Authentic Brands Group Acquires Dockers for $311 Million; Marquee Brands’ Prior Bid Impacted by Tariff Concerns

Authentic Brands Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Dockers brand from Levi Strauss & Co. for an initial payment of $311 million, with the potential to increase to $391 million through an $80 million earn-out based on future performance. This strategic move allows Levi Strauss to concentrate on its core brands, including Levi’s and Beyond Yoga, aligning with its focus on direct-to-consumer channels and international growth. 

Prior to this agreement, Marquee Brands was reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire Dockers. However, concerns over the volatile economic situation surrounding tariffs led Marquee to withdraw from the negotiations, thereby opening the opportunity for Authentic Brands Group to pursue the acquisition.

Authentic Brands plans to leverage its extensive licensing network to revitalize and expand Dockers’ presence globally. As part of this strategy, it has partnered with Centric Brands to manage Dockers’ operations in the U.S. and Canada, covering categories such as sportswear, activewear, and workwear. 

The transaction is expected to close by July 31, 2025, for operations in the U.S. and Canada, and by January 31, 2026, for the remaining global operations. Levi Strauss intends to utilize approximately $100 million of the net proceeds for share repurchases.