Michael Modell Dies

Michael Modell, co-president of Modell's Sporting Goods (New York), died over the weekend — reportedly from complications of Hodgkin's disease. He was 48.

Modell's Sporting Goods, founded in New York by Morris Modell in 1889, claims to be the nation's oldest family-owned and operated sporting goods retailer. Currently a division of Henry Modell & Co., Inc., it operates more than 80 stores (in malls, regional shopping centers and urban areas) throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Michael Modell was a member of the fourth generation of the family to participate in the business.

In addition to his company duties, Modell served on the board of directors of the National Retail Federation.