-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 I1YljPIy3g+rgmHfkJeQWRtQGm4WbaqiU9kvw5x+sTtbe7zafmB44swg9I+NWbes
 R25yk4F1jh2efzAeSgei2Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000912262-04-000047.txt : 20040927
<SEC-HEADER>0000912262-04-000047.hdr.sgml : 20040927
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040927131938
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000912262-04-000047
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040924
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040927
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040927

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILDENBERG THOMAS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001241344

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31746
		FILM NUMBER:		041046672

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GART SPORTS CO
		STREET 2:		1050 W HAMPDEN AVE
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80110
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3038632665

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SPORTS AUTHORITY INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000912262
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES [5940]
		IRS NUMBER:				841242802
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0103

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1050 WEST HAMPDEN AVENUE
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80110
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3032005050

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1050 WEST HAMPDEN AVENUE
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80110

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GART SPORTS CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930921
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-24</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000912262</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SPORTS AUTHORITY INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TSA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001241344</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WILDENBERG THOMAS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O THE SPORTS AUTHORITY, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1050 WEST HAMPDEN AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ENGLEWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80110</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. V.P. - Finance</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-09-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>465</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>23.32</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>24135</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-07-03</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-07-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.625</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-03-16</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-03-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>13.97</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-08-09</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-08-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-12-18</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-12-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.42</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-09-24</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-09-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.88</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-08-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-08-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) consists of awards of restricted stock at varying vesting terms as previously reported that were granted under the 1994 Management Equity Plan and the 2003 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Non-qualified stock options vest 25% on each anniversary date of the date of grant over a period of four years, subject to early termination under certain circumstances, and to earlier vesting upon a Change of Control.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned at End of Month are at varying exercise prices and vesting terms as previously reported.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">20% on each annual anniversary of the date of grant over a period of 5 years, subject to early termination under certain circumstances, and to earlier vesting upon a Change of Control.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas Wildenberg</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----