Mike Ashley praises magnificent staff

RNS Number : 2720Q

Sports Direct International Plc

08 September 2017

 

8 September 2017

SPORTS DIRECT INTERNATIONAL PLC

("Sports Direct" or the "Company")

Media Statement: Mike Ashley praises magnificent staff

Mike Ashley today praised staff at Sports Direct following the Company's announcement that it is to pay employee share bonuses worth over £43million.

Mr Ashley, Chief Executive at Sports Direct International plc, said: "The people at Sports Direct deserve every penny of these bonuses. It's thanks to their magnificent achievements and fantastic loyalty that we are able to make progress towards becoming the 'Selfridges' of sport."     

The retail boss spoke following a stock exchange announcement on Friday in which Sports Direct said a total of 11,104,370 ordinary shares were acquired by almost 2,000 participants following the exercise of awards under the Company's share schemes.  The shares vested at 390p - creating a bonus pool worth over £43million.

The awards were made to eligible staff at all levels of the Company who had taken part in a share scheme launched in 2011.  Sports Direct recently announced in its Annual Report that it expects to pay other awards and incentives this year of around £19million, from which both permanent and casual staff can benefit.  

The incentives are on top of normal wages, which the Company says are banded at rates above National Minimum Wage, and for those aged 25 or over are above the statutory National Living Wage. The Company also reiterated that casual workers at Sports Direct are entitled to accrued holiday pay and statutory sick pay.

A spokesman for Sports Direct said: "It our policy to treat all people at Sports Direct with dignity and respect and we will continue to make positive difference."

Ends.

Sports Direct International plc Cameron Olsen, Company Secretary	T. 0344 245 9200 E. [e-mail]
KBA PR                                  Keith Bishop	T. 0207 734 9995 E. [e-mail]

 

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