CVC & HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS take majority stake in AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP
Context
Authentic Brands Group has been acquired by CVC Capital Partners and HPS Investment Partners through the purchase of significant equity stakes from existing shareholders. The definitive agreements were signed in November 2021, and the transaction is expected to close in December 2021 following customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. The acquisition adds two new investors to ABG's capital structure while retaining BlackRock Long Term Private Capital as the largest shareholder. The investors intend to support ABG's expansion by providing capital and strategic resources that complement the company's brand licensing platform. CVC brings experience in consumer and media sectors, while HPS contributes credit expertise and financing flexibility. Both firms plan to work closely with ABG's management to accelerate international market penetration, enhance digital commerce capabilities, and identify additional brand acquisition opportunities. Post‑closing, the partnership is expected to enable ABG to scale its licensing operations, broaden its global distribution network, and increase the efficiency of its brand integration processes. Board representation by CVC and HPS will facilitate alignment on growth initiatives, while the additional capital is slated for use in targeted acquisitions, technology investments, and expansion of the company's e‑commerce and specialty retail channels.
As a reminder, Authentic Brands Group had previously acquired Reebok International in 2021 as part of its expansion strategy.
AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2020, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level LOGIN than the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.0x).
Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.
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Target
Authentic Brands Group is a US-based brand management company that acquires and monetizes consumer brands across apparel, footwear, lifestyle, and related categories. Rather than operating as a traditional retailer or manufacturer, the company typically builds value through intellectual property ownership, licensing, and partnerships with operating companies that handle production and distribution. Its portfolio includes a mix of heritage and mass-market brands, giving it a broad platform across consumer segments. The company’s model is centered on brand stewardship, global reach, and scalable royalty generation. By leveraging recognizable names and delegating operational execution to licensees, Authentic can pursue portfolio expansion with limited capital intensity compared with vertically integrated consumer businesses. This structure has made it a recurring consolidator in branded consumer assets.
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Historical Financials (USD)
Other operations with AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/2025 | AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP | DOCKERS | UNITED STATES | Consumer Products | Levi Strauss & Co. agreed to sell Dockers to Authentic Brands Group. The transaction transfers the Dockers brand out of Levi Strauss’ portfolio and into Authentic’s intellectual-property-led model, with the operational rollout expected to be handled through licensing and partner relationships rather than through a traditional owned-retail structure. The strategic rationale is straightforward. For Levi Strauss, the divestment supports portfolio simplification and allows management to focus on its core Levi’s and Beyond Yoga brands, while also aligning capital allocation with direct-to-consumer priorities and international growth |
| 08/2021 | AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP | REEBOK INTERNATIONAL | UNITED STATES | Consumer Products | Reebok International Ltd. has been acquired by Authentic Brands Group as part of a transaction announced in August 2021 that follows a multi‑year divestiture process initiated by the former owner. The sale concludes a period during which the target experienced fluctuating earnings, strategic realignment attempts, and a shift in market share relative to its primary competitors. Authentic Brands Group entered the agreement after evaluating the brand’s global licensing framework and its potential to integrate with the firm’s existing portfolio of apparel and footwear assets |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 3b - 100b USD
EBITDA range: 250M - 500M USD
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Target: authentic brands group
Acquirer: hps investment partners / cvc