English JD, already the sole shareholder of Iberian Sports Retail Group, is the parent company that steers the group’s operations in Spain and Portugal. This umbrella also includes Sprinter. The Trade Registry Official Gazette published on Tuesday confirms the single-person declaration and notes that, after the holding completed the relevant operation, the multinational acquired 49.98% of the remaining shares held by the Portuguese Sonae and Segarra family. All along, the founder of the mentioned sporting goods chain remained a central figure in this spectrum of ownership.
Registration with the registry concludes a lengthy process that began in May, when minority partners activated a clause in the partnership agreement. The dispute between JD Sports and the minority investors forced a choice: either buy out the minority stake or compel the British firm to sell a portion of its own stake. The resolution responded to concerns about how the group’s various brands would develop in the future.
After months of deliberation, Segarra family members indicated a preference to keep the chain under their management, but JD Sports ultimately chose to maintain a discreet stance for a period. The transaction, valued in the hundreds of millions of euros, was reported to regulators and listed on the British market in July, signaling a major capital move for the group.
Sprinter reports a strong year after a 30% sales surge
This strategic decision led to the separation of Sprinter’s shareholding from the founding family, and several family members stepped back from day-to-day administrative duties. The holding structure included multiple entities, and JD Sports announced the appointment of a new general manager for its Spanish sporting goods network in Catalonia, naming Francesc Casabella as the key executive to steer operations there.
Sprinter’s facilities are located in the Las Atalayas industrial complex. The developments and reorganizations within the group were further reflected in public notices as well as regulatory filings that highlighted the evolving governance of the diversified holdings.
In addition to the explicit declaration of ISRG’s status, regulatory bodies disclosed concurrent changes: the removal of Segarra family members and Sonae representatives from the boards of several companies and subsidiaries under the holding’s umbrella. These moves underscore a significant shift in leadership and governance across the network of brands in the Iberian market and beyond.
Strategic tensions among Sprinter shareholders
During the last financial year, ISRG reported revenue of 1,239.3 million euros, marking a 19.4% rise over the prior year. Net profit reached 96.6 million euros, up nearly 32%, underscoring a period of robust performance. The group now operates more than 460 stores across Europe, including JD’s Iberian footprint, Sprinter stores in Spain, Sport Zone in Portugal, and Aktiesport and Perry Sport in the Netherlands. It also holds a 98% stake in the online cycling platform Deporvillage and a 50.1% interest in the fitness equipment venture Bodytone.