Authentic Brands Group announced it has made a binding offer to purchase global action sports and lifestyle company Boardriders. The acquisition would add some of the most iconic brands in board sports to Authentic’s portfolio, including Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, DC Shoes, RVCA, Element, VonZipper and Honolua.

In addition to the brand recognition and global reach, Authentic sees Boardriders’ potential as “a thriving online marketplace.” Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of Authentic, stated, “With Boardriders’ proven retail playbook, we also see tremendous opportunities to accelerate the expansion of its shop-in-shops, branded retail stores, wholesale and e-commerce worldwide.”

Boardriders’ brand portfolio generates $2.9 billion in retail sales annually through a global multichannel distribution network of 500-plus owned retail stores, 7,000 wholesale accounts and e-commerce in 35 countries. Additionally, the acquisition would include Surf Dive 'n Ski, a lifestyle retailer in Australia with more than 80 locations and an e-commerce platform.

New York City-based Authentic Brands Group already owns a portfolio of more than 40 Lifestyle, Entertainment and Media brands. Its brands generate approximately $24.7 billion in global annual retail sales and have an expansive retail footprint in more than 150 countries. Adding the Boardriders brands to the Authentic portfolio is expected to increase its systemwide annual retail sales to more than $27.6 billion and retail footprint to more than 11,100-plus freestanding stores and shop-in-shops globally.

The acquisition, which is subject to the consultation of certain Boardriders employee representatives, the signing of the definitive agreement and certain standard closing conditions and approvals, would be expected to be finalized in Q3 2023.