NEW YORK, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Iconix Brand Group, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ICON) ("Iconix" or the "Company"), today announced that it has
entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the Starter(R) brand from
NIKE, Inc., (NYSE: NKE). The purchase price will be $60 million to be paid in
cash and the acquisition is anticipated to close in December.
Founded in 1971, Starter pioneered the league licensed apparel business
and is currently licensed to several manufacturer/wholesalers selling
primarily to Wal-Mart in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iconix is
forecasting 2008 royalty revenue from Starter of approximately $18 million
worldwide.
Neil Cole, Chairman and CEO, Iconix, stated, "Starter is an iconic brand
that diversifies our portfolio of holdings by moving us into the athletic
apparel, team sports and athletic footwear categories. It is a brand with a
great deal of growth potential, both in the United States and around the
world, and one to which I am confident that Iconix can quickly add a lot of
value. We are very excited by this brand's potential, especially given Wal-
Mart's unmatched reach as a retailer and our marketing expertise. We believe
Starter has the potential to become one of the largest athletic apparel and
footwear brands in the world. To help reach that potential, we are working on
a multi-faceted strategy, including signing some major professional sports
figures and growing our team sports business which is Starter's heritage."
Dottie Mattison, SVP and GMM of apparel for Wal-Mart commented, "Our
customers have responded very positively to our athletic apparel and footwear
brands at value price points. Starter is one of our most powerful brands, both
in terms of its heritage and the range of different categories it covers.
Iconix is an innovator in marketing and building brands and we are
enthusiastic about their plans for Starter."
Iconix also owns the brands Danskin Now and OP which are both licensed to
Wal-Mart.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions including
clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended.
About Iconix Brand Group, Inc.:
Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) owns, licenses and markets a
growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R),
BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), LONDON FOG (R),
MOSSIMO (R), OCEAN PACIFIC (R), OP (R), DANSKIN (R), ROCA WEAR(R), CANNON (R),
ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R) and CHARISMA (R). The Company licenses it
brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every
major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market
in both the U.S. and around the world. Iconix, through its in-house
advertising, promotion and public relations agency, markets its brands to
continually drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in this press
release are forward looking statements that involve a number of known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult or
impossible to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company,
which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company
to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such
factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainty regarding the results of
the Company's acquisition of additional licenses, continued market acceptance
of current products and the ability to successfully develop and market new
products particularly in light of rapidly changing fashion trends, the impact
of supply and manufacturing constraints or difficulties relating to the
Company's licensees' dependence on foreign manufacturers and suppliers,
uncertainties relating to customer plans and commitments, the ability of
licensees to successfully market and sell branded products, competition,
uncertainties relating to economic conditions in the markets in which the
Company operates, the ability to hire and retain key personnel, the ability to
obtain capital if required, the risks of litigation and regulatory
proceedings, the risks of uncertainty of trademark protection, the uncertainty
of marketing and licensing acquired trademarks and other risks detailed in the
Company's SEC filings. The words "believe," "anticipate," "expect,"
"confident," "project," provide "guidance" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date the
statement was made.
Contact: David Conn
Executive Vice President
Iconix Brand Group
212.730.0030
Joseph Teklits
Integrated Corporate Relations
203.682.8200
SOURCE Iconix Brand Group, Inc.
-0- 11/15/2007
/CONTACT: David Conn, Executive Vice President of Iconix Brand Group,
+1-212-730-0030; or Joseph Teklits of Integrated Corporate Relations,
+1-203-682-8200, for Iconix Brand Group, Inc./
/Web site: http://iconixbrand.com/ /
(ICON NKE)
CO: Iconix Brand Group, Inc.; NIKE, Inc.; Starter
ST: New York
IN: REA
SU: TNM
MD-AL
-- NYTH067 --
1586 11/15/2007 07:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com