Is RVCA a subsidiary of Authentic Brands Group?

RVCA operates as a brand within Authentic Brands Group's portfolio. The brand is not a separate subsidiary but a core asset under ABG's organization, managed through licensing agreements and brand partnerships.

Is RVCA publicly traded?

RVCA itself is not publicly traded as a separate entity. Parent company Authentic Brands Group is privately owned and not publicly traded, meaning there are no publicly available shares for either RVCA or ABG.

When was RVCA founded and acquired?

RVCA was founded in 1999 by PM Tenore in Costa Mesa, California, and was acquired by Authentic Brands Group in 2023 through ABG's acquisition of Boardriders, the parent company of RVCA and other action sports brands.

RVCA was founded in 1999 by designer PM Tenore, who created the brand around the philosophy of "balance of opposites" and integrated surf, skate, martial arts, and contemporary art influences.

What is RVCA's market position?

RVCA maintains a position in the action sports and lifestyle market, recognized for its unique cultural philosophy and authentic connection to surf, skate, and martial arts communities. The brand continues to evolve under Authentic Brands Group's ownership while adapting to changing retail landscapes.

Sports

Who Owns RVCA?

RVCA is owned by Authentic Brands Group, a privately owned brand management company founded by Jamie Salter in 2007. ABG acquired RVCA through its $1.25 billion acquisition of Boardriders in 2023. Authentic Brands Group is headquartered in New York City and operates through brand licensing partnerships rather than direct manufacturing.

Parent Company

Authentic Brands Group

Acquired

2023

Status

Private

Headquarters

Costa Mesa, California, USA

Who Owns RVCA?

Parent Company: Authentic Brands Group
Ownership Type: Wholly owned
Acquisition Year: 2023
Company Type: Privately Held

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
RVCA	Authentic Brands Group	Wholly owned

History of RVCA

Founded: 1999
Founders: PM Tenore
Acquired by Authentic Brands Group: 2023

RVCA was founded in 1999 by designer PM Tenore in Costa Mesa, California. The brand's name is pronounced "rew-ka" and its philosophy centers on the "balance of opposites," a concept that integrates contrasting elements in design and culture. RVCA quickly established itself as a unique lifestyle brand that bridged surf, skate, martial arts, and contemporary art.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, RVCA grew from a Southern California startup into a globally recognized lifestyle brand. The company became known for its distinctive aesthetic that combined street art, skate culture, surf influences, and martial arts philosophy. RVCA sponsored athletes across multiple action sports and supported emerging artists through its artist network program.

The brand operated its own retail stores and training center, the RVCA Training Center, which became a notable facility for mixed martial arts training in Southern California. RVCA's connection to combat sports and martial arts set it apart from other action sports brands.

In 2023, RVCA became part of the Boardriders portfolio acquisition by Authentic Brands Group. However, in early 2025, Liberated Brands, which operated RVCA's U.S. retail stores, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, leading to the closure of all remaining RVCA retail locations in the United States.

About Authentic Brands Group

What does Authentic Brands Group own?
ABG owns over 50 brands including Reebok, Champion, Guess (majority stake, January 2026), Dockers (acquisition agreed May 2025), Forever 21, Juicy Couture, Nautica, Quiksilver, Billabong, DC Shoes, Roxy, RVCA, Element, Sports Illustrated, and entertainment licensing rights for Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Muhammad Ali, among others.

Is Authentic Brands Group publicly traded?
No. ABG is a privately held company and has not pursued a public listing as of February 2026. The company has been valued at over $20 billion in private funding discussions.

Who founded Authentic Brands Group?
ABG was founded in 2007 by Jamie Salter, who serves as Chairman and CEO. Salter built the company through acquisitions of heritage consumer brands and the development of a licensing-based business model.

Where is Authentic Brands Group headquartered?
ABG is headquartered in New York City, New York.

How does Authentic Brands Group make money?
ABG earns royalties from licensees who manufacture and sell products under ABG's brand names. Licensees pay royalties calculated as a percentage of net sales. ABG does not manufacture products or hold inventory directly.

What is ABG's most recent major acquisition?
In January 2026, ABG completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Guess, the American fashion brand, valuing Guess at approximately $1.4 billion. Prior to that, in May 2025, Levi Strauss agreed to sell the Dockers brand to ABG for $311 million.

Founded: 2007
Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
Company Type: Privately Held

View full company profile for Authentic Brands Group

Where Is RVCA Made / Based?

Headquarters: Costa Mesa, California, USA
Manufacturing / Operations: Global licensing partners, Third-party manufacturers, International production network

Brands Owned by Authentic Brands Group

Billabong - Australian surf lifestyle brand specializing in apparel, equipment, and accessor...
Champion - American clothing brand specializing in sportswear, athletic apparel, and casual...
DC Shoes - American action sports brand specializing in skateboarding and snowboarding foot...
Element Skateboards - American skateboard company founded in 1992, manufacturing skateboard decks, app...
Forever 21 - American fast fashion brand owned by Authentic Brands Group; the U.S. retail ope...
Nautica - American apparel brand specializing in nautical-inspired clothing, outerwear, an...
Quiksilver - Australian surf lifestyle brand specializing in apparel, equipment, and accessor...
Sports Illustrated - American sports media brand encompassing magazine, digital platforms, and multim...
Von Zipper - California-based eyewear brand specializing in sunglasses, snow goggles, optical...

View all brands owned by Authentic Brands Group

RVCA Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Established lifestyle brand with unique "balance of opposites" philosophy
+Strong connection to surf, skate, martial arts, and contemporary art cultures
+Diverse product categories including apparel, accessories, and equipment
+Backed by Authentic Brands Group's brand management expertise
+Strong positioning in action sports and lifestyle markets
+Ability to leverage athlete and artist sponsorships

Considerations

-Recent U.S. retail store closures following licensee bankruptcy
-Competition from other lifestyle and action sports brands
-Challenges in maintaining artistic authenticity under corporate ownership
-Dependency on licensing partners for product quality and consistency
-Retail landscape changes affecting specialty brand stores
-Need to balance core subcultural heritage with broader lifestyle positioning

Frequently Asked Questions About RVCA

Where to Buy

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RVCA on Amazon

Competitors to RVCA

No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because RVCAoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.