The Reebok owner has appointed former Wynn Resorts chief Matt Maddox as CEO, with founder Jamie Salter moving to executive chairman and indicating a renewed push toward an initial public offering.
Authentic Brands Group (ABG) has appointed Matt Maddox — former chief executive of Wynn Resorts, a Nasdaq-listed company with a near $10 billion (bn) market cap — as President and Chief Executive Officer. Founder Jamie Salter moves to Executive Chairman, telling CNBC he expects ABG to go public “sometime in the next 12 months.” Maddox joined ABG as president in January 2025 and now takes on full operational leadership, reporting to Salter and joining the Board of Directors.
ABG has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) twice before, withdrawing both times after private equity buyers arrived at higher valuations. At $38bn in systemwide retail sales, more than 50 brands, 1,700 licensing partners across 150 countries, and close to one billion social media followers, the company has likely outgrown that exit route.
Maddox brings the financial reporting credentials and shareholder communication experience that institutional investors demand. Salter built ABG through deal-making; Maddox is tasked with running the machine once the cameras are on. Salter will stay focused on mergers and acquisitions, global partnerships, and long-term strategy. His stated ambition — a $100bn company within five years — requires undivided attention on the deal side, not day-to-day operations.
