we lease all of our retail stores, distribution centers and corporate offices. Our leases primarily relate to building leases, which generally include options to renew at our sole discretion for five years or more. We regularly extend options for our building leases, which constitutes a lease modification and such events require a re-measurement of the lease liability at current discount rates. The life of leasehold improvement assets are limited by the expected lease term. Additionally, we have certain agreements for equipment rentals, which are typically 12 months or less in duration. As of February 3, 2024, all of our leases are classified as operating leases. In addition, in certain situations, we may sublease real estate to third parties. Our sublease portfolio consists mainly of former store locations for which we are still under lease and existing store leases in which we have excess or unused space. The components of lease expense and sublease income included in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses on our statement of income is as follows (amounts in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Operating lease expense $ 214,672 $ 201,398 $ 197,321 Short-term lease expense — — — Variable lease expense 10,405 8,398 7,757 Sublease income ( 463 ) ( 442 ) ( 486 ) Net lease expense $ 224,614 $ 209,354 $ 204,592 Information about our operating leases is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 January 29, 2022 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 134,181 $ 116,652 $ 26,253 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 213,860 $ 204,159 $ 203,554 February 3, 2024 January 28, 2023 Weighted-average remaining lease term in years 9.5 9.8 Weighted-average incremental borrowing rate 8.9 % 9.0 % As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate of interest, we use our incremental borrowing rate, which is based on the market lending rates for companies with comparable credit ratings, to determine the present value of lease payments on lease commencement or remeasurement. 102 The remaining maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year as of February 3, 2024 are as follows (amounts in thousands): 2024 $ 200,494 2025 214,244 2026 205,944 2027 191,893 2028 173,835 After 2028 810,337 Total lease payments (1) 1,796,747 Less: Interest ( 587,604 ) Present value of lease liabilities $ 1,209,143 (1) Minimum lease payments have not been reduced by sublease rentals of $ 2.3 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases. The Company has entered into operating leases related to future store locations for which we have not yet taken possession of the location. As of February 3, 2024, the future minimum lease payments on these leases approximated $ 159.3 million. 13. Related Party Transactions On May 5, 2021, and September 14, 2021, in connection with the May 2021 Secondary Offering and the September 2021 Secondary Offering, respectively, the Company entered into Underwriting Agreements with affiliates of KKR (as selling stockholders), several other selling stockholders named therein, and several underwriters named therein, including KCM (as underwriter). The May 2021 Secondary Offering and September 2021 Secondary Offering were completed on May 10, 2021, and September 17, 2021, respectively. The Company did not pay KCM any fees in connection with these secondary offerings. In connection with the May 2021 Secondary Offering, we repurchased from the underwriters 3,229,974 shares of ASO, Inc. common stock at $ 30.96 per share for approximately $ 100.0 million. In connection with the September 2021 Secondary Offering, we repurchased from the underwriters 4,500,000 shares of ASO, Inc. common stock at approximately $ 43.52 for approximately $ 195.8 million. The shares repurchased in both the May 2021 Secondary Offering and the September 2021 Secondary Offering were immediately retired by the Company (see Note 1 and Note 2). 14. Commitments and Contingencies Technology Related Commitments and Other As of February 3, 2024, we have obligations under technology-related, construction and other contractual commitments in the amount of $ 68.0 million. Of such commitments, approximately $ 40.9 million is payable in the next 12 months. Financial Guarantees During the normal course of business, we enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against us that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, we believe the risk of loss to be remote. 103 Legal Proceedings We are a defendant or co-defendant in lawsuits, claims and demands brought by various parties relating to matters normally incident to our business. No individual case, or group of cases against us, presenting substantially similar issues of law or fact, is expected to have a material effect on the manner in which we conduct our business or on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity. The majority of these cases are alleging product, premises, employment and/or commercial liability. Reserves have been established that we believe to be adequate based on our current evaluations and experience in these types of claim situations; however, the ultimate outcome of these cases cannot be determined at this time. We believe, taking into consideration our indemnities, defenses, insurance and reserves, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, government agencies and self-regulatory organizations have the ability to conduct periodic examinations of and administrative proceedings regarding our business. In May and December 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") notified us that we owed additional duties relating to certain products that we imported from China that CBP believes are subject to certain anti-dumping and/or countervailing duties. We do not believe that these products are subject to such duties and are contesting CBP’s determination vigorously. While we contest CBP’s determination, we were required to deposit with CBP an amount of duties relating to these products, which are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet while this matter is pending. We anticipate that this matter will be resolved without a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, the ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time, and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in contesting CBP's determination or that we will not need to accrue or pay additional amounts in the future. During 2023, the Company settled a legal matter pertaining to the overcharge of interchange feeds with certain financial institutions for prior periods dating back to 2004. In connection with this settlement, we recognized a net gain of approximately $ 15.9 million in Other (income), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income, when the gain became realizable. We are not currently party to any other legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Sponsorship Agreement and Intellectual Property Commitments We periodically enter into sponsorship agreements generally with professional sports teams, associations, events, networks or individual professional players and collegiate athletic programs in exchange for marketing and advertising promotions. We also enter into intellectual property agreements whereby the Company receives the right to use third-party owned trademarks typically in exchange for royalties on sales. These agreements typically contain a one to three-year term and contractual payment amounts required to be paid by the Company. As of February 3, 2024, we have $ 13.7 million in related commitments through 2027, of which $ 5.6 million is payable in next 12 months. 15. Employee Benefit Plans 401(k) Plan We sponsor a safe harbor defined contribution 401(k) profit sharing plan (the "401(k) Plan") for our eligible employees. The 401(k) Plan includes an eligible employee compensation deferral feature, Company matching contributions and a Company profit sharing component. Eligible employees are permitted to contribute up to 75 % of their eligible compensation on a pretax basis to the 401(k) Plan, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. We match 100 % of the money contributed by a plan participant to the 401(k) Plan each pay period, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to 6 % of a plan participant’s eligible compensation during such pay period. Annual Company profit sharing contributions are made at the discretion of our Board of Directors, subject to certain limitations. The 401(k) Plan may be amended or terminated at our discretion. Employer contributions related to the 401(k) Plan totaled $ 15.5 million, $ 15.5 million and $ 15.6 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 104 16. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The summarized quarterly financial information for the fiscal years ended 2023 and 2022 are reflected in the table below (amounts in thousands, except earnings per share data): 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter 2023: Net sales $ 1,383,609 $ 1,583,077 $ 1,397,777 $ 1,794,828 Gross margin 467,115 563,446 482,641 597,009 Operating income 126,196 210,963 136,731 203,965 Net income (1) 93,970 157,075 99,978 168,167 Earnings per common share: Basic $ 1.22 $ 2.06 $ 1.34 $ 2.27 Diluted $ 1.19 $ 2.01 $ 1.31 $ 2.21 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 76,862 76,104 74,461 74,219 Diluted 79,288 78,091 76,057 76,035 2022: Net sales $ 1,467,730 $ 1,686,915 $ 1,493,925 $ 1,746,503 Gross margin 521,424 596,063 522,471 572,544 Operating income 205,493 256,734 179,522 204,800 Net income (2) $ 149,806 $ 188,801 $ 131,741 $ 157,653 Earnings per common share: Basic $ 1.73 $ 2.28 $ 1.67 $ 2.03 Diluted $ 1.69 $ 2.22 $ 1.62 $ 1.97 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 86,658 82,960 79,085 77,657 Diluted 88,614 84,906 81,379 80,074 (1) Net income for the quarter ended February 3, 2024, includes a $ 15.9 million net gain relative to a credit card fee litigation settlement which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2023 (see Note 2). (2) Net income for the year ended January 28, 2023, included a $ 7.2 million gain from a business interruption insurance recovery and a $ 3.7 million gain from the sale of a tariff relief litigation claim, both of which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2022 (see Note 2). 105 17. Subsequent Events Our management evaluated events or transactions that occurred after February 3, 2024 through March 21, 2024, the issuance date of the consolidated financial statements, and identified the following matter to report: On March 7, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $ 0.11 per share on the Company's common stock, payable on April 18, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 26, 2024. On March 8, 2024 Academy, Ltd. (“Academy”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc., as borrower, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, Associated Investors, L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C., each a direct or indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as guarantors, entered into an amendment (the “ABL Amendment”) to the First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2015, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent and collateral agent, letter of credit issuer and swingline lender, and the several lenders party thereto, which ABL Amendment, among other things, extended the maturity of Academy’s asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Credit Facility”) to March 8, 2029, unless if (i) more than $ 100 million of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes (as defined in the ABL Amendment) or the Term Loans (as defined in the ABL Amendment), or any refinancing thereof, in each case, is outstanding on the date that is 91 days prior to the earliest maturity date of any such indebtedness or (ii) equal to or less than $ 100 million of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes or the Term Loans, in either case, is outstanding on the date that is 91 days prior to the earliest maturity date of any such indebtedness and a Reserve (as defined in the ABL Amendment) in the ABL Credit Facility has not been taken for such amount, then the maturity date of the ABL Credit Facility will be the date that is 91 days earlier than the earlier maturity date of the 2027 Senior Notes and the Term Loans. Item 16. Form 10–K Summary None. 106 Index to Exhibits Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit 3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 6, 2020). 3.2 Certificate of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2023). 3.3 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on December 6, 2022). 4.1 Indenture, dated as of November 6, 2020, by and among Academy, Ltd., as issuer, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee and notes collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 6, 2020). 4.2 Description of Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2023). 10.1 Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2020, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C., as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, the several lenders from time to time party thereto, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as the administrative agent and collateral agent and the several other parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 6, 2020). 10.2 Amendment No. 4, dated May 25, 2021, to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as the administrative agent and collateral agent, the several lenders party thereto and the several other parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2021). 10.3 Conforming Changes Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated May 17, 2023, which amends that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated November 6, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors, L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C., as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, the lending institutions from time to time party thereto and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Island Branch, as the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and the several other parties named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 31, 2023). 10.4 Amended and Restated Term Loan Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2015, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, each of the subsidiaries listed on the signature pages thereto, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent for the benefit of the secured parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.5 Amended and Restated Term Loan Pledge Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2015, among New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C, as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, each of the subsidiaries listed on the signature pages thereto and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent for the benefit of the secured parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.6 ABL Intercreditor Agreement, dated July 2, 2015, among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent for the ABL Secured Parties referred to therein, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Term Loan Secured Parties referred to therein, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C, as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, and each of the subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.7 Joinder to ABL Intercreditor Agreement, dated November 6, 2020, among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent for the ABL Secured Parties referred to therein, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent for the Term Loan Secured Parties referred to therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent for the Additional Debt Secured Parties referred to therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on January 25, 2021). 107 Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit 10.8 Joinder to ABL Intercreditor Agreement, dated November 6, 2020, among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent for the ABL Secured Parties referred to therein, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as agent for the Term Loan Secured Parties referred to therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on January 25, 2021). 10.9 First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated November 6, 2020, among Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as First Lien Collateral Agent and Authorized Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties referred to therein, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on January 25, 2021). 10.10 Amended and Restated ABL Security Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2015, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, each of the subsidiaries listed on the signature pages thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent for the benefit of the secured parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.11 Amended and Restated ABL Pledge Agreement, dated July 2, 2015, among New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C, as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, each of the subsidiaries listed on the signature pages thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent for the benefit of the secured parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.12 First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement, dated July 2, 2015, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C, as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, the lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer and the Swingline Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.13 Amendment No. 1 to First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of May 22, 2018, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C, as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, each of the Guarantors party thereto, each of the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer and the Swingline Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.14 Amendment No. 2 to First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2020, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors, L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C., as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, the several lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the letter of credit issuer, administrative agent and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 6, 2020). 10.15 Amendment No. 3, dated March 30, 2023, to First Amended and Restated ABL Credit Agreement, among Academy, Ltd., as Borrower, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, as Holdings, Associated Investors, L.L.C. and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C., as Texas Intermediate Holdcos, the lending institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer and the Swingline Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 6, 2023) 10.16 Amendment No. 4, dated March 8, 2024, to the First Amended and Restated ABL Credit agreement, dated as of July 2, 2015, among Academy, Ltd., as borrower, New Academy Holding Company, LLC, Associated Investors, L.L.C., and Academy Managing Co., L.L.C., as guarantors, the several lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the letter of credit issuer, swingline lender, administrative agent and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2024). 10.17 Notes Security Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2020, among Academy, Ltd., as Issuer, each of the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on January 25, 2021). 10.18 Notes Pledge Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2020, among Academy, Ltd., as Issuer, each of the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on January 25, 2021). 108 Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit 10.19† Form of Non-Employee Director Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on September 7, 2022). 10.20† Form of Q1 2023 CEO Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 31, 2023). 10.21† Form of Q1 2023 CEO Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 31, 2023). 10.22† Form of Q1 2023 CEO Time-Based Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 31, 2023). 10.23† Form of 2022 CEO Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 7, 2022). 10.24† Form of 2022 CEO Time-Based Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 7, 2022). 10.25† Form of Q2 2023 Executive Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 31, 2023). 10.26† Form of Q2 2023 Executive Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 31, 2023). 10.27† Form of Q2 2023 Executive Time-Based Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 31, 2023). 10.28† Form of 2023 Executive Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 6, 2023). 10.29† Form of 2023 Executive Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 6, 2023). 10.30† Form of 2023 Executive Time-Based Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 6, 2023). 10.31† Form of 2022 Executive Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 7, 2022). 10.32† Form of 2022 Executive Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 7, 2022). 10.33† Form of 2022 Executive Time-Based Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 7, 2022). 10.34† Form of 2021 RSU Executive Retention Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on From 10-Q filed on December 10, 2021). 10.35† 2021 Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2021). 10.36† 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on December 10, 2020). 10.37† 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended by the First Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2023). 10.38† Form of Time-Based Option Agreement under 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.39† Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.40† 2020 Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.41† 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.42† Form of 2020 CEO Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 109 Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit 10.43† Form of 2020 Executive Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.44† Form of 2019 CEO Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.45† Form of 2019 Executive Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.46† Form of 2018 CEO Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.47† Form of 2018 Executive Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.48† Form of 2018 Non Executive Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 7, 2021). 10.49† Form of 2017 Executive Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.50† Form of 2016 Executive Option Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.51† Form of August 2020 Restricted Unit Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.52† Form of 2020 CEO Restricted Unit Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.53† Form of 2020 Executive Restricted Unit Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.54† Form of 2019 Executive Restricted Unit Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.55† Form of 2018 CEO Restricted Unit Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (as amended) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.56† Form of Independent Non-Employee Director Restricted Unit Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.57† Form of 2018 Executive Restricted Unit Agreement under 2011 Unit Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.58† Ken C. Hicks Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 26, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2023). 10.59† Michael P. Mullican Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 26, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2023). 10.60† Steven (Steve) P. Lawrence Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 26, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2023). 10.61† Samuel (Sam) J. Johnson Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated October 23, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 23, 2023). 10.62† Earl Carlton (Carl) Ford, IV Employment Agreement, dated July 6, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 11, 2023). 110 Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit 10.63† Manish Maini Employment Agreement, dated May 25, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on September 7, 2022). 10.64† 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.65† Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 23, 2020). 10.66†* Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, effective March 18, 2024. 21.1* Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 23.1* Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (with respect to the financial statements of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc.). 31.1* Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 31.2* Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.1** Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2** Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 97.1†* Policy Relating to Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation. 101.INS XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. 101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document 104 The cover page for the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 has been formatted in Inline XBRL. * Filed herewith ** This certification accompanies each report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. † Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this Annual Report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. 111 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on March 21, 2024 on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized. ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, INC. By: /s/ EARL CARLTON FORD, IV Earl Carlton Ford, IV Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated: Signature Title Date /s/ STEVEN LAWRENCE Chief Executive Officer and Director March 21, 2024 Steven Lawrence (principal executive officer) /s/ EARL CARLTON FORD, IV Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer March 21, 2024 Earl Carlton Ford, IV (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) /s/ KEN C. HICKS Executive Chairman March 21, 2024 Ken C. Hicks /s/ WENDY A. BECK Director March 21, 2024 Wendy A. Beck /s/ BRIAN T. MARLEY Director March 21, 2024 Brian T. Marley /s/ TOM M. NEALON Director March 21, 2024 Tom M. Nealon /s/ THERESA E. PALERMO Director March 21, 2024 Theresa E. Palermo /s/ BERYL B. RAFF Director March 21, 2024 Beryl B. Raff /s/ CHRIS L. TURNER Director March 21, 2024 Chris L. Turner /s/ JEFF C. TWEEDY Director March 21, 2024 Jeff C. Tweedy 112 ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, INC. SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (in thousands) Balance at beginning of period Charged to costs and expenses Deductions Balance at end of period February 3, 2024: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 2,004 $ 1,107 $ ( 894 ) (1) $ 2,217 Sales return allowance 6,100 11,200 (2) ( 10,900 ) (2) 6,400 Inventory shrink adjustments 4,960 99,444 ( 92,582 ) (3) 11,822 Self-insurance reserves 30,170 70,509 ( 75,669 ) (4) 25,010 January 28, 2023: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 732 $ 1,426 $ ( 154 ) (1) $ 2,004 Sales return allowance 6,200 11,900 (2) ( 12,000 ) (2) 6,100 Inventory shrink adjustments 11,696 79,150 ( 85,886 ) (3) 4,960 Self-insurance reserves 24,509 74,292 ( 68,631 ) (4) 30,170 January 29, 2022: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 1,172 $ 74 $ ( 514 ) (1) $ 732 Sales return allowance 5,800 13,200 (2) ( 12,800 ) (2) 6,200 Inventory shrink adjustments 8,504 74,441 ( 71,249 ) (3) 11,696 Self-insurance reserves 22,065 72,313 ( 69,869 ) (4) 24,509 (1) Represents write-offs to the reserve. (2) Represents the monthly increase (decrease) in the required reserve based on the Company's evaluation of anticipated merchandise returns. (3) Represents the actual inventory shrinkage experienced at the time of physical inventories. (4) Represents claim payments for self-insured claims. 113