Authentic Brands reportedly preparing for an IPO

US developer and licensee of apparel and accessory brands Authentic Brands Group LLC is allegedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) of shares. People familiar with the matter point at the first half of 2016 as the preferred date range.

Authentic Brands' majority owner, private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners LP, is currently in the process of interviewing investment banks to hire underwriters for the IPO, sources close to the company quoted by Bloomberg said earlier this week.

Leonard Green acquired a majority stake in Authentic Brands in 2010 as part of a 250 million dollars deal in which Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James Salter maintained a minority stake in the company.

Latest data show that the company´s portfolio of brand rights - which includes Prince Sports, Michael Jackson and Juicy Couture - generates around 75 million dollars in annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.