FINISH LINE INC /DE/
S-3/A, 1996-06-13
RETAIL STORES, NEC
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<PAGE>
 
     
  AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 13, 1996     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-03991     
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                ---------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                ---------------
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
 
              DELAWARE                              35-1537210
      (STATE OF INCORPORATION)         (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)

                           3308 N. MITTHOEFFER ROAD
                          INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46236
                                (317) 899-1022
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                                ---------------
 
                               MR. ALAN H. COHEN
                                   PRESIDENT
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
                           3308 N. MITTHOEFFER ROAD
                          INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46236
                                (317) 899-1022
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                  COPIES TO:
      JONATHAN K. LAYNE, ESQ.                H. KURT VON MOLTKE, ESQ.
    GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP                  KIRKLAND & ELLIS
       333 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE                 200 EAST RANDOLPH DRIVE
       LOS ANGELES, CA 90071                     CHICAGO, IL 60601
           (213) 229-7000                         (312) 861-2000
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
 
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [_]
 
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement from the same offering. [_] ___________________

  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_] ___________________

  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
       
       
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES. IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE   +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY STATE.                                                                    +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                   
                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 13, 1996     
 
PROSPECTUS
                                2,600,000 SHARES
                         [THE FINISH LINE, INC. LOGO]
                              CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
                                   --------
 
  Of the 2,600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby, 1,300,000
shares are being sold by The Finish Line, Inc. (the "Company") and 1,300,000
shares are being sold by certain stockholders. See "Selling Stockholders". The
Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling
Stockholders.
   
  The Company's Class A Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "FINL." The reported last sale price of the Company's Class A
Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on June 11, 1996 was $27.50 per
share. See "Price Range of Class A Common Stock."     
 
  The Company has two classes of authorized Common Stock: Class A Common Stock,
which is offered hereby, and Class B Common Stock. Holders of Class A Common
Stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Class B Common Stock
are entitled to ten votes per share. See "Description of Capital Stock-- Common
Stock."
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGES 6 TO 7 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
 
                                   --------
 
THESE SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS  THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
 ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION  TO THE CONTRARY
  IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             UNDERWRITING                PROCEEDS TO
                                   PRICE TO DISCOUNTS AND  PROCEEDS TO     SELLING
                                    PUBLIC  COMMISSIONS(1) COMPANY(2)  STOCKHOLDERS(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>      <C>            <C>         <C>
Per Share........................   $          $             $             $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3).........................  $          $            $             $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) For information concerning indemnification of the Underwriters, see
    "Underwriting."
   
(2) Before deducting expenses estimated at $436,000, of which approximately
    $401,000 is payable by the Company and approximately $35,000 is payable by
    the Selling Stockholders.     
(3) The Selling Stockholders have granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to
    purchase up to 390,000 additional shares of Class A Common Stock solely to
    cover over-allotments, if any. See "Underwriting." If such option is
    exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and
    Commissions and Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $      , $
    and $      , respectively.
 
                                   --------
 
  The shares of Class A Common Stock are being offered by the several
Underwriters named herein, subject to prior sales, when, as and if accepted by
them and subject to certain conditions. It is expected that certificates for
the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby will be available for
delivery on or about        , 1996 at the offices of Smith Barney Inc., 333
West 34th Street, New York, New York 10001.
 
                                   --------
 
SMITH BARNEY INC.
                           A.G. EDWARDS & SONS, INC.
                                                         OPPENHEIMER & CO., INC.
      , 1996
<PAGE>
 
                              [LOGO APPEARS HERE]
 
 
  TO CREATE AND OPERATE A SUPERIOR ATHLETIC SPECIALTY RETAIL ENTITY--BY
COMBINING CONCEPTUAL INNOVATION WHICH INCLUDES AN ENTERTAINING AND EXCITING
RETAIL ENVIRONMENT, THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND SYSTEMS,
CAPABLE AND FOCUSED MANAGEMENT, AND A DEDICATED AND MOTIVATED WORK FORCE
EMPOWERED WITH THE PROPER RESOURCES--IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CUSTOMERS A
BENEFICIAL AND UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.
 
                                                  - Corporate Mission Statement
                                                                           2/96
 
 
 
                                  [PICTURES]
 
 
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
OF THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN
THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET, OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY
BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE
MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET
IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10B-6A UNDER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
Circle Centre Mall, Indianapolis, IN
<PAGE>
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the information
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and the documents and Financial
Statements and Notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere
or incorporated by reference herein. Except as otherwise indicated, all
information contained in this Prospectus assumes that the Underwriters' over-
allotment option is not exercised. The Company's fiscal year ends on the last
day of February. As used in this Prospectus, "fiscal 1992," "fiscal 1993,"
"fiscal 1994," "fiscal 1995" and "fiscal 1996" refer to the Company's fiscal
years ended February 29, 1992, February 28, 1993, February 28, 1994, February
28, 1995 and February 29, 1996, respectively. "Fiscal 1997" and "fiscal 1998"
refer to the Company's fiscal years ending February 28, 1997 and February 28,
1998, respectively.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Finish Line, Inc. (the "Company" or "Finish Line") is one of the largest
specialty retailers of brand name athletic, outdoor and lifestyle footwear,
activewear and accessories in the United States. As of May 1, 1996, the Company
operated 229 stores in 25 states, primarily in enclosed malls. A Finish Line
store generally carries the largest selection of men's, women's and children's
athletic and casual shoes in the mall in which it is located, as well as a
broad assortment of activewear and accessories all at competitive prices. Brand
names offered by the Company include Nike, Fila, adidas, Reebok, Starter,
Champion, Asics, Airwalk, Logo Athletic, Timberland and Converse.
 
  The Company distinguishes itself from other athletic footwear specialty
retailers through its relatively large, mall-based store format. Finish Line's
stores average approximately 4,000 square feet, and its stores opened during
the most recent fiscal year average approximately 4,800 square feet. The
Company strives to create an exciting and entertaining retail environment by
continually updating its unique and highly functional store designs, while its
larger store size permits greater product depth and merchandising flexibility.
Since activewear and accessories represent higher gross margin opportunities,
Finish Line devotes a greater percentage of its sales area to such products
than typical athletic footwear specialty stores. Activewear and accessories
accounted for approximately 33% of the Company's sales in fiscal 1996.
 
OPERATING STRATEGIES
 
 . EMPHASIS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CONVENIENCE. The Company is committed to
  making shopping for athletic footwear and activewear an enjoyable experience
  for its customers by providing convenient mall-based store locations with
  highly functional store designs, offering competitive prices on brand name
  products, maintaining optimal in-stock levels of merchandise and employing
  knowledgeable and courteous sales associates.
 
 . INVENTORY MANAGEMENT. The Company's advanced information and distribution
  systems enable it to track inventory in each store by SKU on a daily basis,
  giving the Company flexibility to merchandise its products effectively. In
  addition, these systems allow the Company to respond promptly to changing
  customer preferences and to maintain optimal inventory levels. The Company's
  inventory management system features automatic replenishment driven by point-
  of-sale data capture and a highly automated distribution center, which
  enables the Company to ship merchandise to each store every third day.
 
 . PRODUCT DIVERSITY; BROAD DEMOGRAPHIC APPEAL. The Company stocks its stores
  with a combination of the newest high profile and brand name merchandise,
  unique products manufactured exclusively for the Company, as well as
  promotional and opportunistic purchases of other brand-name merchandise.
  Product diversity, in combination with the Company's store formats and
  commitment to customer service, is intended to attract a broad demographic
  cross-section of customers.
 
EXPANSION STRATEGIES
 
 . NEW STORE OPENINGS. Since its initial public offering in June 1992, Finish
  Line has expanded rapidly from 104 stores to 229 stores on May 1, 1996. The
  Company expects to open 30 to 35 new stores in fiscal 1997 and 35 to 45 new
  stores in fiscal 1998, which will represent increases of approximately 15% in
  each year. As a result of the Company's strategy of opening larger stores,
  including selected "large format" stores, the Company expects its total
  square footage to increase at an annual rate of approximately 23% and 25% in
  fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998, respectively.
 
                                       3

<PAGE>
 
 
 . LARGER STORES. Over the past four years, the Company has adopted a strategy
  of opening larger stores. This strategy allows for greater product depth and
  merchandising flexibility, which the Company believes improves its ability to
  compete against both mall-based and non-mall-based athletic retailers, and
  will result in Finish Line's average square footage per store increasing at a
  faster rate than its store count. The traditional stores which the Company
  currently has firm commitments to open in fiscal 1997 average approximately
  5,200 square feet. In addition, the Company opened a 20,000 square foot store
  in the Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis in fiscal 1996. This large format
  store is an upscale athletic specialty store designed and merchandised into
  seven distinct departments to satisfy the needs of the entire family. The
  initial performance of this store has been encouraging, and two additional
  large format stores are planned to open in fiscal 1997 in Buffalo and Denver.
  Subject to the results of these stores, the Company anticipates opening three
  to five additional large format stores in fiscal 1998.
 
 . COMMITMENT TO CONTINUALLY STRENGTHEN INFRASTRUCTURE. Over the past eighteen
  months, Finish Line has made a number of strategic infrastructure
  investments, including enhancements to its management, store formats, and
  distribution and information systems. Significant management additions and
  organizational changes include recruiting additional senior management
  professionals with significant industry experience and centralizing
  supervision of the Company's footwear and activewear/accessories departments
  to improve communication and coordination between the departments. In
  addition, staffs in both departments were increased to allow each buyer or
  merchandiser to focus more time and attention on their respective product
  categories. The Company has also invested in its management information
  systems and distribution center by implementing EDI and radio frequency
  technology and plans to commence building a 128,000 square foot addition to
  the distribution center in fiscal 1997. Management believes these
  infrastructure investments will improve the efficiency of the Company's
  inventory management and increase its in-stock position thereby facilitating
  its continued growth.
 
  The Company believes that its operating and expansion strategies have
contributed to its record of increasing net sales in each year since its
founding. Over the past five years, net sales have increased at a 25% compound
annual growth rate, and in fiscal 1996, net sales increased to $240.2 million,
a 25% improvement over the prior year period. The increase in fiscal 1996
included a 3.4% comparable store net sales gain resulting in an increase in net
sales per square foot to $308. This comparable store net sales growth, together
with improved expense controls and the leveraging of net sales increases over
its established infrastructure, have resulted in increased profits in recent
years. Net income increased to $9.7 million in fiscal 1996, a 15% improvement
over the prior year period.
 
  The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1992. The Company's principal
offices are located at 3308 N. Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46236,
and its telephone number is (317) 899-1022.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>
Class A Common Stock
 Offered by:
  Company................  1,300,000 shares
  Selling Stockholders...  1,300,000 shares
Shares of Common Stock
 Outstanding
 after the Offering:(1)
  Class A Common Stock...  6,692,762 shares
  Class B Common Stock...  4,934,537 shares
                          ----------
    Total Class A and     
     Class B............. 11,627,299 shares
                          ==========

Voting Rights............ One vote per share of Class A Common Stock and ten
                           votes per share of Class B Common Stock
Use of Proceeds.......... To repay bank indebtedness and for general corporate
                           purposes, including new store expansion.
Nasdaq National Market    
 Symbol.................. FINL
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) As of May 1, 1996. Excludes up to 572,251 shares of Class A Common Stock
    which are subject to stock options under the Company's 1992 Employee Stock
    Incentive Plan and Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                         SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
           (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND STORE OPERATING DATA)
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEAR ENDED
                          ----------------------------------------------------------------
                          FEBRUARY 29, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                            1992(1)      1993(1)        1994         1995         1996
                          ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
 Net sales..............    $98,420      $129,547     $157,011     $191,623     $240,155
 Cost of sales
  (including occupancy
  expenses).............     65,246        85,724      107,491      132,726      168,912
                            -------      --------     --------     --------     --------
 Gross profit...........     33,174        43,823       49,520       58,897       71,243
 Selling, general and
  administrative
  expenses..............     22,245        28,457       36,678       44,548       54,254
                            -------      --------     --------     --------     --------
 Operating income.......     10,929        15,366       12,842       14,349       16,989
 Interest expense.......        821           467          184          317          892
                            -------      --------     --------     --------     --------
 Income before income
  taxes.................     10,108        14,899       12,658       14,032       16,097
 Provision for income
  taxes.................      4,043         5,960        5,063        5,618        6,439
                            -------      --------     --------     --------     --------
 Net income.............    $ 6,065      $  8,939     $  7,595     $  8,414     $  9,658
                            =======      ========     ========     ========     ========
 Net income per share ..    $   .69      $    .95     $    .74     $    .82     $    .94
                            =======      ========     ========     ========     ========
 Weighted average
  shares(2).............      8,827         9,448       10,315       10,315       10,315
                            =======      ========     ========     ========     ========
SELECTED STORE OPERATING
 DATA:
 Number of stores:
  Opened during period..         20            27           35           30           35
  Closed during period..          4             1            1            4            5
  Open at end of period.        104           130          164          190          220
 Total square feet(3)...    340,362       435,784      565,588      691,831      870,340
 Average square feet per
  store(3)..............      3,273         3,352        3,449        3,641        3,956
 Net sales per square
  foot for stores open
  entire period.........    $   307      $    324     $    316     $    300     $    308
 Increase (decrease) in
  comparable store net
  sales(4)(5)...........        5.2%          8.3%        (2.3)%        1.7%         3.4%
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             FEBRUARY 29, 1996
                                                            --------------------
                                                                         AS
                                                             ACTUAL  ADJUSTED(6)
                                                            -------- -----------
<S>                                                         <C>      <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Working capital........................................... $ 32,453  $ 62,395
 Total assets..............................................  114,972   135,414
 Total debt................................................    9,500       --
 Stockholders' equity......................................   63,148    93,090
</TABLE>
- -------
(1) Financial information presented for fiscal 1992 and fiscal 1993 includes
    pro forma adjustments as reflected in notes 1 through 3 to "Selected
    Financial Data."
(2) Consists of weighted average shares outstanding for the period.
(3) Computed as of the end of each fiscal period. Calculation for fiscal 1996
    includes the Circle Centre Mall store which is 20,191 square feet in size.
    Without inclusion of this store, which is significantly larger than any
    other store, average square feet per store would be 3,882.
(4) Calculated using only those stores that were open for the full current
    fiscal period and were also open for the full prior fiscal period.
(5) The increase in comparable store net sales is based on the actual number of
    days (generally 365 days) in each year. 1996 and 1992 were leap years with
    366 days. If 365 days of sales were used for fiscal 1996, the increase in
    comparable store net sales would have been 3.1%. If 365 days of sales were
    used for fiscal 1992, the increase in comparable store net sales would have
    been 8.9% and 4.6% for fiscal 1993 and 1992, respectively.
(6) Adjusted to give effect to this offering and the application of the net
    proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  This Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein,
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). Also, documents
subsequently filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and incorporated herein by reference will contain forward-looking statements.
Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-
looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth below and the
matters set forth or incorporated in the Prospectus generally. The Company
cautions the reader, however, that this list of factors may not be exhaustive,
particularly with respect to future filings. In analyzing an investment in the
securities offered hereby, prospective investors should carefully consider,
along with the other matters referred to herein, the risk factors described
below.
 
DEPENDENCE ON MAJOR SUPPLIERS; PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
 
  The Company purchased approximately 70% and 80% of its merchandise in fiscal
1995 and fiscal 1996, respectively, from its five largest suppliers including
approximately 40% and 50% from Nike in such years. The Company expects Nike to
account for a larger percentage of its purchases in fiscal 1997 compared to
fiscal 1996. The Company's inability to obtain merchandise in a timely manner
from major suppliers (particularly Nike) could have a material adverse effect
upon the Company's operations and financial condition.
 
  Certain merchandise that is high profile and in high demand is limited by
the suppliers based upon the suppliers' internal criteria. Although the
Company has been able to purchase sufficient quantities of this merchandise in
the past, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be
allocated sufficient amounts of such merchandise in the future. In addition,
because the Company's suppliers have a substantial amount of their product
manufactured in foreign countries, the Company's ability to obtain sufficient
quantities of merchandise on favorable terms may be affected by fluctuations
in currency exchange rates and by governmental regulations and economic, labor
and other conditions in the countries from which the Company's suppliers
obtain their product. The People's Republic of China is a significant ultimate
source of the Company's footwear and apparel merchandise. Revocation by the
United States of the "most favored nation," non-discriminatory trading status
of China could result in a substantial increase in tariff rates on goods
imported from China and, therefore, could adversely affect the Company's
operations. In addition, trade and other sanctions in the form of retaliatory
duties or otherwise, which have and continue to be threatened against China,
could restrict or eliminate certain imports from China and thereby adversely
affect the Company's operations.
 
MERCHANDISE TRENDS
 
  The Company's success depends in part on its ability to anticipate and
respond to changing merchandise trends and consumer demands in a timely
manner. Accordingly, any failure by the Company to identify and respond to
emerging trends could adversely affect consumer acceptance of the merchandise
in the Company's stores, which in turn could adversely affect the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if the
Company miscalculates either the market for the merchandise in its stores or
its customers' purchasing habits, it may be faced with a significant amount of
unsold inventory, which could have an adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations.
 
FUTURE GROWTH
 
  The Company has experienced significant growth in net sales, from $98.4
million in fiscal 1992 to $240.2 million in fiscal 1996. Such growth has been
a result of the increase in the number of Company stores and increases in
sales and net income from existing stores. The future sales growth of the
Company will continue to depend on these factors. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to lease favorable store sites on satisfactory
terms and conditions, to hire and retain competent personnel to construct and
open stores on a timely basis, or to operate the stores profitably, or that
sales from existing stores will increase. See "Business--Expansion
Strategies."
 
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
EMPLOYEE COSTS
 
  Congress is currently considering legislation which would raise the federal
minimum wage that employers must pay most employees. The Company currently
employs approximately 3,200 employees on a part-time basis and 900 employees
on a full-time basis. Management believes that if legislation was passed that
substantially raised the minimum wage, the Company would have to raise the
wages for a substantial number of its employees, thereby having an adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations if such increased costs could
not be offset by a reduction in other costs or be passed on to consumers
through retail price increases.
 
RETAIL INDUSTRY; SEASONALITY
 
  The Company's sales could be adversely affected by a weak retail
environment. Footwear and activewear retailers are subject to general economic
conditions and purchases of footwear and activewear may decline during
recessionary periods. In addition, the Company's business tends to be seasonal
with a large percentage of annual sales occurring during the "back-to-school"
and year-end holiday periods and is also affected by adverse weather
conditions. An economic downturn during these periods could adversely affect
the Company to a greater extent than if such downturn occurred at other times
of the year. The Company's ability to achieve a high level of sales is
dependent in part on a high volume of mall traffic. Mall traffic may also be
adversely affected by economic downturns and by poor performance by or the
closing of "anchor" department stores.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
  The Company's future success depends to a significant extent on the efforts
and abilities of its executive officers. The loss of the services of certain
of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company believes
that its future success also will depend significantly upon its ability to
attract, motivate and retain additional highly skilled managerial personnel.
Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that
the Company will be successful in attracting, assimilating and retaining the
personnel it requires to grow and operate profitably. The Company does not
have employment or non-compete agreements with its executive officers. See
"Management--Executive Officers and Directors."
 
COMPETITION
 
  The retail footwear, activewear and accessories business is highly
competitive. Many of the stores with which the Company competes are units of
large national or regional chains that have substantially greater financial
and other resources than the Company. Among these stores are large athletic
"superstores," some of which are owned by major suppliers of the Company. In
many cases, the Company's stores are located in shopping centers or malls in
which one or more of its competitors also has a store. Many of the items sold
by the Company are sold by department stores, national and regional full line
sporting goods stores, athletic footwear specialty stores, athletic footwear
superstores, discount stores, traditional superstores and mass merchandisers.
A significant change in price, level of promotion or other strategies by the
Company's competitors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
results of operations. See "Business--Competition."
 
CONTROL OF COMPANY
 
  The Selling Stockholders (all of whom are officers and directors of the
Company) and their family members own substantially all of the outstanding
Class B Common Stock. As a result, upon the consummation of this offering the
Selling Stockholders and their family members will still have approximately
88% of the aggregate voting power of the Company, which will allow them to
control all actions to be taken by the stockholders, including the election of
all directors to the Board of Directors. See "Selling Stockholders" and
"Description of Capital Stock." This may have the effect of discouraging
offers to acquire the Company.
 
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
  The trading price of the Class A Common Stock could be subject to wide
fluctuations in response to variations in the Company's quarterly operating
results, changes in earnings estimates by analysts, conditions in the
Company's business or general market or economic conditions. In addition, in
recent years the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations. Such market fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on
the market price for the Common Stock.
 
                                       7

<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
   
  The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the
1,300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered by it, after deducting the
underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by the Company, are
estimated to be $29,941,875, based on the last reported sale price of the
Class A Common Stock on May 16, 1996. The Company intends to use the net
proceeds of this offering to repay all existing outstanding indebtedness under
its unsecured committed Loan Agreement (the "Facility Agreement") with a
commercial bank, and for general corporate purposes, including new store
expansion. The Company's outstanding indebtedness under the Facility Agreement
as of June 11, 1996 was $15.5 million. The Company will be permitted to
reborrow such amounts under the Facility Agreement, which expires on September
1, 1997. The effective borrowing rate at June 11, 1996 on the Facility was
approximately 6.2%. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of
shares by the Selling Stockholders.     
 
                      PRICE RANGE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
  The Class A Common Stock has been traded on Nasdaq National Market
("Nasdaq") since the Company's initial public offering in June 1992. The
following table sets forth for the periods indicated the range of high and low
sale prices of the Class A Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq.
 
<TABLE>       
<CAPTION>
                                                                   HIGH   LOW
                                                                  ------ ------
      <S>                                                         <C>    <C>
      Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 1995
        First Quarter............................................ $ 8.75 $ 5.75
        Second Quarter...........................................  10.50   5.88
        Third Quarter............................................  11.00   6.75
        Fourth Quarter...........................................   8.00   6.38
      Fiscal Year Ended February 29, 1996
        First Quarter............................................ $ 9.25 $ 5.75
        Second Quarter...........................................  12.75   7.88
        Third Quarter............................................   9.63   8.00
        Fourth Quarter...........................................   9.25   6.50
      Fiscal Year Ending February 28, 1997
        First Quarter............................................ $28.38 $ 8.75
        Second Quarter (through June 11, 1996)................... $28.88 $23.50
</TABLE>    
   
  On June 11, 1996, the reported last sale price of the Class A Common Stock,
as reported by Nasdaq, was $27.50 per share. As of June 11, 1996, the
approximate number of holders of record of Class A Common Stock was 265. The
Company believes that the number of beneficial holders of its Class A Common
Stock was in excess of 500 as of that date.     
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  Since the Company's initial public offering in June 1992, the Company has
not declared any dividends and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on
its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of any future
dividends will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and
will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, operations, capital
requirements, the general financial condition of the Company and general
business conditions. In addition, the Facility Agreement contains a provision
limiting the Company's ability to pay dividends.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth the short-term debt and capitalization of the
Company at February 29, 1996, and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of
the 1,300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered by the Company hereby
(assuming a per share offering price $24.63, the reported last sale price on
May 16, 1996) and the application by the Company of the estimated net proceeds
therefrom as set forth under "Use of Proceeds." This table should be read in
conjunction with the Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere
herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         FEBRUARY 29, 1996
                                                      -------------------------
                                                       ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED
                                                      ----------- -------------
                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>
Short-term debt(1)................................... $     9,500   $       --
                                                      ===========   ===========
Long-term debt....................................... $       --    $       --
                                                      -----------   -----------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share,
   1,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding.....         --            --
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, 32,000,000
   shares authorized:
    Class A Common Stock 20,000,000 shares
     authorized; 4,080,762 shares outstanding
     (6,680,762 as adjusted)(2)......................          41            67
    Class B Common Stock, 12,000,000 shares
     authorized; 6,234,537 outstanding (4,934,537 as
     adjusted).......................................          62            49
  Additional paid-in capital.........................      30,374        60,303
  Retained earnings..................................      32,671        32,671
                                                      -----------   -----------
    Total stockholders' equity.......................      63,148        93,090
                                                      -----------   -----------
      Total capitalization........................... $    63,148   $    93,090
                                                      ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Outstanding balance on the Facility Agreement was $19.4 million as of May
    15, 1996. See "Use of Proceeds."
(2) Excludes up to 584,251 shares of Class A Common Stock which are subject to
    stock options under the Company's 1992 Employee Stock Incentive Plan and
    Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
           (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND STORE OPERATING DATA)
 
  The selected financial data in the following table for the five years in the
period ended February 29, 1996 are derived from the financial statements of
the Company, which have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors. The selected store operating data and the pro forma income statement
data for the periods set forth below are unaudited. The data should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations," the Financial Statements and Notes thereto and
other financial information included elsewhere herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEAR ENDED
                          -----------------------------------------------------------------
                          FEBRUARY 29, FEBRUARY 28,  FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                              1992         1993          1994         1995         1996
                          ------------ ------------  ------------ ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
 Net sales..............    $98,420      $129,547      $157,011     $191,623     $240,155
 Cost of sales
  (including occupancy
  expenses).............     65,246        85,724       107,491      132,726      168,912
                            -------      --------      --------     --------     --------
 Gross profit...........     33,174        43,823        49,520       58,897       71,243
 Selling, general and
  administrative
  expenses(1)...........     23,642        28,667        36,678       44,548       54,254
                            -------      --------      --------     --------     --------
 Operating income.......      9,532        15,156        12,842       14,349       16,989
 Interest expense.......        821           467           184          317          892
                            -------      --------      --------     --------     --------
 Income before income
  taxes.................      8,711        14,689        12,658       14,032       16,097
 Provision for income
  taxes.................         97         2,812(2)      5,063        5,618        6,439
                            -------      --------      --------     --------     --------
 Net income.............    $ 8,614      $ 11,877      $  7,595     $  8,414     $  9,658
                            =======      ========      ========     ========     ========
PRO FORMA INCOME STATE-
 MENT DATA(3):
 Pro forma income before
  income taxes..........    $10,108      $ 14,899
 Pro forma provision for
  income taxes..........      4,043         5,960
                            -------      --------
 Pro forma net income...    $ 6,065      $  8,939
                            =======      ========
SHARE DATA:
 Net income per share
  (pro forma for fiscal
  1992 and 1993)(3).....    $   .69      $    .95      $    .74     $    .82     $    .94
                            =======      ========      ========     ========     ========
 Weighted average
  shares(4).............      8,827         9,448        10,315       10,315       10,315
                            =======      ========      ========     ========     ========
SELECTED STORE OPERATING
 DATA:
 Number of stores:
  Opened during period..         20            27            35           30           35
  Closed during period..          4             1             1            4            5
  Open at end of period.        104           130           164          190          220
 Total square feet(5)...    340,362       435,784       565,588      691,831      870,340
 Average square feet per
  store(5)..............      3,273         3,352         3,449        3,641        3,956
 Net sales per square
  foot for stores open
  entire period.........    $   307      $    324      $    316     $    300     $    308
 Increase (decrease) in
  comparable store net
  sales(6)(7)...........        5.2%          8.3%         (2.3)%        1.7%         3.4%
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Working capital........    $ 7,061      $ 24,066      $ 28,132     $ 30,050     $ 32,453
 Total assets...........     41,102        60,688        72,884       88,535      114,972
 Total debt.............      9,555         2,612         2,000        5,025        9,500
 Redeemable common
  stock.................      1,997           --            --           --           --
 Stockholders' equity...     14,086        37,461        45,073       53,487       63,148
</TABLE>
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
- --------
(1) Includes executive compensation expense for the Selling Stockholders of
    $2,647, $1,454, $1,147, $1,348 and $1,159, in fiscal 1992, 1993, 1994,
    1995 and 1996, respectively.
(2) Reflects the effect of the Company's treatment as a C corporation rather
    than an S corporation after June 11, 1992, including a one-time deferred
    tax credit of $1,108.
(3) Reflects the effect on the historical income statement data for fiscal
    1992 and fiscal 1993 as if the Company (i) had paid its four Selling
    Stockholders (who are also executive officers) annual executive
    compensation aggregating $1,250 and (ii) had been treated as a C
    corporation rather than an S corporation for income tax purposes, with an
    assumed effective tax rate of 40%.
(4) Consists of weighted average shares outstanding for the period.
(5) Computed as of the end of each fiscal period. Calculation for fiscal 1996
    includes the Circle Centre Mall store which is 20,191 square feet in size.
    Without inclusion of this store, which is significantly larger than any
    other store, average square feet per store would be 3,882.
(6) Calculated using only those stores that were open for the full current
    fiscal period and were also open for the full prior fiscal period.
(7) The increase in comparable store net sales is based on the actual number
    of days (generally 365 days) in each year. 1996 and 1992 were leap years
    with 366 days. If 365 days of sales were used for 1996, the increase in
    comparable store net sales would have been 3.1%. If 365 days of sales were
    used for 1992, the increase in comparable store net sales would have been
    8.9% and 4.6% for fiscal 1993 and 1992, respectively.
   
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS     
   
  On June 5, 1996, the Company announced net sales results for the first
fiscal quarter ended May 31, 1996. The Company reported net sales of $71.7
million for the first quarter of fiscal 1997, an increase of 37% over net
sales of $52.2 million for the same quarter of the prior year. The Company's
comparable store net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 1997 increased 13%
versus a 7% increase for the same quarter of the prior year. Comparable
footwear net sales increased approximately 14% for the first quarter of fiscal
1997 versus a 3% increase for the same quarter of fiscal 1996. During the
first quarter of fiscal 1997, comparable store activewear/accessories net
sales increased approximately 9% versus an 18% increase for the same quarter
of fiscal 1996.     
   
  The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience,
significant variability in net sales and comparable store net sales from
quarter to quarter. Therefore, the results of the periods presented in the
prior paragraph are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected
for any other period or the full fiscal year.     
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
information set forth under "Selected Financial Data" and the Financial
Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The Company's net sales grew from $98.4 million in fiscal 1992 to $240.2
million in fiscal 1996 as a result of the Company's store expansion program
and increased sales from existing stores. During that period, the number of
stores increased from 104 to 220, total square feet increased from 340,362 to
870,340 and sales per square foot ranged from $307 in fiscal 1992, to a high
of $324 in fiscal 1993 and was $308 in fiscal 1996. The Company believes the
growth in sales per square foot through fiscal 1993 was attributable to
several factors including improvements in the Company's management and control
systems, increased availability and demand for higher priced athletic
footwear, and greater emphasis on opening stores in higher traffic mall
locations, which resulted in greater sales from less square footage.
 
  The decrease in sales per square foot in fiscal 1994 was a result of a
decrease in the average selling price of footwear, a more competitive and
promotional retail environment and a 2.9% increase in the average square feet
per store from 3,352 in fiscal 1993 to 3,449 in fiscal 1994. The decrease in
the average selling price of footwear in fiscal 1994 was in part a reflection
of an apparent trend in the fashion portion of the business toward a non-
athletic look and by a more competitive and promotional retail environment.
These factors also negatively affected the Company's gross margin in fiscal
1994. The continued decrease in sales per square foot in fiscal 1995 was a
result of the continued competitive and promotional retail environment along
with a 5.6% increase in the average square feet per store from 3,449 in fiscal
1994 to 3,641 in fiscal 1995. The increase in sales per square foot in fiscal
1996 was a result of the 3.4% increase in comparable store net sales along
with improved performance from the 30 existing stores open only part of fiscal
1995.
 
  The Company's comparable store net sales growth was 5.2%, 8.3%, (2.3)%, 1.7%
and 3.4% in fiscal 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively. The
comparable store net sales increase of 3.4% in fiscal 1996 consisted of an
increase of 1.0% in footwear and 8.9% in activewear/accessories. On a
quarterly basis, comparable store sales increases (decreases) for fiscal 1996
were 6.8%, (0.6)%, 0.6% and 7.0% for the first, second, third and fourth
quarters, respectively.
 
  The table below sets forth operating data of the Company as a percentage of
net sales for the periods indicated below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEAR ENDED
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                              1994         1995         1996
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
   <S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
   INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
     Net sales..........................     100.0%       100.0%       100.0%
     Cost of sales (including occupancy
      expenses).........................      68.5         69.3         70.3
                                             -----        -----        -----
     Gross profit.......................      31.5         30.7         29.7
     Selling, general and administrative
      expenses..........................      23.4         23.2         22.6
                                             -----        -----        -----
     Operating income...................       8.1          7.5          7.1
     Interest expense...................       0.1          0.2          0.4
                                             -----        -----        -----
     Income before income taxes.........       8.0          7.3          6.7
     Provision for income taxes.........       3.2          2.9          2.7
                                             -----        -----        -----
     Net income.........................       4.8%         4.4%         4.0%
                                             =====        =====        =====
</TABLE>
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995
 
  Net sales for fiscal 1996 were $240.2 million, an increase of $48.6 million
or 25.3% over fiscal 1995. Of this increase, $29.0 million was attributable to
a 15.8% increase in the number of stores open during the period from 190 at
the end of fiscal 1995 to 220 at the end of fiscal 1996 and a corresponding
25.8% increase in total square footage. The balance of the increase in net
sales was attributable to (i) an increase of $14.7 million from the 30
existing stores open only part of fiscal 1995, (ii) an increase of $7.0
million in net sales from existing stores open the entire twelve months of
fiscal 1996 and 1995 and (iii) less $2.1 million in net sales for stores
closed in fiscal 1996 but open for the entire twelve months of fiscal 1995.
During fiscal 1996, comparable store net sales increased 3.4% compared to
fiscal 1995. Comparable net footwear sales increased 1.0% for fiscal 1996 and
comparable net activewear and accessories sales increased 8.9%. Net sales per
square foot increased in fiscal 1996 to $308 from $300 in fiscal 1995. The
average selling price of footwear increased approximately 1.3% in fiscal 1996.
 
  Gross profit, which is product margin less store occupancy costs, for fiscal
1996 was $71.2 million, an increase of $12.3 million, or 21.0%, over fiscal
1995. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 29.7% in fiscal
1996 from 30.7% in fiscal 1995. Of the 1.0% decrease, 0.6% was due to lower
margins for products sold, 0.2% was due to an increase in the Company's
reserve for inventory shrink and the remaining 0.2% decrease was due to an
increase in occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales. The 0.6% decrease in
product margin was primarily due to a competitive and promotional retail
environment, particularly in the year-end holiday selling season.
 
  Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 1996 were $54.3
million, an increase of $9.7 million or 21.8% over fiscal 1995, and decreased
to 22.6% from 23.2% as a percentage of net sales. The dollar increase was
primarily attributable to the operating costs related to the 35 additional
stores opened during fiscal 1996. The decrease as a percentage of sales is
primarily a result of the comparable store net sales increase of 3.4% for
fiscal 1996 along with improved expense controls as well as the application of
certain administrative and other overhead costs over an increased net sales
base.
 
  Net interest expense for fiscal 1996 was $892,000, an increase of $575,000
or 181.4%. This increase resulted from a higher average balance outstanding on
the Company's Facility Agreement due to an increase in the number of stores in
operation, the funding of new store expansion and related inventory
requirements, and an increase in the merchandise inventories on a per square
foot basis. Partially offsetting the increase in interest expense was a
decrease in the Company's average interest rate on outstanding borrowings.
 
  Income tax expense was $6.4 million for fiscal 1996 compared to $5.6 million
for fiscal 1995. The increase in the Company's provision for federal and state
taxes in fiscal 1996 is due to the increased level of income before income
taxes as the effective tax rate was 40% for each of the comparable periods.
 
  Net income per share increased 14.6% to $0.94 for fiscal 1996 compared to
$0.82 for fiscal 1995. Weighted average shares outstanding were 10,315,000
during both fiscal 1996 and 1995.
 
FISCAL 1995 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1994
   
  Net sales for fiscal 1995 were $191.6 million, an increase of $34.6 million
or 22.0% over fiscal 1994. Of this increase, $19.8 million was attributable to
a 15.9% increase in the number of stores open during the period from 164 at
the end of fiscal 1994 to 190 at the end of fiscal 1995 and a corresponding
22.3% increase in total square footage. The balance of the increase in net
sales was attributable to (i) an increase of $14.4 million from the 33
existing stores open only part of fiscal 1994, (ii) an increase of $2.1
million in net sales from existing stores open the entire twelve months of
fiscal 1995 and 1994 and (iii) less $1.7 million in net sales for stores
closed in fiscal 1995 but open for the entire twelve months of fiscal 1994.
During fiscal 1995, comparable store net sales increased 1.7% compared to
fiscal 1994. Comparable net footwear sales for fiscal 1995 increased 3.9%.
Partially offsetting the increase in footwear sales was a 3.4% decrease in
comparable net activewear and     
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
   
accessories sales for the comparable period. Net sales per square foot
decreased in fiscal 1995 to $300 from $316 during fiscal 1994, primarily as a
result of opening larger stores. The average selling price of footwear
increased approximately 1.5% in fiscal 1995.     
 
  Gross profit, which includes product margin less store occupancy costs, for
fiscal 1995 was $58.9 million, an increase of $9.4 million or 18.9% over
fiscal 1994. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 30.7% in
fiscal 1995 from 31.5% in fiscal 1994. Of this 0.8% decrease, 0.7% was due to
an increase in occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales with the remaining
0.1% decrease due to lower margins for products sold. The Company's fiscal
1995 operating results were adversely affected, particularly through the first
six months, by an apparent trend in the fashion portion of the business toward
a non-athletic look and a more competitive and promotional retail environment
which resulted in lower margins. The 0.7% increase in occupancy costs resulted
primarily from (i) a 5.6% increase in the average store size from 3,449 in
fiscal 1994 to 3,641 in fiscal 1995, and (ii) a continued increase in other
mall charges (i.e., common area maintenance, real estate taxes, and insurance)
on a per square foot basis versus fiscal 1994.
 
  Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 1995 were $44.5
million, an increase of $7.9 million or 21.5% over fiscal 1994, and decreased
to 23.2% from 23.4% as a percentage of net sales. This dollar increase was
primarily attributable to the operating costs related to the 30 additional
stores opened during fiscal 1995. The decrease as a percentage of sales is
primarily a result of the comparable store net sales increase of 1.7% for
fiscal 1995 along with improved expense controls as well as the application of
certain administrative and other overhead costs over an increased net sales
base.
 
  Net interest expense for fiscal 1995 was $317,000, an increase of $133,000
or 72.3%. This increase resulted from a higher average balance outstanding on
the Company's Facility Agreement due to an increase in the number of stores
and an expansion of the Company's distribution center, as well as higher
average interest rates for fiscal 1995.
 
  Income tax expense was $5.6 million for fiscal 1995 compared to $5.1 million
for fiscal 1994. The increase in the Company's provision for federal and state
taxes in fiscal 1995 is due to the increased level of income before income
taxes as the effective tax rate was 40% for each of the comparable periods.
 
  Net income per share increased 10.8% to $0.82 for fiscal 1995 compared to
$0.74 for fiscal 1994. Weighted average shares outstanding were 10,315,000
during both fiscal 1995 and 1994.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
QUARTERLY COMPARISONS
 
  The Company's merchandise is marketed during all seasons, with the highest
volume of merchandise sold during the second and fourth fiscal quarters as a
result of back-to-school and year-end holiday shopping. The third fiscal
quarter has traditionally had the lowest volume of merchandise sold and the
lowest results of operations.
 
  The table below sets forth quarterly operating data of the Company,
including such data as a percentage of net sales, for fiscal 1996 and fiscal
1995. This quarterly information is unaudited but, in management's opinion,
reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods
presented.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               QUARTER ENDED
                          ----------------------------------------------------------
                             MAY 31,      AUGUST 31,    NOVEMBER 30,   FEBRUARY 29,
                              1995           1995           1995           1996
                          -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                       <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
Net sales...............  $52,219 100.0% $64,584 100.0% $52,729 100.0% $70,623 100.0%
Cost of sales (including
 occupancy expenses)....   36,341  69.6   44,895  69.5   37,770  71.6   49,906  70.7
                          ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----
Gross profit............   15,878  30.4   19,689  30.5   14,959  28.4   20,717  29.3
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses...............   12,358  23.7   14,015  21.7   13,356  25.3   14,525  20.5
                          ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----
Operating income........    3,520   6.7    5,674   8.8    1,603   3.1    6,192   8.8
Interest expense........      130   0.2      229   0.3      305   0.6      228   0.3
                          ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----
Income before income
 taxes..................    3,390   6.5    5,445   8.5    1,298   2.5    5,964   8.5
Provision for income
 taxes..................    1,356   2.6    2,178   3.4      519   1.0    2,386   3.4
                          ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----
Net income..............  $ 2,034   3.9% $ 3,267   5.1% $   779   1.5% $ 3,578   5.1%
                          ======= =====  ======= =====  ======= =====  ======= =====
Net income per share....  $  0.20        $  0.32        $  0.08        $  0.35
                          =======        =======        =======        =======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                               QUARTER ENDED
                          ----------------------------------------------------------
                             MAY 31,      AUGUST 31,    NOVEMBER 30,   FEBRUARY 28,
                              1994           1994           1994           1995
                          -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                       <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
Net sales...............  $42,174 100.0% $55,843 100.0% $41,198 100.0% $52,408 100.0%
Cost of sales (including
 occupancy expenses)....   29,447  69.8   38,280  68.5   28,945  70.3   36,054  68.8
                          ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----
Gross profit............   12,727  30.2   17,563  31.5   12,253  29.7   16,354  31.2
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses...............    9,965  23.6   12,152  21.8   10,839  26.3   11,592  22.1
                          ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----
Operating income........    2,762   6.6    5,411   9.7    1,414   3.4    4,762   9.1
Interest expense........       47   0.1      111   0.2      107   0.2       52   0.1
                          ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----
Income before income
 taxes..................    2,715   6.5    5,300   9.5    1,307   3.2    4,710   9.0
Provision for income
 taxes..................    1,086   2.6    2,119   3.8      523   1.3    1,890   3.6
                          ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----  ------- -----
Net income..............  $ 1,629   3.9% $ 3,181   5.7% $   784   1.9% $ 2,820   5.4%
                          ======= =====  ======= =====  ======= =====  ======= =====
Net income per share....  $  0.16        $  0.31        $  0.08        $  0.27
                          =======        =======        =======        =======
</TABLE>    
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  The Company finances the opening of new stores and the resulting increase in
inventory requirements principally from operating cash flow and borrowings
under the Facility Agreement. Net cash provided by operations was $9.6
million, $3.9 million and $6.2 million for fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. At February 29, 1996, cash and cash equivalents were $1.7
million.
 
  Merchandise inventories were $76.1 million at February 29, 1996 compared to
$55.5 million at February 28, 1995. On a per square foot basis, merchandise
inventories increased 9.0% compared to February 28, 1995. The increase is
primarily attributable to the early receipt of March footwear deliveries in
February 1996.
 
  The Facility Agreement allows the Company to borrow up to the amount of
$25.0 million and expires on September 1, 1997. The Company, at its election,
can increase the credit available to $30.0 million. The Company periodically
reviews its ongoing credit needs with its commercial bank and expects to renew
the Facility Agreement prior to its expiration for an additional period beyond
the current maturity date of September 1997. The interest rate on the Facility
Agreement is, at the Company's election, either the bank's Federal Fund Rate
plus 0.975%, the bank's CD Rate plus 0.875%, the bank's LIBOR Rate plus 0.875%
or the bank's prime commercial lending rate. The margin percentage added to
the Federal Fund Rate, CD Rate and LIBOR Rate is subject to adjustment
quarterly based on the fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined). The effective
borrowing rate at February 29, 1996 was approximately 6.4% per annum. At
February 29, 1996, $9.5 million was outstanding under the Facility Agreement.
 
  The Facility Agreement contains restrictive covenants that limit, among
other things, the Company's ability to declare or pay dividends, incur or
guarantee debt, redeem shares of its capital stock, be a party to a merger,
acquire or dispose of assets or engage in any other transactions outside the
ordinary course of business. In addition, the Company must maintain a fixed
charge coverage ratio (as defined) of not less than 1.5 to 1.0, a tangible net
worth of not less than $42.5 million and funded debt to total capitalization
(as defined) may not exceed 40%. The Company is in compliance with all such
covenants.
 
  Capital expenditures were $10.0 million and $10.2 million for fiscal 1995
and fiscal 1996, respectively. Expenditures in fiscal 1996 were primarily for
the build out of 32 of the 35 stores that were opened during fiscal 1996
(including one large format store), the remodeling of 7 existing stores, the
build out of the first three stores that were opened in fiscal 1997 and the
addition of 40,000 square feet of floor space in the existing warehouse
through the addition of a mezzanine level. Expenditures in fiscal 1995 were
primarily for the build out of 24 of the 30 stores that were opened during
fiscal 1995, the remodeling of 10 existing stores, the build out of the first
three stores that were opened in fiscal 1996 and the addition of 64,000 square
feet of warehouse space along with additional conveyor and material handling
equipment.
 
  The Company anticipates that total capital expenditures for fiscal 1997 will
be approximately $11.0 million, primarily for the opening of 30 to 35 new
stores (including two to three large format stores), the remodeling of seven
to ten existing stores and the commencement of a 128,000 square foot addition
to the existing distribution center.
 
  The Company estimates that its cash requirement to open a new non-large
format store will range from $350,000 to $400,000 (net of construction
allowance) and from $1.4 million to $1.9 million for a new large format store
(net of construction allowance). These requirements for a traditional store
include approximately $175,000 for fixtures, equipment, leasehold improvements
and pre-opening expenses and $325,000 ($200,000 net of payables) in new store
inventory. The cash requirements for a large format store include
approximately $500,000 to $1.0 million for fixtures, equipment, leasehold
improvements and pre-opening expenses and $1.5 million ($900,000 net of
payables) in new store inventory.
 
  Management believes that operating cash flow and borrowings under the
Company's existing Facility Agreement will be sufficient to complete the
Company's fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998 store expansion program and to satisfy
the Company's other capital requirements through fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
  Finish Line is one of the largest specialty retailers of brand name
athletic, outdoor and lifestyle footwear, activewear and accessories in the
United States. As of May 1, 1996, the Company operated 229 stores in 25
states, primarily in enclosed malls. A Finish Line store generally carries the
largest selection of men's, women's and children's athletic and casual shoes
in the mall in which it is located, as well as a broad assortment of
activewear and accessories all at competitive prices. Brand names offered by
the Company include Nike, Fila, adidas, Reebok, Starter, Champion, Asics,
Airwalk, Logo Athletic, Timberland and Converse.
 
  The Company distinguishes itself from other athletic footwear specialty
retailers through its relatively large, mall-based store format. Finish Line's
stores average approximately 4,000 square feet, and its stores opened during
the most recent fiscal year average approximately 4,800 square feet. The
Company strives to create an exciting and entertaining retail environment by
continually updating its unique and highly functional store designs, while its
larger store size permits greater product depth and merchandising flexibility.
Since activewear and accessories represent higher gross margin opportunities,
Finish Line devotes a greater percentage of its sales area to such products
than typical athletic footwear specialty stores. Activewear and accessories
accounted for approximately 33% of the Company's sales in fiscal 1996.
 
OPERATING STRATEGIES
 
 . EMPHASIS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CONVENIENCE. The Company is committed to
  making shopping for athletic footwear and activewear an enjoyable experience
  for its customers by providing convenient mall-based store locations with
  highly functional store designs, offering competitive prices on brand name
  products, maintaining optimal in-stock levels of merchandise and employing
  knowledgeable and courteous sales associates.
 
 . INVENTORY MANAGEMENT. The Company's advanced information and distribution
  systems enable it to track inventory in each store by SKU on a daily basis,
  giving the Company the flexibility to merchandise its products effectively.
  In addition, these systems allow the Company to respond promptly to changing
  customer preferences and to maintain optimal inventory levels. The Company's
  inventory management system features automatic replenishment driven by
  point-of-sale data capture and a highly automated distribution center, which
  enables the Company to ship merchandise to each store every third day.
 
 . PRODUCT DIVERSITY; BROAD DEMOGRAPHIC APPEAL. The Company stocks its stores
  with a combination of the newest high profile and brand name merchandise,
  unique products manufactured exclusively for the Company, as well as
  promotional and opportunistic purchases of other brand-name merchandise.
  Product diversity, in combination with the Company's store formats and
  commitment to customer service, is intended to attract a broad demographic
  cross-section of customers.
 
EXPANSION STRATEGIES
 
 . NEW STORE OPENINGS. Since its initial public offering in June 1992, Finish
  Line has expanded rapidly from 104 stores to 229 stores on May 1, 1996. The
  Company expects to open 30 to 35 new stores in fiscal 1997 and 35 to 45 new
  stores in fiscal 1998, which will represent increases of approximately 15%
  in each such year. As a result of the Company's strategy of opening larger
  stores, including selected large format stores, the Company expects its
  total square footage to increase at an annual rate of approximately 23% and
  25% in fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998, respectively.
 
 . LARGER STORES. Over the past four years, the Company has adopted a strategy
  of opening larger stores. This strategy allows for greater product depth and
  merchandising flexibility, which the Company believes improves its ability
  to compete against both mall-based and non-mall-based athletic retailers,
  and will result in Finish
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
 Line's average square footage per store increasing at a faster rate than its
 store count. The traditional stores which the Company currently has firm
 commitments to open in fiscal 1997 average approximately 5,200 square feet.
 In addition, the Company opened a 20,000 square foot store in the Circle
 Centre Mall in Indianapolis in fiscal 1996. This large format store is an
 upscale athletic specialty store designed and merchandised into seven
 distinct departments to satisfy the needs of the entire family. The initial
 performance of this store has been encouraging, and two additional large
 format stores are planned to open in fiscal 1997 in Buffalo and Denver.
 Subject to the results of these stores, the Company anticipates opening three
 to five additional large format stores in fiscal 1998.
 
 . COMMITMENT TO CONTINUALLY STRENGTHEN INFRASTRUCTURE. Over the past eighteen
  months, Finish Line has made a number of strategic infrastructure
  investments, including enhancements to its management, store formats, and
  distribution and information systems. Significant management additions and
  organizational changes include recruiting additional senior management
  professionals with significant industry experience and centralizing
  supervision of the Company's footwear and activewear/accessories departments
  to improve communication and coordination between the departments. In
  addition, staffs in both departments were increased to allow each buyer or
  merchandiser to focus more time and attention on their respective product
  categories. The Company has also invested in its management information
  systems and distribution center by implementing EDI and radio frequency
  technology and plans to commence building a 128,000 square foot addition to
  the distribution center in fiscal 1997. Management believes these
  infrastructure investments will improve efficiency of the Company's
  inventory management and increase its in-stock position thereby facilitating
  its continued growth.
 
  The Company believes that its operating and expansion strategies have
contributed to its record of increasing net sales in each year since its
founding. Over the past five years, net sales have increased at a 25% compound
annual growth rate, and in fiscal 1996, net sales increased to $240.2 million,
a 25% improvement over the prior year period. The increase in fiscal 1996
included a 3.4% comparable store net sales gain resulting in an increase in
net sales per square foot to $308. This comparable store net sales growth,
together with improved expense controls and the leveraging of net sales
increases over its established infrastructure, have resulted in increased
profits in recent years. Net income increased to $9.7 million in fiscal 1996,
a 15% improvement over the prior year period.
 
MERCHANDISE
 
  The following table sets forth the percentage of net sales attributable to
the categories of footwear, activewear and related accessories during fiscal
1994, 1995 and 1996. These percentages fluctuate substantially during the
different consumer buying seasons. To take advantage of this seasonality, the
Company's stores are designed to allow a shift in emphasis in the merchandise
mix between footwear and activewear/accessory items.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEAR ENDED
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                              1994         1995         1996
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
      <S>                                 <C>          <C>          <C>
      Footwear..........................       69%          69%          67%
      Activewear/Accessories............       31           31           33
                                              ---          ---          ---
          Total.........................      100%         100%         100%
                                              ===          ===          ===
</TABLE>
 
  Merchandising decisions, including merchandise mix, pricing, promotions and
markdowns, are made at the corporate headquarters. The store manager and
district manager, along with management at the Company's headquarters, review
the merchandise mix to adapt to permanent or temporary changes or sales
trends.
 
 Footwear
 
  The Company carries footwear from Nike, Fila, adidas, Reebok, Asics,
Timberland, Airwalk, Converse and many others. Major categories of footwear
include basketball, cross-training, running, aerobic, tennis, cleated, golf,
outdoor, casual and lifestyle. Most of the categories are available in men's,
women's and children's styles.
 
 Activewear/Accessories
 
  The activewear and accessories offered by the Company include products from
many of the same companies that supply the Company's footwear such as Nike,
Fila, adidas and Reebok. Additional suppliers include Starter,
 
                                      18

<PAGE>
 
Champion, Logo Athletic, and lifestyle lines such as No Fear along with
outdoor apparel from Columbia and Timberland. Categories of activewear consist
of jackets, caps, running wear, warm-ups, fleece, fitness wear and
leisurewear. Many of these categories include licensed products bearing the
logos of college and professional teams. Among the accessories offered by the
Company are socks, athletic bags and shoe-care products. The Company's vendors
offer footwear, apparel and accessories in "collections" of similar design and
for specific purposes.
 
MARKETING
 
  The Company attempts to price its merchandise competitively with athletic
specialty and sporting goods stores in the trade area of each Company store.
While the majority of merchandise is sold at the Company's regular retail
prices, the Company conducts promotions which generally revolve around themes
such as back-to-school, holiday seasons and vendor weeks. In addition, the
Company frequently promotes individual items.
 
  The Company advertises through many different media, including television,
radio, newspaper and outdoor advertising. The Company also contributes to mall
merchant association funds which will advertise both the mall and individual
stores within the mall. In-store promotions with point-of-purchase materials
are also an important part of the Company's marketing strategy.
 
  The Company also takes advantage of advertising and promotional assistance
from many of its suppliers. This assistance takes the form of cooperative
advertising programs, in-store sales incentives, point-of-purchase materials,
product training for employees and other programs. Total advertising expense
for fiscal 1995 and 1996 was 1.6% and 1.5% of net sales, respectively, after
deducting co-op reimbursements. The Company believes that it benefits
significantly from the advertising campaigns of its key suppliers, such as
Nike, Fila, adidas, Reebok and Starter.
 
PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Company's product purchasing is coordinated through a centralized
merchandising department under the direction of a Vice President--General
Merchandise Manager. The merchandise department is currently comprised of 21
persons, including a Divisional Merchandise Manager and four buyers and
associates in the footwear area and five buyers and associates in the
activewear/accessories area. These buyers are supported by a planning and
distribution group comprised of ten professionals, including financial
planners and systems personnel.
 
  The Company believes that its ability to buy in large quantities directly
from suppliers enables it to obtain favorable pricing and trade terms. The
Company works with approximately 130 suppliers, the largest of which (Nike)
accounted for approximately 40% and 50% of the Company's purchases in fiscal
1995 and fiscal 1996, respectively. The Company purchased approximately 70%
and 80% of its merchandise in fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1996, respectively, from
its five largest suppliers. The Company and its vendors have the capability to
use EDI technology. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Major Suppliers; Product
Availability."
 
  The Company's corporate headquarters and distribution center are located on
33 acres in Indianapolis, Indiana. The facility was designed to the Company's
requirements and specifications and is owned by the Company. It includes
automated conveyor and storage rack systems designed to reduce labor costs,
increase efficiency in processing merchandise and enhance space productivity.
This facility includes 24,000 square feet of office space and 128,000 square
feet of warehouse space. During fiscal 1996, the Company added 40,000 square
feet of floor space in the existing warehouse through the addition of a
mezzanine level at a cost of approximately $1.5 million, and it plans during
fiscal 1997 to commence an addition to its existing distribution center of an
additional 128,000 square feet of warehouse space. The Company believes it has
the ability to significantly expand the facility, as needed, on its existing
33 acres.
 
  In fiscal 1996, the Company implemented new management computer software for
distribution center processing that features "radio frequency" technology.
Management believes that this new software should improve accuracy and allow
for real-time tracking of inventory within the distribution center.
 
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
  Nearly all of the Company's merchandise is shipped directly from suppliers
to the distribution center, where the Company processes and ships it by
contract and common carriers to its stores. Each day shipments are made to
one-third of the Company's stores. In any three-week period, each Company
store will receive five shipments. A shipment is received one to three days
from the date that the order is filled depending on the store's distance from
the distribution center. The Company maintains approximately one month's
supply of merchandise at the distribution center.
 
  The Company believes that the distribution center, including planned future
expansion, will enable it to continue to service its stores, including
additional stores, for the foreseeable future.
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 
  The Company has a computerized management information system that includes a
network of computers at corporate headquarters used by management to support
decision making along with PC based point-of-sale (POS) computers at the
stores. The store computers are connected via modem to the corporate
headquarters computers. The system also features a perpetual inventory system
which permits corporate management to review daily each store's inventory by
department, class and stockkeeping unit (SKU), as well as current sales data.
This system includes an automated replenishment system that allows the Company
to replace faster-selling items on a more timely basis. Other functions in the
system include accounting, distribution, inventory tracking and control. In
fiscal 1996, the Company completed the replacement of all existing store
registers with PC based POS systems which provide increased productivity at
the store level along with additional controls and efficiencies at the
Company's headquarters.
 
  Also during fiscal 1996, the Company upgraded its computer system at the
corporate headquarters which the Company believes will adequately serve its
needs for the foreseeable future.
 
STORE OPERATIONS
 
  The Company operated 229 stores as of May 1, 1996, which are primarily
located in enclosed shopping malls. The Company's typical store format has a
sales floor, which includes a try-on area and a display area where each style
of footwear carried in the store is displayed by category (basketball, tennis,
running, etc.), and an adjacent stock room where the footwear inventory is
kept. The Company's stores range in size from 1,200 to 10,750 square feet plus
the 20,000 square foot "large format" store. The sales floor represents
approximately 65% to 75% of the total store space. In addition to its typical
store format, the Company operates approximately 30 stores utilizing a "rack
store" format, where footwear inventory is kept on the sales floor.
 
  In order to keep its stores fresh and exciting, the Company has developed a
strategy of consolidating older merchandise in one or more stores in each
district for additional or final markdown. These stores are generally located
in strip shopping centers or mixed use outlet centers because these locations
typically have lower occupancy costs and investments in leasehold
improvements, allowing the Company to sell merchandise at lower prices.
 
  Substantially all merchandise decisions with respect to prices, markdowns
and advertising are controlled by management at the corporate headquarters.
The Company has a national sales manager and regional and district managers
who visit each of the Company's stores on a regular basis to review the
implementation of Company policy, monitor operations and review inventories
and the presentation of merchandise. Accounting and general financial
functions for the Company's stores are conducted at corporate headquarters.
Each of the Company's stores has a store manager responsible for supervision
and overall operations, one or more assistant managers and additional full-
and part-time sales associates. Management believes that the Company's store
format and customer service help to reduce inventory shrinkage, which was
approximately 1.25% of net sales in fiscal 1996.
 
  The national, regional, district and store managers receive a fixed salary
and are eligible for bonuses, based primarily on sales, payroll and shrinkage
performance goals of the stores for which they are responsible. All assistant
store managers and sales associates are paid on an hourly basis.
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
STORE LOCATIONS
 
  The Company operated 229 stores in 25 states as of May 1, 1996. The
following table sets forth information concerning the Company's stores.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 TOTAL NUMBER                      TOTAL NUMBER
      STATE                       OF STORES   STATE                 OF STORES
      -----                      ------------ -----                ------------
      <S>                        <C>          <C>                  <C>
      Arkansas..................       2      Nebraska............       4
      Florida...................       7      New York............       6
      Georgia...................      10      North Carolina......      13
      Illinois..................      17      Ohio................      39
      Indiana...................      23      Oklahoma............       6
      Iowa......................       4      Pennsylvania........      17
      Kansas....................       6      South Carolina......       1
      Kentucky..................       6      Tennessee...........       6
      Louisiana.................       5      Texas...............      23
      Maryland..................       4      Virginia............       8
      Michigan..................       8      West Virginia.......       5
      Mississippi...............       1      Wisconsin...........       6
      Missouri..................       2
</TABLE>
 
  The Company considers its ability to obtain attractive, high traffic store
locations such as enclosed malls to be a critical element of its business and
a key factor in the Company's future growth and profitability. The Company
believes that the number of desirable store sites likely to be available in
the future will permit the Company to continue its expansion strategy. In
determining new store locations, the Company evaluates market areas, mall
locations, "anchor" stores, consumer traffic, mall sales per square foot,
competition and occupancy, construction and other costs associated with
opening a store.
 
  The Company leases all of its stores. Initial lease terms of the Company's
stores generally range from five to ten years in duration without renewal
options, although some of the stores are subject to leases for five years with
one or more renewal options. The leases generally provide for a fixed minimum
rental plus a percentage of sales in excess of a specified amount.
 
COMPETITION
 
  The business in which the Company is engaged is highly competitive and many
of the items sold by the Company are sold by department stores, national and
regional full line sporting goods stores, athletic footwear specialty stores,
athletic footwear superstores, discount stores, traditional shoe stores and
mass merchandisers. Many of the stores with which the Company competes are
units of large national and regional chains that have substantially greater
financial and other resources than the Company. Among these stores are stores
that are owned by major suppliers of the Company. To a lesser extent, the
Company competes with mail order and local sporting goods and athletic
specialty stores. In many cases, the Company's stores are located in shopping
centers or malls in which one or more of its competitors also has a store. The
leases that the Company enters into generally do not restrict the opening of
stores by the Company's competitors in the same mall carrying merchandise
similar to that of the Company.
 
  The Company has been able to compete favorably with these competitors by
operating attractive, well-stocked stores in high retail traffic areas, with
competitive prices and knowledgeable and courteous customer service. The
Company attempts to keep its prices competitive with athletic specialty and
sporting goods stores in the trade area of a particular Company store,
including competitors that are not necessarily located in high traffic
enclosed malls like the Company's stores. The Company seeks to achieve this
objective by effectively mixing high profile and brand name merchandise with
promotional and opportunistic purchases of other brand name merchandise and by
controlling expenses, especially administrative and overhead expenses, with
small, efficient departments throughout its organization.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
  The executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 EXECUTIVE OFFICER
NAME                     AGE                      POSITION                       OR DIRECTOR SINCE
- ----                     ---                      --------                       -----------------
<S>                      <C> <C>                                                 <C>
Alan H. Cohen...........  49 Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and
                              Chief Executive Officer                                  1976
David I. Klapper........  47 Executive Vice President, Director                        1976
David M. Fagin..........  52 Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director          1982
Larry J. Sablosky.......  47 Executive Vice President, Director                        1982
Joseph W. Wood..........  48 Vice President--General Merchandise Manager               1995
Steven J. Schneider.....  40 Vice President--Finance and Chief Financial Officer       1989
Donald E. Courtney......  41 Vice President--MIS and Distribution                      1989
George S. Sanders.......  38 Vice President--Real Estate and Construction              1994
Michael L. Marchetti....  46 Vice President--Operations                                1995
Jonathan K. Layne.......  42 Director                                                  1992
Jeffrey H. Smulyan......  48 Director                                                  1992
</TABLE>
 
  Mr. Alan H. Cohen, a co-founder of the Company, has served as President and
Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company since May 1982. Since
1976, Mr. Cohen has been involved in the athletic retail business as principal
co-founder of Athletic Enterprises, Inc. (one of the predecessor companies of
the Company). Mr. Cohen is an attorney, and practiced law from 1973 through
1981.
 
  Mr. David I. Klapper, a co-founder of the Company, has served as Executive
Vice President and a director of the Company since May 1982. Since 1976, Mr.
Klapper has been involved in the athletic retail business as principal co-
founder of Athletic Enterprises, Inc. (one of the predecessor companies of the
Company).
 
  Mr. David M. Fagin, a co-founder of the Company, has served as Executive
Vice President, Secretary and a director of the Company since May 1982. Prior
to 1982, Mr. Fagin was self-employed as a manufacturer representative for
sporting goods companies. Mr. Fagin has been involved in the athletic retail
industry for over 25 years.
 
  Mr. Larry J. Sablosky, a co-founder of the Company, has served as Executive
Vice President and a director of the Company since May 1982. Prior to 1982,
Mr. Sablosky was employed in a family retail business for over 10 years. Mr.
Sablosky has been involved in the retail industry for over 20 years.
 
  Mr. Joseph W. Wood has served as Vice President--General Merchandise Manager
of the Company since January 1995. From May 1993 to December 1994, Mr. Wood
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Just For
Feet, a superstore athletic footwear retailer. From October 1986 to May 1993,
Mr. Wood served as Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of
the Athlete's Foot Group, a mall based athletic footwear retailer.
 
  Mr. Steven J. Schneider has served as Vice President--Finance and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company since April 1989. From August 1984 to March
1989, Mr. Schneider was employed as Assistant Controller for Paul Harris
Stores, Inc., a women's apparel retailer. Mr. Schneider, a Certified Public
Accountant, was employed by a national accounting firm for two years and has
been engaged in various financial positions in the retail industry for 15
years.
 
  Mr. Donald E. Courtney has served as Vice President--MIS and Distribution of
the Company since August 1989. From August 1988 to August 1989, Mr. Courtney
served as Director of MIS and Distribution for the Company. From August 1976
to August 1988, Mr. Courtney was employed by Guarantee Auto Stores, Inc., an
automotive retailer. At the time Mr. Courtney left Guarantee Auto Stores, he
held the position of VicePresident--MIS and Distribution. Mr. Courtney has
been involved in the retail industry for 18 years.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
  Mr. George S. Sanders has served as Vice President--Real Estate and Store
Construction since April 1994. From February 1993 to April 1994, Mr. Sanders
served as Director of Real Estate of the Company. From 1983 to February 1993,
Mr. Sanders was employed by Melvin Simon and Associates, a real estate
developer and manager. At the time Mr. Sanders left Melvin Simon and
Associates, he held the position of Senior Leasing Representative.
 
  Mr. Michael L. Marchetti has served as Vice President--Store Operations
since September 1995. From May 1990 to September 1995, Mr. Marchetti was
employed by Champs Sports, a division of Woolworth Corporation, the last five
years of which he served as Regional Vice President. Mr. Marchetti has been
involved in the retail industry for over 25 years.
 
  Mr. Jonathan K. Layne has served as a director of the Company since June
1992. Mr. Layne has been a partner of the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
LLP since 1987, where he specializes in corporate and securities law matters.
Mr. Layne was an associate with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP from 1979 to 1986.
Mr. Layne is also a member of the Boards of Directors of Amwest Insurance
Group, Inc., an insurance holding company, K-Swiss Inc., a manufacturer of
athletic footwear and Maxwell Shoe Company, Inc., a manufacturer of women's
casual and dress footwear.
 
  Mr. Jeffrey H. Smulyan has served as a director of the Company since June
1992. Mr. Smulyan has served since 1986 as Chairman of the Board and President
of Emmis Broadcasting Corporation, an owner and operator of radio stations.
Mr. Smulyan served as Chairman of the Seattle Mariners professional baseball
team from 1989 until 1992 and was the principal owner of Seattle Baseball,
L.P., which owned the Mariners prior to their sale in July 1992.
 
  Each director holds office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or
until his successor has been elected and qualified. Officers are appointed by
and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family
relationships among any directors or executive officers of the Company.
 
  The Board of Directors has two committees. The Audit Committee is comprised
of Messrs. Cohen, Layne, and Smulyan. The Compensation and Stock Option
Committee is comprised of Messrs. Smulyan and Layne.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following Summary Compensation Table shows compensation paid by the
Company for services rendered during fiscal years 1996, 1995, and 1994 for the
Chief Executive Officer at the end of the last fiscal year and the five most
highly compensated executive officers of the Company whose salary and bonus
exceeded $100,000 in fiscal year 1996.
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                        AWARDS         PAYOUTS
                                  ANNUAL         --------------------- -------
                               COMPENSATION      RESTRICTED SECURITIES
                              ---------------      STOCK    UNDERLYING  LTIP    ALL OTHER
   NAME AND PRINCIPAL         SALARY   BONUS      AWARD(S)   OPTIONS/  PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
        POSITION         YEAR ($)(1)  ($)(2)         $       SAR'S(#)    ($)      ($)(3)
   ------------------    ---- ------- -------    ---------- ---------- ------- ------------
<S>                      <C>  <C>     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>
Alan H. Cohen            1996 265,000 116,706       --           --      --          --
 CEO, President and      1995 250,000  90,000       --           --      --       30,000
 Chairman of the Board   1994 250,000  42,511       --           --      --       29,193

Larry J. Sablosky        1996 225,000  99,090       --           --      --       17,879
 Executive Vice          1995 250,000  90,000       --           --      --       30,000
 President               1994 250,000  30,788       --           --      --       29,193

Joseph W. Wood           1996 172,632  80,685(4)    --         5,000     --          --
 Vice President--General 1995  26,559     --        --        40,000     --          --
 Merchandise Manager     1994     --      --        --           --      --          --

David I. Klapper         1996 175,000  51,380       --           --      --       17,879
 Executive Vice          1995 250,000  90,000       --           --      --       30,000
 President               1994 250,000  42,511       --           --      --       29,193

David M. Fagin           1996 175,000  51,380       --           --      --       17,879
 Executive Vice          1995 250,000  90,000       --           --      --       30,000
 President and           1994 250,000  30,805       --           --      --       29,193
 Secretary
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) From the Company's initial public offering in June 1992 through fiscal
    1995, Messrs. Cohen, Klapper, Fagin and Sablosky were compensated at an
    annualized base rate of $250,000.
(2) Cash bonuses for services rendered in fiscal 1996 have been listed in the
    year earned; however, the stated amounts were actually paid in the
    subsequent fiscal year.
(3) The stated amounts are Company contributions to The Finish Line, Inc.
    Profit Sharing Plan. Mr. Cohen elected not to participate in the plan for
    plan year ended October 31, 1995. Mr. Wood was not eligible to participate
    in the plan during his first year of employment.
(4) $30,000 of the stated amount was paid in January 1996 as a signing bonus
    which was paid at the end of Mr. Wood's first full year of employment.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
  Directors who are employees of the Company are not compensated for serving
as directors. Directors who are not employees of the Company are paid $2,500
per annum and an additional $2,500 per meeting for attending regular meetings
of the Board of Directors and are reimbursed for expenses incurred in
attending regular, special and committee meetings. In addition, Directors who
are not employees of the Company receive options to purchase 3,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock upon their first election to the Board and an additional
2,000 options for each year they serve on the Board.
 
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
                             SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table sets forth information as to the current ownership of
the Class A and Class B Common Stock by the persons named below (the "Selling
Stockholders"), and as adjusted to reflect the sale of 1,300,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock by the Company and 1,300,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock by the Selling Stockholders.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED                                SHARES TO BE BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                        PRIOR TO THE OFFERING                                        AFTER THE OFFERING
                 -----------------------------------------             -----------------------------------------------------
                      CLASS A           CLASS B                             CLASS A           CLASS B
                 ----------------- -----------------------  SHARES TO  ----------------- -----------------------
                           PERCENT                 PERCENT BE SOLD IN            PERCENT                 PERCENT PERCENT OF
NAME AND                     OF                      OF        THE                 OF                      OF    CLASS A AND
ADDRESS(3)       SHARES(1)  CLASS   SHARES          CLASS  OFFERING(2) SHARES(1)  CLASS   SHARES          CLASS    CLASS B
- ----------       --------- ------- ---------       ------- ----------- --------- ------- ---------       ------- -----------
<S>              <C>       <C>     <C>             <C>     <C>         <C>       <C>     <C>             <C>     <C>
Alan H. Cohen...     --       --   1,829,529(4)     29.3%    381,486       --       --   1,448,043(4)     29.3%     12.5%
David I.
 Klapper........     --       --   1,829,529(4)(5)  29.3     381,486       --       --   1,448,043(4)(5)  29.3      12.5
David M. Fagin..     --       --   1,194,368(6)     19.2     263,614       --       --     930,754(6)     18.9       8.0
Larry J.
 Sablosky.......     --       --   1,311,241(4)(7)  21.0     273,414       --       --   1,037,827(4)(7)  21.0       8.9
</TABLE>
- -------
(1) Excludes shares of Class B Common Stock convertible into a corresponding
    number of Class A Common Stock.
(2) Consists of shares of Class B Common Stock that the Selling Stockholders
    will convert immediately prior to the closing of this offering into the
    same number of shares of Class A Common Stock, which shares will then be
    sold in this offering.
(3) The address of each is 3308 North Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, Indiana
    46236.
(4) Includes 300,706 shares of Class B Common Stock for each of Messrs. Cohen
    and Klapper and 196,603 for Mr. Sablosky held as trustee of various trusts
    for the benefit of their respective minor children.
(5) Includes 342,857 shares held by Mr. Klapper as general partner of a family
    partnership.
   
(6) Includes 33,054 shares held by Mr. Fagin's spouse and includes 6,582
    shares held by Mr. Fagin as custodian for his minor children. Excludes an
    aggregate of 69,870 shares held by Mr. Fagin's son and daughter who are
    over the age of 21. Mr. Fagin disclaims beneficial ownership of all
    securities held by other members of his household.     
(7) Includes 4,984 shares held by Mr. Sablosky's spouse and includes 5,816
    shares held by Mr. Sablosky as custodian for his minor children. Also
    includes 59,748 shares held by a trust for Mr. Sablosky's minor children
    under a Trust Agreement pursuant to which he serves as a co-trustee. Mr.
    Sablosky disclaims beneficial ownership of all securities held by other
    members of his household.
 
  If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, Messrs.
Cohen, Klapper, Fagin and Sablosky will sell in this offering a total of
495,932, 495,932, 342,698 and 355,438 shares of Class A Common Stock,
respectively, and therefore will own 1,333,597, 1,333,597, 851,670 and 955,803
shares of Class B Common Stock, respectively, after completion of this
offering.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
  The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 1,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 32,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  Each share of Common Stock is designated as either Class A Common Stock or
Class B Common Stock. The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock and 12,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. As of May
1, 1996, there were 4,092,762 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding and
6,234,537 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding. Substantially all of the
outstanding Class B Common Stock is held by the Selling Stockholders and their
family members. Upon the closing of this offering, there will be 6,692,762
shares of Class A Common Stock and 4,934,537 shares of Class B Common Stock
outstanding. Authorized shares of Class A Common Stock will be increased by an
amount equal to any corresponding decrease determined by the Board of
Directors in the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Stock. The
issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
have been, and the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby will be, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
  The Board of Directors has determined not to issue additional shares of
Class B Common Stock, except in conjunction with stock splits, reverse stock
splits, stock dividends, reclassifications and similar transactions and events
regarding the Class A Common Stock that would otherwise have the effect of
changing the conversion rights of the Class B Common Stock relative to the
Class A Common Stock (the "Adjustments").
 
  Holders of Common Stock do not have any preemptive rights or rights to
subscribe for additional securities of the Company. Shares of Common Stock are
not redeemable and there are no sinking fund provisions.
 
  While the shares of Class A Common Stock are not convertible into any other
series or class of the Company's securities, each share of Class B Common
Stock is freely convertible into one share (subject to the Adjustments) of
Class A Common Stock at the option of the Class B stockholder. All shares of
Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert to shares of Class A Common
Stock (on a share-for-share basis, subject to the Adjustments) on the earliest
record date for an annual meeting of the Company's stockholders on which the
number of shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding is less than 5% of the
total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Shares of Class B Common
Stock may not be transferred to third parties (except for transfers to certain
family members and in other limited circumstances). Any impermissible transfer
of shares of Class B Common Stock will result in the automatic conversion of
such shares into shares of Class A Common Stock.
 
  Subject to the preferences applicable to Preferred Stock outstanding at the
time, holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to dividends if, when and
as declared by the Board of Directors from funds legally available therefor,
and are entitled, in the event of liquidation, to share ratably in all assets
remaining after payment of liabilities and Preferred Stock preferences, if
any. In the case of dividends or other distributions payable in Common Stock,
shares of Class A Common Stock will be distributed with respect to Class A
Common Stock, and shares of Class B Common Stock shall be distributed with
respect to Class B Common Stock unless the Board of Directors determines to
distribute shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to Class B Common
Stock. In all other respects each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock will be treated equally with respect to dividends and
distributions.
 
  Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held
of record, and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes for
each share held of record. The Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common
Stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders (including the election of directors), except that, in the case
of a proposed amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
that would alter the powers, preferences or special rights of either the Class
A
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
Common Stock or the Class B Common Stock, the class of Common Stock to be
altered shall vote on the amendment as a separate class. Shares of Common
Stock do not have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of
directors. Immediately after this offering, the Selling Stockholders and their
family members will hold all the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock,
constituting approximately 88% of the voting power of the outstanding Common
Stock, which will allow them to control all actions to be taken by the
stockholders, including the election of all directors to the Board of
Directors. See "Selling Stockholders" and "Risk Factors."
 
  The Company's Board of Directors has six members. Either the directors or
the stockholders may amend the Bylaws to change the size of the Board, subject
to the requirement in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation that the
entire Board must consist of at least four and no more than 12 directors. The
directors stand for reelection at each annual meeting of the stockholder and
vacancies on the Board, including a vacancy caused by an increase in the size
of the Board, may be filled by the remaining directors. Any stockholder
entitled to vote at a meeting regarding the election of directors may nominate
a person for election as a director, provided that the stockholder gives the
Company written notice of the nomination at least 90 days before the meeting
(or if later, the seventh day after the first public announcement of the date
of such meeting), which notice must contain specified information about the
stockholder and the nominee.
 
  The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that any action
that can be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken by written
consent in lieu of the meeting if the Company receives consents signed by
stockholders having the minimum number of vote that would be necessary to
approve the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the
matter were present. This would permit the Selling Stockholders to take all
actions required to be taken by the stockholders without providing the other
stockholders the opportunity to make nominations, or raise other matters at a
meeting. However, the Company does not presently expect the written consent
procedure to be utilized in the future.
 
  The Company's Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Class A and Class B
Common Stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Co. The Class A Common Stock
is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "FINL."
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company's Board of Directors is authorized without further action by the
stockholders to issue, from time to time, shares of Preferred Stock in one or
more class or series, and to fix or alter the designations, powers and
preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any,
and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without
limitation, dividend rights (and whether dividends are cumulative), conversion
rights, if any, voting rights (including the number of votes, if any, per
slide), rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions, if
any), redemption price and liquidation preferences of any unissued shares or
wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and the number of shares
constituting any such class or series and the designation thereof, and to
increase or decrease the number of shares of any such class or series
subsequent to the issuance of shares of such class or series, but not below
the amount then outstanding.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions stated in the Underwriting
Agreement dated the date hereof, each Underwriter named below has severally
agreed to purchase, and the Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed
to sell to such Underwriter, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock set
forth opposite the name of such Underwriter.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NUMBER OF SHARES
                                                                   OF CLASS A
   NAME                                                           COMMON STOCK
   ----                                                         ----------------
   <S>                                                          <C>
   Smith Barney Inc............................................
   A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc....................................
   Oppenheimer & Co., Inc......................................
                                                                   ---------
       Total...................................................    2,600,000
                                                                   =========
</TABLE>
 
  The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several
Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares are subject to
approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions.
The Underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all shares of Class A
Common Stock offered hereby (other than those covered by the over-allotment
options described below) if any such shares are taken.
 
  The Underwriters, for whom Smith Barney Inc., A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. and
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. are acting as the Representatives, propose to offer
part of the shares directly to the public at the public offering price set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and part of the shares to certain
dealers at a price which represents a concession not in excess of $   per
share under the public offering price. The Underwriters may allow, and such
dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $   per share to certain
other dealers. After the initial offering of the shares to the public, the
public offering price and such concessions may be changed by the
Representatives.
 
  The Selling Stockholders have granted to the Underwriters an option,
exercisable for thirty days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up
to 390,000 additional shares of Class A Common Stock at the price to public
set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus minus the underwriting
discounts and commissions. The Underwriters may exercise such option solely
for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with the
offering of the shares offered hereby. To the extent such option is exercised,
each Underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase
approximately the same percentage of such additional shares as the number of
shares set forth opposite each Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears
to the total number of shares listed in such table.
 
  The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed that, for a period of
120 days from the date of this Prospectus, and the remaining executive
officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 90 days from the date
of this Prospectus, they will not, without the prior written consent of Smith
Barney Inc., offer, sell, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, any
shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company or any securities convertible
into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Class A Common Stock of the Company,
except for the sale of up to 40,000 shares by two executive officers.
 
  The Company, the Selling Stockholders, and the Underwriters have agreed to
indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
 
  The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
generally prohibit the Underwriters from making a market in the Class A Common
Stock of the Company during the two business
 
                                      28

<PAGE>
 
days prior to commencement of sales in this Offering (the "Cooling Off
Period"). The Commission has, however, adopted Rule 10b-6A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Rule 10b-6A"), which provides an
exemption from such prohibition for certain passive market making
transactions. Such passive market making transactions must comply with
applicable price and volume limits and must be identified as passive market
making transactions. In general, pursuant to Rule 10b-6A, a passive market
maker must display its bid for a security at a price not in excess of the
highest independent bid for the security. If all independent bids are lowered
below the passive maker's bid, however, such bid must then be lowered when
certain purchase limits are exceeded. Further, net purchases by a passive
market maker on each day are generally limited to a specified percentage of
the passive market maker's average daily trading volume in a security during a
specified prior period and must be discontinued when such limit is reached.
Pursuant to the exemption provided by Rule 10b-6A, certain of the Underwriters
and selling group members may engage in passive market making in the Class A
Common Stock of the Company during the Cooling Off Period. Passive market
making may stabilize the market price of the Class A Common Stock at a level
above that which might otherwise prevail, and, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time.
 
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Company by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Los Angeles,
California. Jonathan K. Layne, who is a member of the Company's Board of
Directors, is a partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Kirkland & Ellis,
Chicago, Illinois, will act as counsel to the Underwriters.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements of The Finish Line, Inc. at February 28, 1995 and
February 29, 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended
February 29, 1996, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement (as
defined below) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors,
as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are
included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") with the Commission under the Securities Act with
respect to the securities covered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus omits
certain information and exhibits included in the Registration Statement,
copies of which may be obtained upon payment of a fee prescribed by the
Commission or may be examined free of charge at the principal office of the
Commission in Washington, D.C.
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed with
the Commission by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the Commission located
at 500 West Madison Street, Room 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60606 and at 7 World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material
can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are by this
reference incorporated in and made a part of this Prospectus: (i) the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29,
1996; (ii) the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed May 20,
1992; and (iii) all documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all the
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all the
securities then remaining unsold. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent
that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Prospectus.
 
  Copies of all documents that are incorporated herein by reference (not
including the exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into such documents or into this
Prospectus) will be provided without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon a written or oral
request to The Finish Line, Inc., Attention: Chief Financial Officer, 3308 N.
Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46236, telephone number (317) 899-
1022.
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Report of Independent Auditors............................................  F-3
Audited Financial Statements
Balance Sheets as of February 28, 1995 and February 29, 1996..............  F-4
Statements of Income for the Years Ended February 28, 1994, February 28,
 1995 and February 29, 1996...............................................  F-6
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended February 28, 1994, February
 28, 1995 and February 29, 1996...........................................  F-7
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended February
 28, 1994, February 28, 1995 and February 29, 1996........................  F-8
Notes to Financial Statements.............................................  F-9
</TABLE>    
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
 
 
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF
THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of The Finish Line, Inc. as
of February 28, 1995 and February 29, 1996, and the related statements of
income, cash flows, and changes in stockholders' equity for each of the three
years in the period ended February 29, 1996. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of The Finish Line, Inc. at
February 28, 1995 and February 29, 1996 and the results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 29,
1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Fort Wayne, Indiana
March 26, 1996
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                                           1995         1996
                                                       ------------ ------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
 
                        ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents.............................   $   978      $  1,686
Accounts receivable...................................     1,914         1,099
Merchandise inventories...............................    55,498        76,088
Deferred income taxes.................................     1,367         1,608
Other.................................................       682           524
                                                         -------      --------
    Total current assets..............................    60,439        81,005
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Land..................................................       315           315
Building..............................................     4,114         4,156
Leasehold improvements................................    20,861        26,898
Furniture, fixtures and equipment.....................     7,732        11,235
Construction in progress..............................     1,975           596
                                                         -------      --------
                                                          34,997        43,200
Less accumulated depreciation.........................     9,029        11,441
                                                         -------      --------
                                                          25,968        31,759
OTHER ASSETS:
Deferred income taxes.................................     1,981         2,208
Other.................................................       147           --
                                                         -------      --------
                                                           2,128         2,208
                                                         -------      --------
      Total assets....................................   $88,535      $114,972
                                                         =======      ========
</TABLE>
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                                          1995         1996
                                                      ------------ ------------
                                LIABILITIES AND
                              STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable.....................................   $19,272      $ 29,717
Notes payable to bank................................     3,025         9,500
Employee compensation and related payroll taxes......     2,570         3,234
Accrued interest.....................................         9            56
Accrued income taxes.................................     2,460         2,074
Accrued property and sales tax.......................     1,282         1,869
Other liabilities and accrued expenses...............     1,771         2,102
                                                        -------      --------
    Total current liabilities........................    30,389        48,552
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Deferred rent payments...............................     2,659         3,272
Long-term debt.......................................     2,000           --
                                                        -------      --------
                                                          4,659         3,272
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value; 1,000 shares
 authorized; none issued.............................       --            --
Common Stock, $.01 par value
  Class A:
   Shares authorized--20,000
   Shares issued and outstanding (1995--4,059; 1996--
    4,081)...........................................        40            41
  Class B:
   Shares authorized--12,000
   Shares issued and outstanding (1995--6,256; 1996--
    6,235)...........................................        63            62
  Additional paid-in capital.........................    30,371        30,374
  Retained earnings..................................    23,013        32,671
                                                        -------      --------
    Total stockholders' equity.......................    53,487        63,148
                                                        -------      --------
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.....   $88,535      $114,972
                                                        =======      ========
</TABLE>
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                             1994         1995         1996
                                         ------------ ------------ ------------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>
Net sales...............................   $157,011     $191,623     $240,155
Cost of sales (including occupancy
 expenses)..............................    107,491      132,726      168,912
                                           --------     --------     --------
Gross profit............................     49,520       58,897       71,243
Selling, general and administrative
 expenses...............................     36,678       44,548       54,254
                                           --------     --------     --------
Operating income........................     12,842       14,349       16,989
Interest expense........................        184          317          892
                                           --------     --------     --------
Income before income taxes..............     12,658       14,032       16,097
Provision for federal and state income
 taxes..................................      5,063        5,618        6,439
                                           --------     --------     --------
Net income..............................   $  7,595     $  8,414     $  9,658
                                           ========     ========     ========
Net income per share....................   $    .74     $    .82     $    .94
                                           ========     ========     ========
Weighted average shares.................     10,315       10,315       10,315
                                           ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                             1994         1995         1996
                                         ------------ ------------ ------------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income.............................    $  7,595     $  8,414     $  9,658
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
 net cash provided by operating
 activities:
  Depreciation and amortization........       2,018        2,888        3,982
  Deferred income taxes................        (589)        (835)        (468)
  (Gain) loss on disposal of property
   and equipment.......................           4          (15)         213
  Changes in operating assets and
   liabilities:
   Accounts receivable.................        (412)        (881)         815
   Merchandise inventories.............      (6,059)      (9,568)     (20,590)
   Other current assets................         120         (280)         158
   Tax deposits and other assets.......       1,726          (43)         147
   Accounts payable....................       2,925        1,391       10,445
   Employee compensation and related
    payroll taxes......................         543          608          664
   Accrued income taxes................         758        1,038         (386)
   Other liabilities and accrued
    expenses...........................         349          554          965
   Deferred rent payments..............         621          621          613
                                           --------     --------     --------
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities........................       9,599        3,892        6,216
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment....      (6,544)     (10,025)     (10,197)
Proceeds from disposals of property and
 equipment.............................          12          418          211
                                           --------     --------     --------
    Net cash used in investing
     activities........................      (6,532)      (9,607)      (9,986)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from short-term and long-term
 debt..................................      37,900       59,249      102,100
Principal payments on short-term and
 long-term debt........................     (37,900)     (56,224)     (97,625)
Net principal reduction of stockholder
 loans.................................        (595)         --           --
Proceeds and tax benefits from exercise
 of stock options......................         --           --             3
                                           --------     --------     --------
    Net cash provided by (used in)
     financing activities..............        (595)       3,025        4,478
                                           --------     --------     --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
 cash equivalents......................       2,472       (2,690)         708
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
 of year...............................       1,196        3,668          978
                                           --------     --------     --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
 year..................................     $ 3,668     $    978     $  1,686
                                           ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-7

<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                 STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   COMMON STOCK
                         ------------------------------------
                         NUMBER OF SHARES         AMOUNT      ADDITIONAL
                         ------------------   ---------------  PAID-IN   RETAINED
                         CLASS A   CLASS B    CLASS A CLASS B  CAPITAL   EARNINGS TOTALS
                         --------  --------   ------- ------- ---------- -------- -------
<S>                      <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>        <C>      <C>
Balance at March 1,
 1993...................     4,016     6,299    $40     $63    $30,371   $ 6,987  $37,461
  Net income for 1994...                                                   7,595    7,595
  Conversion of Class B
   Common Stock to Class
   A Common Stock.......        20       (20)
  Other.................                                                      17       17
                          --------  --------    ---     ---    -------   -------  -------
Balance at February 28,
 1994...................     4,036     6,279     40      63     30,371    14,599   45,073
  Net income for 1995...                                                   8,414    8,414
  Conversion of Class B
   Common Stock to Class
   A Common Stock.......        23       (23)
                          --------  --------    ---     ---    -------   -------  -------
Balance at February 28,
 1995...................     4,059     6,256     40      63     30,371    23,013   53,487
  Net income for 1996...                                                   9,658    9,658
  Conversion of Class B
   Common Stock to Class
   A Common Stock.......        21       (21)     1      (1)                          --
  Non-qualified Class A
   Common Stock options
   exercised............         1                                   3                  3
                          --------  --------    ---     ---    -------   -------  -------
Balance at February 29,
 1996...................     4,081     6,235    $41     $62    $30,374   $32,671  $63,148
                          ========  ========    ===     ===    =======   =======  =======
</TABLE>
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Basis of Presentation
 
  The financial statements include the accounts of The Finish Line, Inc. ("the
Company"). Throughout these notes to the financial statements, the fiscal
years ended February 28, 1994, February 28, 1995, and February 29, 1996 are
referred to as 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively.
 
 Reclassification
 
  Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
presentation.
 
 Nature of Operations
 
  Finish Line is a specialty retailer of men's, women's and children's brand-
name athletic, outdoor and lifestyle footwear, activewear and accessories.
Finish Line stores average approximately 4,000 square feet in size and are
primarily located in enclosed malls in the Midwest, Southeast and South.
 
  In 1996, the Company purchased approximately 80% of its merchandise from its
five largest suppliers. The largest supplier, Nike, accounted for
approximately 40% and 50% of merchandise purchases in 1995 and 1996,
respectively.
 
 Use of Estimates
 
  The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
  Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a
maturity date of three months or less when purchased.
 
 Merchandise Inventories
 
  Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using a
weighted average cost method, which approximates the first-in, first-out
method.
 
 Property and Equipment
 
  Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are
generally provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of the assets, or where applicable, the terms of the respective leases,
whichever is shorter.
 
 Store Opening and Closing Costs
 
  Store opening costs and other non-capitalized expenditures incurred prior to
opening new retail stores are expensed on a pro rata basis throughout the
fiscal year in which the store is opened. When a decision to close a retail
store is made, the Company expenses any remaining future net lease obligation,
nonrecoverable investment in property and equipment and other costs related to
the store closure.
 
 Deferred Rent Payments
 
  The Company is a party to various lease agreements which require scheduled
rent increases over the noncancelable lease term. Rent expense for such leases
is recognized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term. The
difference between rent based upon scheduled monthly payments and rent expense
recognized on a straight-line basis is recorded as deferred rent payments.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
 Advertising
 
  The Company expenses the cost of advertising as incurred. Advertising
expense net of co-op credits for the years ended 1994, 1995, and 1996 amounted
to $2,788,000, $3,020,000, and $3,524,000, respectively.
 
 Financial Instruments
 
  Financial Instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents and Notes Payable
to Bank. The fair value of these financial instruments approximates their
carrying amounts at February 29, 1996. At February 28, 1995 and February 29,
1996, the Company had not invested in any derivative financial instruments.
 
 Accounting Changes
 
  In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
121 ("SFAS 121"), "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of," which requires impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those
assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. The Company will adopt SFAS
121 in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 and, based on current circumstances,
does not believe the effect of adoption will be material.
 
2. DEBT AGREEMENTS
 
  The Company has an unsecured committed Loan Agreement (the "Facility") with
a commercial bank in the amount of $25,000,000, which expires on September 1,
1997. The Company, at its election, can increase the credit available to
$30,000,000. At February 29, 1996, $9,500,000 was outstanding under the
Facility.
 
  The Facility contains restrictive covenants which limit, among other things,
mergers and dividends. In addition, the Company must maintain a fixed charge
coverage ratio (as defined) of not less than 1.5 to 1.0, a tangible net worth
of not less than $42,500,000, and funded debt to total capitalization (as
defined) may not exceed 40%. The Company was in compliance with all
restrictive covenants of the debt agreements in effect at February 29, 1996.
 
  The interest rate on the Facility is, at the Company's election, either the
bank's Federal Fund Rate plus .975%, the bank's CD Rate plus .875%, the bank's
LIBOR Rate plus .875% or the bank's prime commercial lending rate. The margin
percentage added to the Federal Fund Rate, CD Rate and LIBOR Rate is subject
to adjustment quarterly based on the fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined).
The effective borrowing rate at February 29, 1996 was approximately 6.4%.
Interest paid on the Facility during 1994, 1995, and 1996 amounted to $98,000,
$225,000, and $773,000, respectively. The Company pays a commitment fee on the
unused portion of the Facility at an effective annual rate of 1/8 of 1%. The
commitment fees expensed in 1996 were $12,000.
 
  Long-term debt as of February 28, 1995 consisted of a $2,000,000 promissory
note. The note was repaid in full on August 31, 1995. Interest paid on long-
term debt for 1994, 1995, and 1996 amounted to $94,000, $111,000, and $68,000
respectively.
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
3. LEASES
 
  The Company leases retail stores under noncancelable operating leases which
generally have lease terms ranging from five to ten years. Most of these lease
arrangements do not provide for renewal periods. Many of the leases contain
contingent rental provisions computed on the basis of store sales. In addition
to rent payments, certain leases require the Company to pay real estate taxes,
insurance, maintenance, and other costs. The components of rent expense
incurred under these leases is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEAR ENDED
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                              1994         1995         1996
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
   <S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
   Base rent.............................   $ 8,686      $11,079      $14,042
   Deferred rent.........................       621          621          613
   Contingent rent.......................     1,020          859        1,509
                                            -------      -------      -------
   Rent expense..........................   $10,327      $12,559      $16,164
                                            =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
  A schedule of future fixed rent payments by fiscal year for signed operating
leases at February 29, 1996 with initial or remaining noncancelable terms of
one year or more is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                  <C>
   1997................................................................ $ 16,196
   1998................................................................ $ 15,977
   1999................................................................ $ 15,744
   2000................................................................ $ 15,396
   2001................................................................ $ 15,040
   Thereafter.......................................................... $ 48,850
                                                                        --------
                                                                        $127,203
                                                                        ========
</TABLE>
 
  The above schedule includes lease commitments for nine new stores which were
not open as of February 29, 1996.
 
4. INCOME TAXES
 
  Components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEAR ENDED
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                              1994         1995         1996
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
   <S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
   Currently payable:
     Federal.............................    $4,598       $5,162       $5,570
     State...............................     1,054        1,291        1,337
                                             ------       ------       ------
                                              5,652        6,453        6,907
                                             ------       ------       ------
   Deferred:
     Federal.............................      (463)        (663)        (371)
     State...............................      (126)        (172)         (97)
                                             ------       ------       ------
                                               (589)        (835)        (468)
                                             ------       ------       ------
                                             $5,063       $5,618       $6,439
                                             ======       ======       ======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes
and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the
Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       FEBRUARY 28, FEBRUARY 29,
                                                           1995         1996
                                                       ------------ ------------
   <S>                                                 <C>          <C>
   Deferred tax assets:
     Deferred rent accrual............................    $1,063       $1,343
     Store opening supplies...........................       927        1,073
     Uniform capitalization...........................       764          819
     Vacation accrual.................................       186          224
     Bonus accrual....................................       388          438
     Other............................................        30          127
                                                          ------       ------
   Total deferred tax assets..........................     3,358        4,024
                                                          ------       ------
   Deferred tax liabilities:
     Tax over book depreciation.......................       (10)        (208)
                                                          ------       ------
   Net deferred tax assets............................    $3,348       $3,816
                                                          ======       ======
</TABLE>
 
  Payments of income taxes for 1994, 1995, and 1996 were $5,082,000,
$5,579,000, and $7,465,000, respectively.
 
5. PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
  The Company sponsors a defined contribution profit sharing plan which covers
substantially all employees who have completed one year of service.
Contributions to this plan are discretionary and are allocated to employees as
a percentage of each covered employee's salary. The Company's total expense
for the plan in 1994, 1995, and 1996 amounted to $801,000, $900,000, and
$815,000, respectively.
 
6. STOCK OPTIONS
 
  On March 27, 1992, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted and
approved the 1992 Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), which allows the grants of
incentive stock options and other awards. The Board of Directors has reserved
850,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of options
or grants of other awards under the Plan.
 
  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee determines the terms of awards under the Plan, including exercise
price, vesting and expiration. All options outstanding under the Plan as of
the end of fiscal 1996 are exercisable at a price equal to the fair market
value on the date of grant, vest over four years and expire ten years after
the date of grant.
 
  On July 21, 1994, the Company's stockholders approved The Finish Line, Inc.
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan"), which allows
the grant of a maximum of 75,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to non-
employee directors of the Company.
 
  Subject to the provisions of the Director Plan, upon initial election as a
non-employee director, each such director will be granted a non-qualified
stock option to purchase 3,000 shares of the Class A Common Stock. In
addition, each non-employee director will be automatically granted, on an
annual basis, a non-qualified stock option to purchase 2,000 shares of the
Company's Class A Common Stock on the date of each Annual Meeting
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
of Stockholders commencing with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders at which
the non-employee director is granted the initial 3,000 share option. The per
share exercise price of the options will be the fair market value of a share
of the Company's Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. Each option will
have a term of ten years and will become fully exercisable one year after a
non-employee director's initial election to the board. Options granted under
the Director Plan amounted to 10,000 and 4,000 in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
  The Company currently follows the provisions of Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25 ("APB 25"), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," which
requires compensation expense for the Company's options to be recognized only
if the market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price on the
date of grant. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized compensation
expense for its options granted in 1994, 1995 or 1996.
 
  In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 ("SFAS 123"), "Accounting for Stock-
Based Compensation." SFAS 123 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1995 and will require companies to either adopt a fair value
based method of expense recognition for all stock compensation based awards,
or provide proforma net income and earnings per share information as if the
recognition and measurement provisions of SFAS 123 had been adopted. Upon the
adoption of SFAS 123 in fiscal 1997, the Company intends to continue to
account for its stock compensation based awards following the provisions of
APB 25 and provide the required fair value based proforma information.
 
  A reconciliation of the Company's stock option activity and related
information under both plans is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NUMBER        PRICE
                                                     OF OPTIONS    PER SHARE
                                                     ---------- ---------------
   <S>                                               <C>        <C>
   Outstanding at February 28, 1993.................   95,001   $10.25 - $19.75
   Granted..........................................  107,000     9.75 -  15.25
   Exercised........................................        0
   Canceled.........................................  (26,000)   13.88 -  19.75
                                                      -------   ---------------
   Outstanding at February 28, 1994.................  176,001     9.75 -  15.25
   Granted..........................................  172,500     7.50 -   9.00
   Exercised........................................        0
   Canceled.........................................  (16,500)    8.00 -  15.25
                                                      -------   ---------------
   Outstanding at February 28, 1995.................  332,001     7.50 -  15.25
   Granted..........................................  281,250     6.75 -  12.00
   Exercised........................................     (300)    8.00
   Canceled.........................................  (28,700)    6.75 -  15.25
                                                      -------   ---------------
   Outstanding at February 29, 1996.................  584,251     6.75 -  15.25
                                                      =======   ===============
</TABLE>
 
  As of February 29, 1996, 104,056 of the options are exercisable.
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                             THE FINISH LINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
7. COMMON STOCK
 
  At February 29, 1996, shares of the Company's stock outstanding consisted of
Class A and Class B Common Stock. Class A and Class B Common Stock have
identical rights with respect to dividends and liquidation preference.
However, Class A and Class B Common Stock differ with respect to voting
rights, convertibility, and transferability.
 
  Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held
of record, and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes for
each share held of record. The Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common
Stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders (including the election of directors), except that, in the case
of a proposed amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
that would alter the powers, preferences or special rights of either the Class
A Common Stock or the Class B Common Stock, the class of Common Stock to be
altered shall vote on the amendment as a separate class. Shares of Class A and
Class B Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights.
 
  While the shares of Class A Common Stock are not convertible into any other
series or class of the Company's securities, each share of Class B Common
Stock is freely convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock at the
option of the Class B Stockholders.
 
  Shares of Class B Common Stock may not be transferred to third parties
(except for transfer to certain family members of the holders and in other
limited circumstances). All of the shares of Class B Common Stock are held by
certain executive officers and their family members.
 
8. PER SHARE DATA
 
  Net income per share data is based on weighted average shares outstanding of
10,314,999, 10,314,999, and 10,315,177 in 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively.
Assumed exercise of the stock options issued by the Company would have no
material effect on net income per share.
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, ANY SELLING STOCKHOLDER OR ANY OF THE
UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES
OTHER THAN THOSE TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF
AN OFFER TO BUY, THOSE TO WHICH IT RELATES IN ANY STATE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM
IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH STATE. THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                                  -----------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Prospectus Summary........................................................    3
Risk Factors..............................................................    6
Use of Proceeds...........................................................    8
Price Range of Class A Common Stock.......................................    8
Dividend Policy...........................................................    8
Capitalization............................................................    9
Selected Financial Data...................................................   10
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations...............................................................   12
Business..................................................................   17
Management................................................................   22
Selling Stockholders......................................................   25
Description of Capital Stock..............................................   26
Underwriting..............................................................   28
Legal Matters.............................................................   29
Experts...................................................................   29
Available Information.....................................................   29
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference...........................   30
Index to Financial Statements.............................................  F-1
</TABLE>
 
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                2,600,000 SHARES
                         [THE FINISH LINE, INC. LOGO]
 
                              CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
                                    -------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                                        , 1996
 
                                    -------
 
                               SMITH BARNEY INC.
                           A.G. EDWARDS & SONS, INC.
                            OPPENHEIMER & CO., INC.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The following table itemizes the expenses incurred by the Registrant and
Selling Stockholders in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts. All the
amounts shown are estimates except the Securities and Exchange Commission
registration fee and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
filing fee.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SELLING
                                                         REGISTRANT STOCKHOLDERS
                                                         ---------- ------------
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee....   $ 11,263    $14,642
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Filing
 Fee...................................................      3,483      4,529
Legal Fees and Expenses................................    120,000*    10,000*
Accounting Fees and Expenses...........................     80,000*       --
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses, including Legal Fees.......      6,250*     6,250*
Printing, including Registration Statement, Prospectus,
 etc...................................................    135,000*       --
Miscellaneous Expenses.................................     45,000*       --
                                                          --------    -------
    Total..............................................   $400,996*   $35,421*
                                                          ========    =======
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
* Estimated.     
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  Article IX of the Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Article VII of its Bylaws provide for the indemnification by the Registrant of
each director, officer, employee and agent of the Registrant to the fullest
extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists
or may hereafter be amended. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law provides in relevant part that a corporation may indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of
the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct
was unlawful.
 
  In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation may indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation. or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a
manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made
in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of the
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Delaware law further provides that nothing in the above-described provisions
shall be deemed exclusive of any other rights to indemnification or
advancement of expenses to which any person may be entitled under any bylaw,
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
 
  The Registrant has entered into, and the stockholders of the Registrant
ratified, separate but identical indemnity agreements (the "Indemnity
Agreements") with each director of the Registrant and each executive officer
of the Registrant (the "Indemnitees"). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Indemnity Agreements, the Registrant has agreed to indemnify each
Indemnitee against any amounts which he becomes legally obligated to pay in
connection with any claim against him based upon any act, omission, neglect or
breach of duty which he may commit, omit or suffer while acting in his
capacity as a director and/or officer of the Registrant; provided, however,
that such claim: (i) is not based upon the Indemnitee's gaining in fact any
personal profit or advantage to which he is not legally entitled; (ii) is not
for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee
of securities of the Registrant within the meaning of Section 16A(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of any
state law; and (iii) is not based upon the Indemnitee's knowingly fraudulent,
deliberately dishonest or willful misconduct.
 
  The Indemnity Agreements provide that all costs and expenses incurred by the
Indemnitee in defending or investigating such claim shall be paid by the
Registrant in advance of the final disposition thereof unless the Registrant,
independent legal counsel, the stockholders of the Registrant or a court of
competent jurisdiction determines that: (i) the Indemnitee did not act in good
faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Registrant; (ii) in the case of any criminal action
or proceeding, the Indemnitee intentionally breached his duty to the
Registrant or its stockholders. Each Indemnitee has undertaken to repay the
Registrant for any costs or expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, nonapplicable
adjudication that he is not entitled to indemnification under the Indemnity
Agreement.
 
  The Registrant has purchased a policy of directors' liability insurance.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>   
<S>    <C>
 1     Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
 5     Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
 23.1  Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included in Exhibit 5).
 23.2  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (independent auditors).
 24    Power of Attorney (included on Page II-4).*
 27    Financial Data Schedule.*
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
* Previously filed.     
       
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed in reliance
  upon 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant
  pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of
  1933 shall be deemed to be a part of this registration statement as of the
  time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
  of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that is has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements of filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 12th
day of June, 1996.     
 
                                          THE FINISH LINE, INC.
                                           
                                             /s/ STEVEN J. SCHNEIDER     
                                          By:----------------------------------
                                             
                                          Its: Vice President--Finance and
                                            Chief Financial Officer     
          
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                    DATE
             ---------                           -----                    ----
 
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
        /s/ Alan H. Cohen*           Chairman of the Board,          June 12, 1996
____________________________________  President and Chief
           Alan H. Cohen              Executive Officer
                                      (Principal Executive
                                      Officer)

       /s/ David I. Klapper*         Executive Vice President and    June 12, 1996
____________________________________  Director
          David I. Klapper
 
 
        /s/ David M. Fagin*          Executive Vice President,       June 12, 1996
____________________________________  Secretary and Director
           David M. Fagin
 
 
      /s/ Larry J. Sablosky*         Executive Vice President and    June 12, 1996
   _________________________________  Director
         Larry J. Sablosky
 
 
     /s/ Steven J. Schneider         Vice President--Finance and     June 12, 1996
____________________________________  Chief Financial Officer
        Steven J. Schneider           (Principal Financial and
                                      Accounting Officer)
 
      /s/ Jeffrey H. Smulyan*        Director                        June 12, 1996
____________________________________
         Jeffrey H. Smulyan
</TABLE>    
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                    DATE
             ---------                           -----                    ----
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
      /s/ Jonathan K. Layne*         Director                        June 12, 1996
____________________________________
         Jonathan K. Layne
*By:
      /s/ Steven J. Schneider
  _________________________________
         Steven J. Schneider,
         as Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
                    Edgar description of Pictures/Graphics.
                    ---------------------------------------

Page 2 = 
(a) Top = Map of United States depicting, by state, where Company stores and
Corporate Headquarters and Distribution Center are located.

(b) Bottom = Bar chart graph indicating for the years 1987-1996 Company
stores opened at the beginning of each year and Company stores opened during 
each year.

Page 2A = 
(a) Top = Store brand picture of Company's retail store located at Circle 
Centre Mall, Indianapolis, Indiana.

(b) Left Center and Left Bottom = Store brand picture and "shoe wall" depicting 
footwear sold by Company at Company's retail store located at Northwoods Mall, 
Peoria, Illinois.

(c) Right Center and Right Bottom = Store brand picture and "shoe wall" 
depicting footwear sold by Company at Company's retail store located at 
Lafayette Square Mall, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Page 2B = 
(a) Top = Store brand picture of Company's retail store located at Circle Centre
Mall, Indianapolis, Indiana.

(b) Left Center and Left Bottom = Store brand picture and "shoe wall" depicting 
footwear sold by Company at Company's retail store located at Eastview Mall, 
Rochester, New York.

(c) Right Center and Right Bottom = Pictures of Company store interior depicting
merchandise sold by Company at Company's retail store located at Circle Centre 
Mall, Indianapolis, Indiana.

(d) Inside Back Cover = Six poster advertisements depicting vendor merchandise 
sold by the Company.

<PAGE>

                 [LETTERHEAD OF GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP]
 
                                 
                              June 12, 1996     
<TABLE>   
<S>             <C>
(213) 229-7000                                                     C 28291-00020
</TABLE>    
   
The Finish Line, Inc.     
3308 N. Mitthoefer Road
   
Indianapolis, Indiana 46236     
     
  Re: The Finish Line, Inc.--Form S-3 Registration     
     
     Statement (No. 333-03991____)    
 
Gentlemen:
   
  We have acted as counsel for The Finish Line, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the registration by the Company of
2,990,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock (the "Shares"), on Form
S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-03991 (the "Registration Statement") under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Of the 2,990,000 Shares offered for
sale, 1,300,000 Shares are being sold by the Company and 1,300,000 Shares are
being sold by certain stockholders (the "Selling Stockholders") and 390,000
Shares are subject to an over allotment option granted to the Underwriters (as
defined below) by the Selling Stockholders. We understand that the Company and
the Selling Stockholders propose to sell the Shares to a group of underwriters
(the "Underwriters") represented by Smith Barney Inc., A.G. Edwards & Sons,
Inc., and Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., for offering to the public.     
 
  On the basis of such investigation as we have deemed necessary, we are of
the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized, and when issued and
sold in accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement and an
underwriting agreement between the Company, the Selling Stockholders, and the
Underwriters substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading
"Legal Matters" contained in the prospectus that forms a part of the
Registration Statement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
                                             
                                          /s/ Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP     
 
                                          GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                         CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
   
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated March 26,
1996, in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-
03991) and related Prospectus of The Finish Line, Inc. for the registration of
2,990,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock.     
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Fort Wayne, Indiana
   
June 11, 1996     
 


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