Lion Capital To Acquire A Minority Interest In Authentic Brands Group

NEW YORK, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lion Capital LLP ("Lion Capital"), a consumer-focused investment firm known for their international expertise with brands including AllSaints, Jimmy Choo, John Varvatos and Alex and Ani, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a minority interest in Authentic Brands Group LLC ("ABG") from certain of ABG's existing shareholders.  The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  

Headquartered in New York City, ABG is a brand development company which owns a leading global portfolio of iconic fashion, sports and entertainment brands. ABG's mission is to acquire, manage and build long-term value of consumer brands through partnering with best-in-class licensees and retailers.  ABG's current brand portfolio includes more than 23 world-renowned brands such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, Shaquille O'Neal, Juicy Couture, Judith Leiber, Jones New York, Hickey Freeman, Spyder and Tapout. ABG was founded in 2010 and is a portfolio company of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. ("LGP"). LGP and Jamie Salter will remain the majority owners of ABG upon completion of the Lion transaction.

"We are extremely fortunate to have LGP as our partner and we are thrilled to add Lion Capital as our newest partner alongside LGP," said Jamie Salter, Chairman and CEO, Authentic Brands Group.

"After spending time with Jamie and the ABG team, I have gained a tremendous respect for the platform the ABG team has built," said Lyndon Lea, Partner, Lion Capital. "Jamie and I saw appealing synergies between ABG and Lion Capital, and our investment represents an exciting next step for the development of ABG."

"Jamie and his team have built an incredible business in a short timeframe and we are genuinely proud of all the company's success," said Jonathan Seiffer, Senior Partner, LGP. "We are excited to have Lion Capital partner with us and management as ABG continues to expand and grow its portfolio."

About Authentic Brands Group, LLC
Authentic Brands Group is a brand development company which seeks to build long-term value through the ownership of intellectual property associated with prominent entertainment, fashion, and sports brands. Headquartered in New York City, ABG enhances brand equity through partnering with best-in-class licensees and retailers. ABG's global portfolio of world-renowned brands includes Marilyn Monroe®, Mini Marilyn®, Elvis Presley®, Muhammad Ali®, Shaquille O'Neal®, Michael Jackson® (managed brand), Juicy Couture®, Jones New York®, Judith Leiber®, Frederick's of Hollywood®, Adrienne Vittadini®, Taryn Rose®, Misook®, Hickey Freeman®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Bobby Jones®, Spyder®, Tretorn®, Tapout®, Prince®, Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, and Hind®. For more information please visit www.authenticbrandsgroup.com.

About Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. 
Leonard Green & Partners is one of the nation's preeminent private equity firms with over $15 billion of private equity capital raised since inception. Founded in 1989, the firm has invested in 79 companies in the form of traditional buyouts, going-private transactions, recapitalizations, growth capital investments and corporate carve-outs as well as select public equity and debt positions. Based in Los Angeles, CA, LGP invests in established companies that are leaders in their markets. For more information, please visit www.leonardgreen.com.

About Lion Capital
Lion Capital is a consumer-focused investor passionate about driving growth through strong brands.  With offices in Los Angeles and London, the firm's principals have led the investment of €6 billion in more than 30 businesses and more than 100 consumer brands across North America and Europe. Lion's focus on market-leading consumer-facing companies has led to investments in such well-known brands as Kettle Foods, a leading producer of all-natural snacking products; John Varvatos, the award-winning men's lifestyle brand; Perricone MD, a premium anti-aging skincare brand; Jimmy Choo, the luxury shoe and accessories retailer; and AllSaints, a leading contemporary fashion brand with a global store network. Lion Capital works in partnership with the management of its companies to strategically transform the businesses in which it invests. For more information, please visit www.lioncapital.com

SOURCE Lion Capital LLP

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