Companies

Authentic closes Champion acquisition deal

Oct 3, 2024 United States

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) has announced that it has completed the acquisition of the athleticwear brand Champion, the second-largest acquisition in the company’s history

The New York-based brand management group has completed the acquisition of the athleticwear label Champion from HanesBrands, the second-largest acquisition in the company’s history. With Champion generating nearly 3 billion US dollars in annual global retail sales, the deal positions Authentic as “the largest sports and entertainment licensing company in the world”.

GearCo, BBC and AMG have also been announced as partners to expand Champion’s global presence, building on its legacy as a pioneer in athleticwear and the creator of the iconic hoodie. “Together, we’ll honour its rich heritage while driving innovation and expanding its reach to new markets and consumers. We look forward to shaping the future of this iconic brand”, said Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Authentic.

Going forward, Champion’s long-term US collegiate apparel business will operate under a new licence granted to GearCo, which will be managed and operated by Ames Watson with Fanatics as an investor. According to Authentic, Ames Watson has extensive experience in owning and operating iconic brands, as well as deep retail and manufacturing expertise.

AMG Companies, a long-standing partner of ABG, will manage Champion’s core business in the US and Canada through its subsidiaries. Other partners in these regions include BBC for footwear and Gildan for apparel. Finally, in Central and South America, the Falic Group will take the lead as the brand’s main partner for apparel and accessories, while the IB Group will continue its omnichannel strategy to consolidate Champion’s position in the Mexican market.

Image Credits: mr-mag.com

United States ABG Acquisitions Authentic Brands Group Brands Companies