Let’s look at Dick’s Sporting Goods (Dick’s), the largest retailer of sporting goods in the United States. Think about Dick’s, all its stakeholders, what products it sells, and how and where it sells its products. Think about all the employees who work for Dick’s and the assets Dick’s needs to operate. Think about the business of Dick’s.

Now go to Dick’s website at www.dickssportinggoods.com. At the bottom of the page, click on Investor Relations. The Investor Relations section of Dick’s website contains a lot of information shareholders (also called stockholders) want and need. Next, click on Company Information. Navigate through this website and read all about the company. Then answer the following questions:

1. What is the mission statement of the business? What does it say about value?

2. What type of business is Dick’s? Is it a service company, a merchandising company, or a manufacturing company?

3. What products does Dick’s sell? Where does it get the products it sells?

4. Who are Dick’s customers?

5. Now consider Dick’s stock price. On January 30, 2017, you would pay $52.17 to own one share of Dick’s stock. When you add the value of all the shares of stock together, Dick’s is valued at over $4 billion. That’s a lot of money. Do you think Dick’s is worth that much money? What role do you think accounting plays in helping owners (shareholders) decide Dick’s value?