Authentic Brands Group

American brand management company that acquires and licenses consumer brands across fashion, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle categories, headquartered in New York City.

Company Type

private

Founded

2007

Headquarters

New York City, New York, USA

Revenue

approximately $700 million (estimated FY2024, licensing revenue)

Employees

Approximately 3,000

Primary Market

Global

sustainable licensingethical sourcingbrand stewardshipcircular economy

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.

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History of Authentic Brands Group

Jamie Salter founded Authentic Brands Group in 2007 after working in brand licensing and management. The company initially focused on acquiring heritage brands with strong consumer recognition but underperforming commercial operations.

Early acquisitions included Marilyn Monroe (2011), Elvis Presley (2013), and Juicy Couture (2013). ABG acquired Sports Illustrated from Meredith Corporation in 2019 for approximately $110 million. The company acquired Forever 21 out of bankruptcy in 2020 in partnership with Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management.

ABG acquired the Reebok brand from Adidas in February 2022 for approximately $2.5 billion, its largest acquisition to date. Reebok significantly expanded ABG's presence in athletic footwear and apparel. In 2022, ABG also acquired the Boardriders portfolio of action sports brands including Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, DC Shoes, RVCA, and Element.

In May 2025, Levi Strauss agreed to sell the Dockers brand to ABG for $311 million. In August 2025, ABG acquired a majority stake in Guess, the American fashion brand, valuing Guess at approximately $1.4 billion. The Guess transaction closed in January 2026, making Guess ABG's second-largest brand by revenue after Reebok.

Authentic Brands Group Sustainability & Ethics

Authentic Brands Group has implemented comprehensive sustainability initiatives focused on environmental responsibility, ethical supply chain management, and social governance across its licensing operations. The company has committed to sustainable practices while maintaining its position as a leader in brand management and licensing.

ABG has established the Sustainability Alliance to coordinate environmental and social initiatives across its portfolio of brands. The company conducts annual Materiality Assessments that survey its global partner network on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) topics that matter most to stakeholders. These assessments guide ABG's sustainability strategy and reporting practices.

In environmental sustainability, ABG maintains certifications and memberships with leading sustainability organizations including the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Textile Exchange Membership, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Sustainable Apparel Coalition. The company uses the Higg Index to measure and improve sustainability performance across its licensed brands and supply chain partners.

ABG addresses ethical considerations through strong supply chain management, responsible sourcing standards, and labor practices. The company requires licensees to comply with comprehensive codes of conduct that address worker safety, fair wages, environmental protection, and ethical business practices. ABG's membership in the Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board demonstrates its commitment to transparency and standardized reporting.

The company's sustainability framework spans materials and fabrics, responsible sourcing, environmental impact reduction, and social responsibility. ABG publishes sustainability reports detailing its progress toward ESG goals and maintains open communication about its environmental and social performance across its global licensing network.

Awards & Recognition

Authentic Brands Group and its leadership have received significant recognition for innovation in brand management, licensing excellence, and business leadership.

**TIME 100 Impact Awards (2025):** Jamie Salter, Founder and CEO, was recognized for building a multibillion-dollar brand empire through strategic acquisitions and innovative licensing approaches
**Licensing Industry Leadership Awards:** Multiple recognitions for excellence in brand licensing and portfolio management across fashion, sports, and entertainment categories
**Private Equity Recognition:** Acknowledgment from financial industry publications for successful acquisition strategies and value creation in brand investments
**Fashion Industry Awards:** Recognition for revitalizing heritage brands and successful brand transformations in the fashion and athletic footwear segments
**Business Innovation Awards:** Multiple awards for pioneering the asset-heavy brand management model and demonstrating successful licensing-based business strategies
**Entrepreneurial Excellence:** Recognition for Jamie Salter's entrepreneurial vision and leadership in building one of the world's largest brand management companies
**M&A Achievement Awards:** Recognition for successful acquisitions including Reebok, Guess, and the Boardriders portfolio, demonstrating effective integration and brand development strategies

The company's performance has been noted by industry analysts for maintaining strong growth while implementing sustainability initiatives and expanding its global presence in the competitive brand management market.

Controversy, Regulation & Public Scrutiny

Sports Illustrated has faced controversy under ABG's ownership. In January 2024, The Arena Group, which licensed the Sports Illustrated brand from ABG to publish the magazine, laid off most of its editorial staff following financial difficulties. ABG subsequently terminated The Arena Group's license and sought a new licensee for the Sports Illustrated publishing rights. The situation raised questions about ABG's stewardship of media brands and the sustainability of the licensing model for journalism.

Forever 21 has faced ongoing challenges as a retail brand, filing for bankruptcy in 2019 before being acquired by ABG, Simon Property Group, and Brookfield. The brand has continued to face headwinds from fast fashion competition and changing consumer preferences.

Brands Owned by Authentic Brands Group

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Authentic Brands Group owns 11 brands in our database. Showing featured brands below.