Based on panel data from A-share listed companies in China's sports goods manufacturing industry between 2014 and 2023, this study empirically examines the impact of digital innovation capability on corporate performance and its underlying mechanisms by constructing a random effects model to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal that: (1) Digital innovation capability exerts a significantly positive effect on the performance of sports goods manufacturing enterprises; however, this effect exhibits scale heterogeneity. Large enterprises benefit more prominently due to their mature R&D systems and resource advantages, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), constrained by limited resources, struggle to effectively convert digital innovation achievements into performance improvements; (2) An advanced human capital structure positively moderates the relationship between digital innovation capability and corporate performance. Highly qualified talent significantly enhances this effect by improving the efficiency of technological application and demonstrating agility in responding to market demands. Based on these findings, the study proposes that governments implement differentiated policies to consolidate the leading position of large enterprises, while supporting the digital transformation of SMEs; enterprises should refine talent cultivation and incentive mechanisms for highly educated personnel, and establish dynamic risk early-warning systems to cope with uncertainties.