Entrepreneur Mike Ashley is causing a stir with the full-list float of Sports Direct. Claiming to be the country’s biggest sports retailer by revenue and operating profit (even bigger than JJB Sports), Sports Direct operates through the Sports World, Sports Direct and Lillywhites.

Entrepreneur Mike Ashley is causing a stir with the full-list float of Sports Direct. Claiming to be the country’s biggest sports retailer by revenue and operating profit (even bigger than JJB Sports), Sports Direct operates through the Sports World, Sports Direct and Lillywhites. It owns an array of sports brands including Slazenger and Donnay.

The company owns an array of sports brands including Slazenger and Donnay. Founded by Ashley in the 1980s, it is expected to command a massive market price tag of between £1.8 billion and £2.3 billion, following an offer with institutions to raise £810 million.

Merrill Lynch is leading the float.