Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc.ASO
Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc. Debt Disclosure
Long-Term Debt
Our debt consisted of the following (amounts in thousands) as of:
| January 31, 2026 | February 1, 2025 | |||||||||||||
| ABL Facility, due March 2029 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Term Loan, due November 2027 | 85,750 | 88,750 | ||||||||||||
| Notes, due November 2027 | 400,000 | 400,000 | ||||||||||||
| Total debt | 485,750 | 488,750 | ||||||||||||
| Less current maturities | (3,000) | (3,000) | ||||||||||||
| Less unamortized discount on Term Loan | (227) | (361) | ||||||||||||
Less deferred loan costs (1) | (1,730) | (2,710) | ||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | $ | 480,793 | $ | 482,679 | ||||||||||
(1) Deferred loan costs are related to the Term Loan and Notes.
As of January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025, the balance in deferred loan costs related to the ABL Facility (as defined below) was approximately $4.6 million and $6.1 million, respectively, and was included in Other Noncurrent Assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total amortization of deferred loan costs was $2.5 million, $2.4 million and $2.4 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total expenses related to accretion of original issuance discount were $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, 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.
ABL Facility
We refer to the 2020 ABL Facility and the amendments thereto collectively as the “ABL Facility”.
On November 6, 2020, 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 in support of insurance contracts and occasionally for the purchase of import goods. As of January 31, 2026, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $7.6 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 $992.4 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 0.375%. The terms and conditions of the ABL Facility also require that we prepay outstanding loans under the ABL Facility under certain circumstances. As of January 31, 2026, no future prepayments of outstanding loans have been triggered under the terms and conditions of the ABL Facility.
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. In connection with the ABL Amendment and the reduction of two lenders who dropped out of the ABL Facility, the Company wrote off $0.4 million of deferred loan costs related to the ABL Facility.
Term Loan
We refer to the 2020 Term Loan and then amendments thereto collectively as the “Term Loan”.
On November 6, 2020, 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 named therein. 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 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 January 31, 2026, the weighted average interest rate was 7.72%, 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 January 31, 2026, no prepayment was due under the terms and conditions of the Term Loan.
Notes
On November 6, 2020, 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.
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.
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.
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 January 31, 2026.
As of January 31, 2026, scheduled principal payments on our debt are as follows (amounts in thousands):
| Fiscal Year | |||||
| 2026 | $ | 3,000 | |||
| 2027 | 482,750 | ||||
| 2028 | — | ||||
| 2029 | — | ||||
| 2030 | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 485,750 | |||
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mar 17, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Mar 21, 2024 | |
| 2023 | Mar 16, 2023 | |
| 2022 | Mar 29, 2022 | |
| 2021 | Apr 7, 2021 | |
About Debt Disclosures
Debt disclosures detail a company's borrowing structure — the types of instruments, interest rates, maturity schedule, and covenant restrictions that define its financial obligations and flexibility. This section is essential for assessing refinancing risk, interest rate exposure, and the margin of safety against financial distress.
Key signals: the maturity schedule reveals concentration risk — large maturities within 1-2 years during tight credit markets can force dilutive refinancing or asset sales. Compare the fair value of debt against carrying amount to gauge whether the market views the company's credit risk differently than the balance sheet suggests. Watch covenant compliance disclosures for tightening cushions, especially leverage and interest coverage ratios. Variable-rate debt exposure quantifies sensitivity to interest rate changes. Secured versus unsecured mix affects recovery rates and future borrowing capacity. Compare net debt-to-EBITDA against industry peers and covenant limits to assess financial health.