WE SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT US!
Since 1956
JOIN THE HISTORY. BE A PART OF THE FUTURE.
OUR HISTORY
Nation’s Best Sports (NBS) is a nationwide sporting goods buying group that was established in 1956 when Claude Manning and three friends—Joe Lipsey, E.J. “Buck” Buchanan and Paul Self, all of whom owned war-surplus stores—decided to pool their purchases and create the first sporting goods buying group, the Southwest Buying Syndicate.
Today, NBS offers independent retailers a diverse portfolio of buying opportunities in all categories of outdoor sports and general sporting goods. NBS hosts different buying Markets that differ from industry trade shows because they are actual order writing and buying markets only open to Member retail store owners, their buyers and approved vendors.
Nation’s Best Sports (NBS) is a premier sporting goods buying group that was established in 1956 when E. Claude Manning, owner of Manning’s Sports Center in Fort Worth, Texas, and a group of friends and surplus business associates decided to pool an order for merchandise to obtain a lower price. To be competitive, they knew they must buy direct from the manufacturer, and buying direct meant buying in volume. From this modest beginning, the first sporting goods buying group, originally named the Southwest Buying Syndicate, was born.
For 70 years, NBS has supported independent retailers in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico with a wide range of buying opportunities in the outdoor sports and general sporting goods categories. Our exclusive buying Markets go beyond traditional trade shows, providing a unique setting for our Members to connect with top-tier Vendors in the sporting goods industry to place direct orders tailored to their needs.
460 +
RETAIL MEMBERS
1,500 +
VENDOR PARTNERS
50 +
STATES IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, & PUERTO RICO
Become a Member
NBS Members benefit from the power of group buying, while still operating as independent businesses. We provide access to competitive products from the nation’s best brands of sporting equipment and clothing.
Become a Vendor
NBS Vendors have an opportunity to network directly with pre-screened and approved retailers at our purchasing markets. Our category-specific markets allow potential customers to come to you in one central location.
Upcoming Markets
Summer Specialty Market
June 30 - July 1, 2023
Fall Semi-Annual Market
August 21 - 24, 2023
Fall Specialty Market
October 22 - 23, 2023
Become a Member
NBS Members benefit from the power of group buying, while still operating as independent businesses. We provide access to competitive products from some of the nation’s best brands.
Become a Vendor
NBS Vendors have the opportunity to network directly with pre-screened and approved retailers at our category-specific buying markets where members come to you in one central location.
Upcoming Markets
2026 Summer Athletic Specialty Market
June 1-3, 2026
2026 Fall Semi-Annual Market
August 24-27, 2026
2026 Athletic Member & Vendor Summit
November 2-4, 2026
