Authentic Brands Group
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brand management |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Jamie Salter |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jamie Salter (Founder) |
| Products | Brand management, licensing, merchandising |
| Owner | Leonard Green & Partners (majority initial investor), BlackRock (largest shareholder as of 2019), CVC Capital Partners, HPS Investment Partners |
Authentic Brands Group LLC (ABG) is a U.S.-based brand management firm located in New York City. The company oversees a diverse collection of more than 50 consumer brands spanning apparel, sports, and entertainment industries, collaborating with partners on licensing and merchandising initiatives. ABG also holds the rights to the likenesses or estates of prominent figures including Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, and Marilyn Monroe.
Foundation and Initial Developments
Established in 2010 by Jamie Salter following his departure as CEO of Hilco Consumer Capital, ABG commenced operations with an investment of $250 million, predominantly owned by Leonard Green & Partners. Early acquisitions featured apparel brands such as Silver Star and Tapout. In January 2011, ABG obtained the rights to Marilyn Monroe’s likeness, marking its entry into managing celebrity brands.
Developments During the 2010s
In October 2013, ABG purchased Juicy Couture from Fifth & Pacific for $195 million. The subsequent month, it acquired the estate of Muhammad Ali along with an 85% stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises from CORE Media Group, encompassing likeness rights and music publishing assets.
December 2015 saw basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal partner with ABG for management of his image and marketing rights. In September 2016, Julius Erving transferred his name and licensing rights to ABG, while a consortium including ABG acquired Aéropostale (clothing) following its bankruptcy.
By March 2017, ABG became the primary partner controlling Greg Norman’s consumer goods ventures. In March 2018, the company announced it had acquired Nautica (clothing company) from VF Corporation. On June 10, 2018, ABG secured intellectual property rights for Nine West Holdings, finalizing the transaction on July 3, 2018. In October that year, ABG agreed to purchase a majority interest in the Camuto Group’s proprietary brand IP alongside DSW Inc.
In May 2019, ABG acquired Sports Illustrated from Meredith Corporation for $110 million, intending to expand its use of the magazine’s trademarks and assets while Meredith continued publishing under license for at least two more years. The following month, editorial control was licensed to The Maven through a decade-long agreement led by CEO Ross Levinsohn. By August 2019, investment firm BlackRock emerged as ABG’s largest shareholder.
Activities in the 2020s
In May 2020, ABG partnered with David Glasser’s 101 Studios to launch Sports Illustrated Studios, a joint venture producing films and television content beginning with the docuseries Covers, inspired by the magazine’s iconic cover stories.
August 2020 brought a collaboration between ABG and Simon Property Group to acquire Brooks Brothers, committing to operate at least 125 retail outlets globally—a significant reduction from the pre-pandemic total of 424.
In June 2021, ABG purchased the Izod, Van Heusen, Arrow, and Geoffrey Beene brands from PVH for $220 million.
July 2021 saw ABG file for a $1.5 billion initial public offering but withdraw by November. Instead, it sold a private equity stake to CVC Capital, HPS Investment Partners, and others at a valuation of $12.7 billion. The IPO was postponed until either 2023 or 2024.
In August 2021, ABG agreed to acquire Reebok from Adidas for no less than $2.5 billion; by November, CVC Capital Partners and HPS Investment Partners had invested $3.5 billion into ABG.
In April 2023, ABG proposed a $1.25 billion acquisition of Boardriders, Inc., encompassing brands such as Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Element Skateboards, Von Zipper, Honolua, along with retailer Surf Dive 'n Ski.
January 2024 marked the end of ABG’s publishing partnership for Sports Illustrated with The Arena Group, resulting in workforce reductions. By March 2024, the brand was relicensed to Minute Media with plans to reinstate some former employees.
That same month in January 2024, ABG acquired Sperry from Wolverine World Wide and licensed North American operations of the brand to Aldo Group. In June 2024, Hanesbrands announced it would sell the Champion brand to ABG for $1.2 billion.
In May 2025, Levi Strauss agreed to divest Dockers to ABG for $311 million.
Portfolio
Louise et Cie Luxury and fashion 2018 Lucky Brand Jeans Denim manufacturer 2020 Misook Luxury and fashion 2012 Monarchy Luxury and fashion 2012 Template:SortMarilyn MonroeCite error: Invalid<ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Actress (personal brand)
2010
Nautica
Preppy clothing line
2018
Neil Lane
Jewelry in luxury and fashion
2017
Nine West
Fashion retailer
2018
Template:SortGreg NormanCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Golfer (personal brand)
2017
Template:SortShaquille O'NealCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Basketball athlete (personal brand)
2015
Palm Beach
Luxury and fashion
2012
Template:SortElvis PresleyCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Singer (personal brand)
2013
Prince Sports
Sporting goods manufacturer
2012
Quiksilver
Surfwear
2023
Reebok
Sports apparel
2022
Rockport
Footwear
2023
Roxy
Women's lifestyle label
2023
RVCA
Skate/surf apparel
2023
Sansabelt
Luxury and fashion
2012
Silver Star
Sportswear
2010
Sole Play
Luxury and fashion
2018
Sole Society
Luxury and fashion
2018
Sportcraft
Sportswear
2012
Sports Illustrated
Sports publication
2019
Spyder
Ski clothing manufacturer
2013
Sterling & Hunt
Luxury and fashion
2012
Tapout
Athletic clothing brand
2010
Taryn Rose
Luxury footwear
2013
Ted Baker
Luxury fashion retail
2022
ThalíaCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Singer (personal brand)
2016
Thomasville
Home furniture
2018
Tretorn
Luxury and fashion
2015
Van Heusen
Business/formal wear
2021
Vince Camuto
Fashion label
2018
Vision Street Wear
Skateboard apparel and footwear
2014
Template:SortAdrienne VittadiniCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Luxury and fashion
2013
Volcom
Lifestyle brand
2019
Von Zipper
Extreme sports apparel
2023
Zooey
Luxury and fashion
2012
| Brand | Sector or Profession | Year Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| Above the Rim | Sports apparel | 2014 |
| Aéropostale | Apparel retailer | 2016 |
| Airwalk | Sports apparel | 2014 |
| Billabong | Surfwear | 2023 |
| Template:Sort[lower-alpha 1] | Boxing (personal brand) | 2013 |
| Arrow | Business/formal attire | 2021 |
| Bandolino | Luxury and fashion | 2018 |
| Barneys New York | High-end department store | 2019 |
| Template:Sort[lower-alpha 1] | Soccer player (personal brand) | 2022 |
| Brooks Brothers[lower-alpha 2] | Premium apparel retailer | 2020 |
| Champion | Sportswear | 2024 |
| Chaus | Luxury and fashion | 2018 |
| Corso Como | Luxury and fashion | 2018 |
| DC Shoes | Skate and snowboard footwear brand | 2023 |
| Dockers (pending) | Business casual wear | 2025 |
| Drexel | Furniture for homes | 2018 |
| Eddie Bauer | Outdoor clothing brand | 2021 |
| Element Skateboards | Skateboard manufacturer | 2023 |
| Enzo Angiolini | Luxury and fashion footwear | 2018 |
| Template:Sort[lower-alpha 1] | Basketball athlete (personal brand) | 2016 |
| First Semester | Luxury and fashion | 2018 |
| Forever 21 | Fast fashion retailer | 2020 |
| Frederick's of Hollywood | Lingerie retailer | 2015 |
| Frye | Luxury and fashion footwear | 2017 |
| Geoffrey Beene | Mid-tier fashion label | 2021 |
| Greg Norman Shark | Sports apparel (personal brand) | 2017 |
| Hart Schaffner Marx | Menswear manufacturer | 2012 |
| Henredon | Furniture for homes | 2018 |
| Hervé Léger | Luxury and fashion | 2017 |
| Hickey Freeman | Suit manufacturer | 2012 |
| Hind | Sportswear | 2014 |
| Honolua | Hawaiian/surf clothing line | 2023 |
| Izod | Golf/preppy apparel brand | 2021 |
| Jimmy'z | Luxury and fashion label | 2016 |
| Jones New York | Fashion and luxury retail | 2015 |
| Juicy Couture | Women's apparel brand | 2013 |
Template:SortCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Fashion label 2013 |
External links
Cite error: <ref> tags exist for a group named "lower-alpha", but no corresponding <references group="lower-alpha"/> tag was found
- Pages with reference errors
- Articles with short description
- Authentic Brands Group
- 2010 establishments in New York City
- American companies established in 2010
- Branding companies of the United States
- Conglomerate companies of the United States
- CVC Capital Partners companies
- Marketing companies established in 2010
- Privately held companies based in New York City
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment
- 5