Bass Pro Shops to Acquire Cabela's

by
posted on October 3, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bass.jpg

After months of speculation and rumor in the outdoor industry, Bass Pro Shops has announced it will acquire longtime competitor Cabela’s for about $5.5 billion, which equates to $65.50 per share. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2017, subject to the customary conditions and review. Until that time, according to an open letter to Bass Pro team members and customers, both businesses will continue to operate as separate, independent companies. "It is business as usual at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's and there will be no immediate impact to our stores," according to the website statement.

An official press release explained that a driving force behind this agreement was the “highly complementary business philosophies, product offerings, expertise and geographic footprints of the two businesses." The combination brings together three of the nation's premier sporting brands: Cabela’s, a leader in hunting; Bass Pro Shops, a leader in fishing; and White River Marine Group, a worldwide leader in boating, which is part of Bass Pro Shops.

"Today's announcement marks an exceptional opportunity to bring together three special companies with an abiding love for the outdoors and a passion for serving sportsmen and sportswomen," said Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops. "We look forward to continuing to celebrate and grow the Cabela’s brand alongside Bass Pro Shops and White River as one unified outdoor family.”

Tommy Millner, Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer, said, "Having undertaken a thorough strategic review, during which we assessed a wide variety of options to maximize value, the Board unanimously concluded that this combination with Bass Pro Shops is the best path forward for Cabela’s, its shareholders, outfitters and customers."

Cabela’s was founded in 1961 by Dick, Mary and Jim Cabela, and today has more than 19,000 “outfitters” operating 85 specialty retail stores, primarily in the western U.S. and Canada, and has built a passionate and loyal base of millions of enthusiasts who shop both at its retail stores and online.

Bass Pro Shops, founded in 1972 by avid young angler Johnny Morris, is a leading national retailer of outdoor gear and apparel, with 99 stores and Tracker Marine Centers located primarily in the eastern part of the U.S. and Canada. Bass Pro Shops employs approximately 20,000 team members and has been named by Forbes as one of "America's Best Employers." The company also operates Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains.

Read an Open Letter from Johnny Morris to Bass Pro Team Members and Customers

Latest

Marines are wearing Model 1911 pistols and carrying Winchester 12-ga. “trench guns.”
Marines are wearing Model 1911 pistols and carrying Winchester 12-ga. “trench guns.”

Arms Of The Mail Guard Marines

While difficult to imagine today, brazen armed thefts of the U.S. Mail in the 1920s became all too common and beyond the abilities of mail personnel to handle. Enter the U.S. Marines—armed to the teeth.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 13, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Editor’s Choice: Trijicon MRO SD

As can be sussed out from its name, the Miniature Rifle Optic (MRO) is a sealed reflex sight developed by Trijicon for use aboard carbines and rifles to facilitate lightning-quick target acquisition and smooth transitions between multiple targets.

Preview: MAC 9 DS Duty

Military Armament Corp. (MAC) introduced an affordable 2011-style pistol in 2024 with its MAC 9 DS.

The Chiappa 86 Wildlands: A Modern Take On The Winchester 1886 Lever-Action

Chiappa has updated the nearly 150-year-old Winchester Model 1886 lever-action design with the 86 Wildlands Angle Ejection Takedown, giving it added versatility in the way of accessory-attachment points and optics-mounting.

Preview: White River Knife & Tool Ursus 45

The White River Knife & Tool Ursus 45 offers plenty of hand-filling area that is made all the more comfortable by way of well-shaped, replaceable burlap Micarta scales.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.