It's How We Play the Game

Build a Business. Take a Stand. Make a Difference.

By: Ed Stack

Narrated by: Ed Stack

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Porchlight’s Best Leadership and Strategy Book of the Year 

An inspiring memoir from the CEO of DICK’s Sporting Goods that is “not only entertaining but will be of great value to any entrepreneur” (Phil Knight, New York Times best-selling author of Shoe Dog), this audiobook shows how a trailblazing business was created by giving back to the community and by taking principled, and sometimes controversial, stands - including against the type of weapons that are too often used in mass shootings and other tragedies.

It’s How We Play the Game tells the story of a complicated founder and an ambitious son - one who transformed a business by making it about more than business, conceiving it as a force for good in the communities it serves. In 1948, Ed Stack’s father started Dick’s Bait and Tackle in Binghamton, New York. Ed Stack bought the business from his father in 1984, and grew it into the largest sporting-goods retailer in the country, with 800 locations and close to nine billion dollars in sales. The transformation Ed wrought wasn’t easy: Economic headwinds nearly toppled the chain twice. But DICK’s support for embattled youth sports programs earned the stores surprising loyalty, and the company won even more attention when, in the wake of yet another school shooting - at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida - it chose to become the first major retailer to pull all semi-automatic weapons from its shelves, raise the age of gun purchase to 21, and, most strikingly, destroy the assault-style-type rifles then in its inventory. 

With vital lessons for anyone running a business and eye-opening reflections about what a company owes the people it serves, It’s How We Play the Game is “a compelling narrative.... In a genre that can frequently be staid, Mr. Stack’s corporate biography is deeply personal.... [Features] surprising openness [and] interesting and humorous anecdotes” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). 

©2019 Ed Stack (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

Great story read by the Author

Truly enjoyable and interesting story. Tons of great business lessons. CEO obviously had a tough time being reared by his dad but maybe helped to give him backbone.

A Street Fight for principles

Every life is a story of obstacles and achievements, but the tale that Ed Stack tells of his life and the company that he and his amazing team built from humble beginnings is heart warming, instructive and inspirational. And the story goes on.

Inspiring and informative!

I learned a lot about DSG from this truly captivating book. I’ve been a customer since the store opened at East View Mall and have shopped in DSGs around the country. I already loved the company and after hearing the story behind its soul, its passion to progress change and social well-being and, its street fighting fortitude, I’m an even bigger fan!

Amazing story

Truly enjoyed learning about the company and rich history! Can't wait to start with this company.

Good story

Not a bad story with a few tips for success,
Tells of how the author took Dick’s sporting goods and made it the big chain it is today.
I disliked the last few chapters due to it being mainly about Assault Rifle Laws.

Compelling and inspiring

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learning the story of Dick’s Sporting Goods. The author’s description of his grandfather was heart-warming and reminded me of my own. His account of navigating the tumultuous landscape of gun violence in the wake of the many tragic mass shootings left me with hope that there are still powerful leaders who do the right thing, even if it comes at a great cost to themselves and their businesses. Great read!

How $300 in a cookie jar became the greatest sports company in the world

A captivating story told he the man him self, Ed Stack. His passion for the company that his father started is truly inspiring. He continues to lead Dick’s Sporting Goods towards being a force of good, with the morals and lessons of sport as its mechanism of impact. Sports change lives! Listen to this story about a company who actually cares.

A great story. Truly fascinating

Really well done. Great story of doing what you feel is right no matter the cost.

Truly inspiring!!

What an amazing journey of Dick’s Sporting Good!! Truly motivational and genuinely heartfelt. Excellent present by Ed Stack. Really personalized the book!

Great story of one’s passion and drive building the foundation for Dicks

Such a great story and enjoyed following The company’s journey. This audio book was well read and easy to follow.