Mitch Modell, the chief executive of Modell's Sporting Goods, knows something about going under cover. Back in 2012, Mr. Modell changed his appearance to participate in the "Undercover Boss" television show on CBS. But now, a lawsuit alleges Mr. Modell took his undercover work too far by pretending to be an executive with the Dick's Sporting Goods chain to gain access to confidential business information.
According to a lawsuit filed on Feb. 20 in Mercer Country Superior Court, Mr. Modell visited a Dick's location in West Windsor, NJ and claimed to be a senior vice president who was waiting to meet the chain's CEO Edward Stack. Mr. Modell, it is alleged, persuaded employees to show him around the store and answer questions about store operations.
Neither Modell's nor Dick's would comment on the suit.