<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001181431-03-032726
<TYPE>4
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20031121
<FILING-DATE>20031124
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>SOKOLOFF JONATHAN D
<CIK>0001175522
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-49850
<FILM-NUMBER>031021617
</FILING-VALUES>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>11111 SANTA MONICA BLVD
<STREET2>STE 2000
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>LEONARD GREEN PARTNERS LP
<CIK>0001175523
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-49850
<FILM-NUMBER>031021618
</FILING-VALUES>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>11111 SANTA MONICA BLVD
<STREET2>STE 2000
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>LGP MANAGEMENT INC
<CIK>0001175525
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-49850
<FILM-NUMBER>031021616
</FILING-VALUES>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>11111 SANTA MONICA BLVD
<STREET2>STE 2000
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>LEONARD GREEN & ASSOCIATES LP
<CIK>0001177047
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-49850
<FILM-NUMBER>031021614
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>11111 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD
<STREET2>SUITE 2000
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
<PHONE>3109540444
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS CORP
<CIK>0001156388
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5940
<IRS-NUMBER>954388794
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2525 EAST EL SEGUNDO BOULEVARD
<CITY>EL SEGUNDO
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90245-4632
<PHONE>3102977706
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2525 EAST EL SEGUNDO BOULEVARD
<CITY>EL SEGUNDO
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90245-4632
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>BIG 5 HOLDINGS CORP
<DATE-CHANGED>20010802
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>DANHAKL JOHN G
<CIK>0001162644
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-49850
<FILM-NUMBER>031021615
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O LEONARD GREEN & PARTNERS LP
<STREET2>SUITE 2000
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
<PHONE>3109540444
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O LEONARD GREEN & PARTNERS LP
<STREET2>SUITE 2000
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>GREEN EQUITY INVESTORS L P
<CIK>0000859687
<ASSIGNED-SIC>1044
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-49850
<FILM-NUMBER>031021619
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>11111 SANTA MONICA BLVD SUITE 2000
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
<PHONE>3109540444
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>11111 SANTA MONICA BLVD SUITE 2000
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd23600.xml
<DESCRIPTION>EXIT FORM 4 BIG 5
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-11-21</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001156388</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BGFV</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000859687</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GREEN EQUITY INVESTORS L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
<reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>11111 Santa Monica Boulevard</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>Suite 2000</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>Los Angeles</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>90025</rptOwnerZipCode></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001175523</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEONARD GREEN PARTNERS LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
<reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>11111 Santa Monica Boulevard</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>Suite 2000</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>Los Angeles</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>90025</rptOwnerZipCode></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001175522</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SOKOLOFF JONATHAN D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
<reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>11111 Santa Monica Boulevard</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>Suite 2000</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>Los Angeles</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>90025</rptOwnerZipCode></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001175525</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LGP MANAGEMENT INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
<reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>11111 Santa Monica Boulevard</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>Suite 2000</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>Los Angeles</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>90025</rptOwnerZipCode></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001162644</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DANHAKL JOHN G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
<reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>11111 Santa Monica Boulevard</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>Suite 2000</rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>Los Angeles</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>90025</rptOwnerZipCode></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001177047</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEONARD GREEN &amp; ASSOCIATES LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>11111 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-21</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>5200000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>18.12</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>971073</value><footnoteId id="F1"/><footnoteId id="F2"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value><footnoteId id="F1"/><footnoteId id="F2"/></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Green Equity Investors, L.P. ("GEI") is the direct owner of 971,073 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Issuer (the "Shares").  Leonard Green &amp; Associates, L.P. ("LGA") is the general partner of GEI.  Jonathan Sokoloff is the general partner of LGA.  Leonard Green &amp; Partners, L.P. ("LGP") is the management company of GEI.  LGP Management, Inc. ("LGPM") is the general partner of LGP.  John G. Danhakl is a director of the Issuer and a managing partner of LGP.</footnote><footnote id="F2">LGP, as the management company of GEI, LGPM as the general partner of LGP, LGA as the general partner of GEI,  Mr. Sokoloff as the general partner of LGA and Mr. Danhakl directly (whether through ownership or position) or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, may be deemed for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be the indirect beneficial owners of the Shares owned by GEI and, therefore, prior to the disposition reported herein, a "ten percent holder."  Each of LGP, LGPM, LGA and Messrs. Sokoloff and Danhakl disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares reported herein, except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting persons are the beneficial owners of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purposes.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jonathan D. Sokoloff as General Partner of Leonard Green &amp; Associates, L.P., General Partner of Green Equity Investors, L.P.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-24</signatureDate></ownerSignature><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jonathan D. Sokoloff as General Partner of Leonard Green &amp; Associates, L.P.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-24</signatureDate></ownerSignature><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jonathan D. Sokoloff as Vice President of LGP Managment, Inc., General Partner of Leonard Green &amp; Partners, L.P.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-24</signatureDate></ownerSignature><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jonathan D. Sokoloff as Vice President of LGP Management, Inc.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-24</signatureDate></ownerSignature><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jonathan D. Sokoloff</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-24</signatureDate></ownerSignature><ownerSignature><signatureName>John G. Danhakl</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-24</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>



</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
