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
About Authentic Brands Group
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.
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.
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.
ABG is headquartered in New York City, New York.
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.
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.
History of Authentic Brands Group
Brands Owned by Authentic Brands Group
View all 10 brandsAuthentic Brands Group owns 10 brands in our database. Showing featured brands below.
Billabong
Owned by Authentic Brands Group
Australian surf lifestyle brand specializing in apparel, equipment, and accessories for surfing, swimwear, and beach culture.
Champion
Owned by Authentic Brands Group
American clothing brand specializing in sportswear, athletic apparel, and casual wear, known for its hoodies, sweatshirts, and athletic heritage.
DC Shoes
Owned by Authentic Brands Group
American action sports brand specializing in skateboarding and snowboarding footwear and apparel, showing strong growth under Authentic Brands Group ownership with BBC International as its footwear licensee since 2024.
Element Skateboards
Owned by Authentic Brands Group
American skateboard company founded in 1992, manufacturing skateboard decks, apparel, footwear, and accessories with a focus on environmental consciousness and skate culture.
Forever 21
Owned by Authentic Brands Group
American fast fashion brand owned by Authentic Brands Group; the U.S. retail operating company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025 and closed all 354 U.S. stores.
Nautica
Owned by Authentic Brands Group
American apparel brand specializing in nautical-inspired clothing, outerwear, and lifestyle products for men, women, and children.
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Authentic Brands Group Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Asset-light licensing model generates high margins without manufacturing capital requirements
- +Portfolio of over 50 brands generates an estimated $30 billion or more in annual retail sales globally
- +Guess acquisition (January 2026) and Dockers acquisition (agreed May 2025) expand the portfolio into premium fashion
- +Reebok acquisition positions ABG in the major athletic footwear market
- +Boardriders portfolio makes ABG a dominant force in action sports brands
- +Founder-led with Jamie Salter maintaining strategic vision and control
Considerations
- -Private company with limited financial transparency
- -Sports Illustrated licensing controversy raised questions about media brand stewardship
- -Forever 21 continues to face retail headwinds despite ABG ownership
- -Licensing model depends on licensees' ability to execute and maintain brand standards
- -High debt levels from acquisitions including the $2.5 billion Reebok purchase
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