Published Sep 07, 2023 03:57PM ET
© Reuters.
By Abigail Summerville, Echo Wang and Anirban Sen
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New Era Cap LLC, a supplier of major U.S. sports league headware, has kicked off preparations for an initial public offering (IPO) in New York that could value it at $4 billion to $5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
New Era, which makes caps affiliated with the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Basketball Association (NBA), has invited investment banks and law firms to pitch this month for roles in its stock market debut, the sources said.
The company, which is controlled by its founding family and in which private equity firm ACON Investments holds a significant minority stake, aims to go public in 2024, the sources said. MLB, the NFL and the NBA hold minority stakes in New Era.
The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) may reach or surpass $300 million in 2023, the sources added.
The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential.
Kevin R. Wilson, executive vice president and chief financial officer of New Era, said the company “is always considering alternatives to position the company financially for future growth, but we have no strategic plans to share at this time. We don’t comment on speculation,” .
An ACON spokesperson said the firm continually evaluates “all strategic alternatives” for New Era but declined to comment specifically on the IPO plans.
The IPO market is heating up following an arid spell that lasted close to a year and a half. Chip designer Arm Holdings Ltd, grocery delivery service Instacart and marketing automation platform Klaviyo are among companies working on multibillion-dollar offerings expected this month.
New Era was started in 1920 in Buffalo, New York, by German-American businessman Ehrhardt Koch, who borrowed $5,000 from his aunt to launch a business focused on making men’s fitted caps, known as Gatsby or Ivy League caps, that would match men’s suits.
The company is now led by Chris Koch, the fourth-generation scion of the family. He recently delegated day-to-day operations to his lieutenants, Jim Grundtisch and Jim Patterson.
New Era’s flagship 59FIFTY cap is donned often by celebrities on runways and red carpets. It was launched in 1954 and customized for select teams in MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
New Era’s apparel products are currently sold in over 1,000 retail stores worldwide in more than 125 countries, according to the company.
Last year, ACON Investments increased its ownership stake in New Era and launched a $700 million “continuation” fund for investors that are keen to join it.
Separately, Chris Koch told Bloomberg News on Thursday that New Era had secured a $600 million refinancing loan from banks.
Exclusive-U.S. sports league caps maker New Era prepares for IPO-sources
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer