ICONIX BRAND GROUP, INC. AND G-III SPORTS EXTEND THEIR LONGSTANDING LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR STARTER – THE ICONIC PREMIUM ATHLETIC BRAND
New York, New York – January 22, 2019 – Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and G-III Sports are extending their longstanding licensing agreement for STARTER, the iconic premium athletic brand. The deal includes both STARTER Black Label and all co-branded STARTER collections and extends the current agreement for a five-year contract with an additional five-year renewal, effective January 1, 2019. Iconix and G-III have collaborated on Starter since 2012.
Under the new agreement, Iconix and G-III will work together on the design, development and marketing of both STARTER Black Label and all co-branded STARTER product lines for major professional and college sports leagues including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and NCAA. Additionally, STARTER will be returning to the football field through a new partnership with The Alliance of American Football (AAF), a professional football league debuting February 9, 2019. STARTER will be the official on-field apparel and game day uniform supplier for all eight Alliance teams in the newly formed league.
In addition to co-branded sports apparel, the G-III and Iconix partnership also extends to STARTER Black Label, a premium lifestyle brand extension, focusing on a fashion-forward collection of logo branded apparel and accessories. STARTER Black Label regularly releases collaborations with high-end streetwear designers, global fashion labels and various creative partners.
STARTER’s co-branded collections and the STARTER Black Label line are available at a wide range of retail partners including SIX:02, Fanatics, Pac Sun, Urban Outfitters, top specialty stores and Macy’s, among others.
“I first started working with STARTER in 1985 as a brand ambassador, while playing for the New York Giants,” said Carl Banks, President of G-III Sports and two-time Super Bowl champion. “The STARTER brand has always represented the convergence of sports, culture and fashion, which paved the way for many brands. G-III Sports looks forward to extending our ongoing partnership with Iconix Brand Group to continue introducing the STARTER brand to a new generation of fans.”
“G-III Sports is the perfect partner to help Iconix further grow and maximize the STARTER brand,” said Robert Galvin, chief executive officer, president and a member of the board of directors at Iconix Brand Group, Inc. “STARTER has been part of the sports and fashion landscape for almost five decades and extending our relationship with G-III Sports will allow us to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for retro brands.”
Established in 1971, STARTER is one of the most iconic global sports brands in history. The brand pioneered the fusion of sports clothing with popular culture, including logo apparel, and continues to produce apparel that honors its heritage and emphasizes quality and style.
About STARTER
STARTER, a premium athletic brand established in 1971 and owned by Iconix Brand Group, pioneered the fusion of sports clothing with popular culture by forging partnerships with the major professional basketball, football, baseball and hockey leagues. STARTER launched STARTER Black Label in 2012 as a premium lifestyle brand extension focusing on a fashion-forward collection of logo branded apparel and accessories. Shortly after, STARTER re-launched the legendary STARTER jacket, quickly becoming a wardrobe staple for sports fans, athletes and entertainers to express their team pride and street style. In addition to Pro and NCAA outerwear, Starter expanded its NCAA collection to include apparel and headwear categories for more than 120 top NCAA programs. Starter continues to produce the iconic satin jacket, in addition to expanded apparel offerings, including an exclusive line available on Amazon.com. For more information, please visit Starter.com.
About G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.
G-III designs, sources and markets apparel and accessories under owned, licensed and private label brands. G-III’s owned brands include DKNY, Donna Karan, Vilebrequin, G. H. Bass, Andrew Marc, Marc New York, Eliza J and Jessica Howard. G-III has fashion licenses under the Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Guess?, Vince Camuto, Levi’s and Dockers brands. Through our team sports business, G-III has licenses with the National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, and over 150 U.S. colleges and universities. G-III also operates retail stores under the DKNY, Wilsons Leather, G. H. Bass, Vilebrequin, Karl Lagerfeld Paris and Calvin Klein Performance names.
About Iconix Brand Group, Inc.
Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including: CANDIE’S ®, BONGO ®, JOE BOXER ®, RAMPAGE ®, MUDD ®, MOSSIMO ®, LONDON FOG ®, OCEAN PACIFIC ®, DANSKIN ®, ROCAWEAR ®, CANNON ®, ROYAL VELVET ®, FIELDCREST ®, CHARISMA ®, STARTER ®, WAVERLY ®, ZOO YORK ®, UMBRO ®, LEE COOPER ®, ECKO UNLTD. ®, MARC ECKO ®and ARTFUL DODGER ®. In addition, Iconix owns interests in the MATERIAL GIRL ®, ED HARDY ®, MODERN AMUSEMENT ®, BUFFALO ®, HYDRAULIC ®, and PONY ® brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments, Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
PRESS CONTACTS
Melissa Pastore
Iconix Brand Group
mpastore@iconixbrand.com
Sarah Cirkiel Gladstone
G-III Sports
sarah@the-offense.com