Sporting Life was founded in 1979 as a privately owned company by David and Patti Russell (husband and wife), and Brian McGrath.

They also have a 42,000-square-foot anchor space at Sherway Gardens, which relocated to a new wing in 2015 as part of the mall's expansion and renovation, while the original location was replaced by Nordstrom in 2017.

Sporting Life had bought Ottawa-based Tommy & Lefebvre on June 25, 2013, and moved their staff from the Bank Street location to their new store at a reconstructed Lansdowne Park in October 2014.

[2] Two more stores opened in 2017; one at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in part of the space previously occupied by Sears Canada, and another at Calgary's CF Market Mall.

[citation needed] Sporting Life stocks outerwear, athleticwear, footwear, bikes, skis, snowboards and lifestyle apparel.

[9] Sporting Life's stock includes moderately prices brands like Nike and Adidas as well as catering to an upmarket and enthusiast clientele.

Sporting Life's annual sales are reported to be under $200 million but this is unconfirmed as the company is privately held and does not make its financial statements public.