SidelineSwap
SidelineSwap is a Boston-based peer-to-peer online marketplace founded in 2014 that enables athletes, families, and pro-stock resellers to buy and sell new and used sporting goods across 30+ sports categories, with a B2B trade-in technology layer deployed at 850+ DICK'S Sporting Goods stores.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What SidelineSwap does
SidelineSwap, Inc. is a privately held Boston-based online marketplace founded in 2014 that enables peer-to-peer buying and selling of new and used sporting goods across more than 30 sports categories — including hockey, baseball, softball, golf, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding, football, basketball, cycling, and disc golf. The platform serves individual athletes, sports families, and pro-stock resellers seeking affordable equipment or a channel to monetize unused gear, with a stated 2M+ registered users and 5M+ items sold over its lifetime. SidelineSwap generates revenue primarily through a 12% seller fee on transactions (reducing to 10% after a seller's first five sales), supplemented by standard payment processing fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction; listings are free. A second revenue stream comes from a trade-in program that lets customers drop off used equipment at retail partner locations — most notably across 850+ DICK'S Sporting Goods stores — for instant store credit, with SidelineSwap then reselling the traded-in inventory through the marketplace. Supporting platform features include the Value Guide pricing tool, buyer protection coverage with Seel-backed returns, an iOS mobile app, and Elite Seller and Pro Stock Reseller verification tiers.
The underlying technology stack centers on a marketplace platform augmented by a Shippo-integrated multi-carrier shipping layer (99.99% uptime, 85+ carriers) that delivered a 50% improvement in shipping margins, and a B2B trade-in technology layer licensed to retail partners for in-store equipment valuation and processing. Distribution is digital-first via sidelineswap.com and the iOS app, augmented by physical trade-in touchpoints at DICK'S Sporting Goods. SidelineSwap's go-to-market is product-led growth: frictionless self-serve listings and selling, supported by sport-specific content marketing (buying guides, YouTube channels for hockey/baseball/football/lacrosse, Instagram accounts) targeting top-of-funnel organic search and social traffic. The company is privately held, backed by strategic investments from DSG Ventures (the venture arm of DICK'S Sporting Goods) and eBay Ventures, alongside prior investors including FJ Labs, Global Founders Capital, PEAK6 Sports, and RiverPark Ventures.
SidelineSwap firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SidelineSwap
- Legal name
- SidelineSwap, Inc.
- Website
- https://sidelineswap.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SidelineSwap is a Boston-based peer-to-peer online marketplace founded in 2014 that enables athletes, families, and pro-stock resellers to buy and sell new and used sporting goods across 30+ sports categories, with a B2B trade-in technology layer deployed at 850+ DICK'S Sporting Goods stores.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SidelineSwap industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Sporting Goods Marketplace
- NAICS
- Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Sporting Goods Retailers (459110), Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers (4591)
- SIC
- Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Books, Media, Games & Hobbies C2C (CRAFAKAH)
Keywords
Where SidelineSwap is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SidelineSwap business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations
Revenue model
- Marketplace Commission: SidelineSwap charges a 12% seller fee on transactions (reduced to 10% after a seller's first 5 sales) plus standard payment processing of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Listings are free. Revenue is generated purely from transaction fees when items sell.
- Trade-in Services: Trade-in program enables customers to drop off used equipment at partner stores for instant store credit. SidelineSwap generates revenue through the resale of traded-in items on its marketplace platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Seller Fee |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Value Guide Pricing Tool |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
SidelineSwap product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SidelineSwap operates a peer-to-peer online marketplace where individual athletes and sports families buy and sell new and used sporting goods across 30+ sports categories. The company also runs a B2B trade-in program that allows customers to drop off used equipment at partner retail locations for instant store credit, with flagship deployment across 850+ DICK'S Sporting Goods stores. Revenue is generated via a 12% seller fee (reduced to 10% after first 5 sales) plus standard payment processing on completed transactions.
Product overview
SidelineSwap operates as a peer-to-peer online marketplace for sporting goods, featuring both a core marketplace platform and a trade-in service. The core SidelineSwap Marketplace enables athletes to buy and sell new and used gear across 30+ sports categories including hockey, baseball, golf, lacrosse, softball, skiing, snowboarding, football, basketball, cycling, tennis/racquet sports, and disc golf. The Trade-In Program offers a streamlined alternative where customers can drop off gear at partner retail locations (including 850+ DICK'S Sporting Goods stores) for instant store credit. Supporting features include the Value Guide for pricing research, Buyer Protection with Seel-backed returns, and specialized seller tiers including Pro Stock Reseller and Elite Seller programs. The platform generates revenue through seller fees (12% initially, reducing to 10% after first 5 sales plus payment processing).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SidelineSwap Marketplace Core peer-to-peer online marketplace where individual athletes, parents, and sports enthusiasts buy and sell new and used sporting goods across 30+ sports categories including hockey, baseball, golf, lacrosse, softball, skiing, snowboarding, football, basketball, cycling, tennis/racquet sports, and disc golf. Listings are free; revenue is generated via a 12% seller fee (reduced to 10% after first 5 sales) plus payment processing on completed transactions.
- Trade-In Program Streamlined trade-in service allowing customers to skip the self-listing process and drop off used sporting equipment at partner retail locations for instant store credit. Currently flagship-deployed across 850+ DICK'S Sporting Goods stores nationwide for baseball and softball bats, with planned expansion to additional equipment categories. SidelineSwap resells traded-in items on its marketplace platform.
- SidelineSwap iOS Mobile App Native iOS application for iPhone allowing users to browse listings, purchase sporting goods, create and manage seller listings, and track transactions from mobile devices.
Quantifiable outcome
- Buyers save up to 70% on sporting gear
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SidelineSwap
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SidelineSwap technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
SidelineSwap partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- DICK'S Sporting GoodsflagshipDICK'S Sporting Goods partnered with SidelineSwap to launch a trade-in program for used baseball and softball bats at over 850 store locations nationwide. The program offers customers e-gift cards in exchange for equipment, averaging $70 per bat. Customers can get quotes online or in-store and drop off items, supporting sustainability and making baseball/softball more accessible.
- ShippocorePartnership with Shippo providing multi-carrier shipping software with 99.99% uptime, access to 85+ carriers including regional and international options. The integration enabled SidelineSwap to increase shipping margins by 50% through per-label billing and discounted rates.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SidelineSwap competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- StockX: StockX operates a leading C2C marketplace for sneakers and sports collectibles with authentication. It is directly comparable to SidelineSwap as a vertical C2C marketplace with buyer protection and authentication/condition verification for sports-related goods.
- Mercari: Mercari is a general C2C marketplace in the US with a flat 10% selling fee and buyer protection. Directly comparable marketplace model, take-rate structure, and target user (individuals reselling personal items).
- Reverb: Reverb is a peer-to-peer marketplace for new and used musical instruments with buyer protection. Highly comparable business model to SidelineSwap—vertical C2C marketplace with a take-rate, focus on enthusiast buyers/sellers, and value guide pricing tools.
- Poshmark: Poshmark is a leading social C2C marketplace for fashion and apparel with seller fees. Comparable marketplace mechanics (commission-based, buyer protection, peer-to-peer) and intersects with SidelineSwap's apparel and fanwear categories.
- OfferUp: OfferUp is a mobile-first C2C marketplace with local pickup and shipping options. Comparable marketplace business model targeting individuals selling used goods, intersecting with SidelineSwap on used sports equipment listings.
Regional players
- Decathlon: Decathlon is a major global sporting goods retailer with growing US presence, including trade-in and second-life programs for used equipment. Comparable as a sporting goods seller exploring circular economy and trade-in models, primarily competing in EMEA.
Broad incumbents
- eBay: eBay is the largest general C2C marketplace and includes substantial sporting goods inventory. Also a SidelineSwap investor via eBay Ventures. Overlaps with SidelineSwap's core marketplace but at vastly broader scale and category scope.
- Facebook Marketplace: Facebook Marketplace is a general C2C marketplace integrated into Meta's social platform with massive user reach. Competes with SidelineSwap for casual sellers of used sporting goods but lacks vertical focus and buyer protection.
- Play It Again Sports: Play It Again Sports is the largest US franchise chain for buying and selling used sporting goods. Directly comparable in product category (used sporting goods) but operates through physical retail stores rather than an online marketplace.
Emerging players
- GOAT: GOAT is a leading C2C marketplace for sneakers and apparel with authentication. Comparable to SidelineSwap's marketplace mechanics with authenticated peer-to-peer resale, and overlaps with SidelineSwap's footwear and apparel categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SidelineSwap social profiles
Digital presenceSidelineSwap financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SidelineSwap leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
SidelineSwap funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SidelineSwap M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SidelineSwap
What does SidelineSwap do?
SidelineSwap operates a peer-to-peer online marketplace where individual athletes and sports families buy and sell new and used sporting goods across 30+ sports categories. The company also runs a B2B trade-in program that allows customers to drop off used equipment at partner retail locations for instant store credit, with flagship deployment across 850+ DICK'S Sporting Goods stores. Revenue is generated via a 12% seller fee (reduced to 10% after first 5 sales) plus standard payment processing on completed transactions.
Is SidelineSwap a public or private company?
SidelineSwap is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SidelineSwap founded?
SidelineSwap was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SidelineSwap based?
SidelineSwap is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does SidelineSwap make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Marketplace Commission is the primary driver. The others are trade-in Services.
Who are SidelineSwap's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are StockX, Mercari, Reverb, Poshmark and OfferUp. Decathlon is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Play It Again Sports. GOAT is listed as an emerging player.
Does SidelineSwap have an API?
No public API is recorded for SidelineSwap.
What industry is SidelineSwap in?
SidelineSwap's product category is Online Sporting Goods Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFAKAH, Books, Media, Games & Hobbies C2C. Its NAICS code is 45911 and its SIC code is 5945.