Authentic Brands Group is moving closer to a potential stock market debut after founder Jamie Salter said the company could go public within the next year, while announcing a leadership change aimed at preparing the business for its next stage of growth.
Matt Maddox, the former Wynn Resorts chief executive who joined Authentic as president in January 2025, will become president and CEO. Salter will shift into the role of executive chairman, allowing him to focus more heavily on acquisitions, long-term strategy, and the company’s push to become a much larger global brand platform.
“There’s no doubt about it that Matt is definitely a great Wall Street CEO,” said Salter. “We’ve almost gone public twice, we’ve filed twice and both times we were taken out by other private equity firms at much higher prices. I think this time, the company has grown so big that I think this time we’ll probably end up going public sometime in the next 12 months.”
Authentic has become one of the most powerful names in brand management by acquiring the rights to established retail, lifestyle, media, and entertainment labels, then licensing them to partners. Its portfolio includes Reebok, Champion, Brooks Brothers, Sports Illustrated, Guess, and Juicy Couture, along with partnerships involving Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, and Kevin Hart.
The company says its brands generate about $38 billion in systemwide retail sales. Its model has made it a major buyer of recognisable names, including businesses with strong consumer appeal despite financial difficulties.
Salter has said he wants to grow Authentic into a $100 billion company within five years, with mergers and acquisitions remaining central to that plan. Maddox’s experience at Wynn, where he held senior public-company roles including chief financial officer, president, and CEO, could help Authentic navigate investor scrutiny if it proceeds with an IPO.
In a release, Maddox added “the opportunity ahead is significant, and we are just getting started.”
Salter said entertainment will also become a bigger part of Authentic’s future, arguing that content is increasingly tied to consumer spending.