OWINGS MILLS, MD-Sports Authority has leased 35,000 square feet for a new sporting goods store that will be located at Reisterstown Road here. H&R Retail's Geoff Mackler and David Ward represented the tenant in the transaction. H&R Retail, which announced the deal, didn't provide information about the location.

Headquartered in Englewood, CO, Sports Authority has more than 475 locations in 43 states. The retailer has opened a number of new stores around the country in recent months – 11 by one media count -- with Owings Mills included in its expansion.

In October 2013, for example, Sports Authority opened a store in Culpeper, VA under its "small store concept" initiative that it calls S.A. Elite. The 12,000-square foot format is aimed at upscale consumers.

Also in October, Sports Authority opened its first location in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The 35,000 square-foot store is located in Plaza del Caribe. The company expects to open two additional stores in San Juan.

Sports Authority also recently opened a presence in Klamath Falls, OR, taking space in a vacant Borders Express and Hallmark in Jefferson Square Mall.

In Hawaii, Sports Authority opening a 42,000-square foot store in Kauai in spring of 2014 at Kukui Grove Center. This will be the retailer's eight store in the state.

In August of 2013 it opened at store in Florida's north Brevard County at the Merritt Square mall. It also has stores in Melbourne and in Viera.

There are other indications of growth from the retailer. When announcing its holiday season hiring plans Sports Authority said that many of the 5,000 part-time and temporary workers will be converted into part-time and full-time employees after the holidays.