Liberty is buying Utah firm

The deal involving Backcountry.com to close in 2nd quarter

Park City-based Backcountry.com, a Web-based retailer of outdoor and sports equipment, will become part of Liberty Media Corp., the companies said Monday.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the companies said the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter.

The companies said the definitive agreement calls for Liberty Media to acquire a controlling stake in Backcountry.com.

Backcountry.com, a member of the Inc. 500, operates e-commerce sites Backcountry.com, BackcountryOutlet.com, TramDock.com, DogFunk.com, SteepandCheap.com and WhiskeyMilitia.com.

Mike Geraci, a spokesman for Backcountry.com, said little will change with the company.

"Everything is going to stay the same with management and the structure," Geraci said. "Everybody's staying on board. They're not moving. They're staying in Park City and Salt Lake City, so there's not much that's going to change."

Founded in 1996, Backcountry.com has about 80 employees in Park City and about 220 at a 200,000-square-foot distribution center in West Valley City.

"I think Backcountry had several suitors, and one of the reasons they went with Liberty is their hands-off philosophy toward the people they acquire," Geraci said.

Denver-based Liberty Media Corp. has interests in electronic retailing, media, communications and entertainment businesses. It said its interest in Backcountry.com will be attributed to the Liberty Interactive group, a part of the company that also has interests in QVC, Provide Commerce, IAC/InterActiveCorp and Expedia. The Liberty Capital group has interests in Starz Entertainment, News Corp. and Time Warner.

A Backcountry.com official in January said the company, armed with a $1.37 million tax-rebate incentive from the state, planned to spend more than $4.8 million to increase operations in Park City and West Valley City and add about 1,250 new jobs. In documents filed with the state, the company said it was expecting sales to grow nearly 500 percent over the next five years.

Geraci said he believed the Liberty acquisition would have no effect on those expansion plans. "They're being left alone," he said of Backcountry.com. "Liberty really likes where Backcountry is going, and they're pretty psyched to help them get there."

Attempts to contact Jim Holland, Backcountry.com chief executive officer and co-founder, were unsuccessful Monday. However, in a prepared statement, Holland said "there is no better ally for Backcountry.com than Liberty Media."

Comments

• Most Popular
• Most Commented

1. Jewish family makes peace with LDS baptism
2. Lindon family's sinking-home nightmare brings $3.1 million award
3. BYU football: For Cougars, MWC is priority number one
4. Lobos will bring the heat in frosty Provo
5. Shame on LDS Church
6. MormonTimes.com: Original 'Poor Wayfaring Man' had different tune
7. Utah Jazz: Backup point guard contenders both look good
8. Palin unlawfully abused power in trooper firing, inquiry finds
9. Utah Utes football: U. expects a chilly reception in Laramie
10. Utah Jazz: Sloan still has high opinion of Collins

1. Shame on LDS Church 398
2. LDS Church urges pro-Proposition 8 calls 272
3. Calls about Prop. 8 not imminent 214
4. High school football: Top 25 189
5. Sparks fly over lousy economy 165
6. Speed gamer: BYU's Collie average on the track, unbeatable on the field 145
7. Hats off to Sakoda, Rams, Aggies, Cougs 118
8. Details on new LDS temples revealed 100
9. Grand opening, but ... Real Salt Lake fails to make up ground in MLS playoff push 99
10. Palin is breath of fresh air 95
11. (Stories published in the last five days with the most comments)

• Utah
• Sports
• World & U.S.