Champs Sports: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Champs Sports traces its corporate lineage back to the F.W. Woolworth Company, founded in 1879 as one of the first five-and-dime retail chains in the United States. In 1963, Woolworth purchased the Kinney Shoe Corporation, and during the 1960s and 1970s Woolworth diversified into specialty mall retail concepts, including launching Foot Locker in 1974. Champs Sports itself was founded in the mid-1980s (with company records citing 1984) as part of Woolworth's broader strategy of developing multiple specialty store formats aimed at enclosed shopping malls, offering a fuller assortment of sporting goods, footwear, and apparel across a wider range of sports than Foot Locker's core focus.

Woolworth Corporation was reorganized as Venator Group in 1998 and renamed Foot Locker, Inc. in 2001, reflecting the growing dominance of its athletic retail concepts over its original five-and-dime business. Champs Sports has continued to operate as a key Foot Locker banner alongside other brands including Kids Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, and WSS. In 2023, Foot Locker closed its long-running Eastbay catalog and e-commerce brand, merging its operations into the Champs Sports banner. Foot Locker itself was acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods more recently, becoming a subsidiary of that larger sporting goods retailer.

Champs Sports is headquartered administratively in Bradenton, Florida, with Foot Locker's overall corporate headquarters located in New York City. The chain has operated several hundred stores at its peak, concentrated in shopping malls, offering a wide selection of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment across multiple sports. Champs Sports' workforce includes sales associates, cashiers, and store managers supporting its mall-based retail format.

Company culture and employee programs: As part of Foot Locker, Champs Sports operates under shared corporate values emphasizing integrity, leadership, excellence, service, teamwork, innovation, and community. Following Foot Locker's acquisition by Dick's Sporting Goods, Champs Sports employees may have access to broader corporate resources and career paths within the combined organization. Benefits, scheduling, and advancement opportunities can vary by location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the athletic footwear and apparel retail industry, including Champs Sports, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Champs Sports is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for specialty retail employers handling cash transactions and inventory.

The hiring process for store-level positions at Champs Sports typically includes an application, an interview with a store manager, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a specialty retail role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the type of record and jurisdiction.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Champs Sports may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Champs Sports or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.