WWE and Authentic Brands Group, LLC announced a joint venture for Tapout, a newly repositioned fitness lifestyle brand. Tapout is now the official fitness and training partner of WWE, and will be integrated across WWE’s global platforms including TV programming, WWE Network, pay-per-view broadcasts, live events, digital, and social media.
“Tapout was ABG’s first acquisition and it continues to be a global brand with strong sales and blue chip partners all over the world,” said Jamie Salter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ABG. “We have a very strong commitment to the brand’s ongoing success. WWE is a media and entertainment force and we are excited to partner with them on Tapout’s future growth.”
“WWE is always looking for new opportunities to partner with best-in-class organizations, develop new products for our fans and drive shareholder value,” said Vince McMahon,Chairman & CEO for WWE, the publicly traded owner of the WWE Network, a 24/7 entertainment network available to 650 million viewers worldwide. “This joint venture aligns with our strategic approach, and we look forward to building the Tapout brand.”
As part of this strategic partnership, WWE will create new content featuring its Superstars and Divas in Tapout apparel and market the brand across all platforms. Tapout branding will also be featured at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, and all performers, trainers, and staff will be outfitted in Tapout workout apparel.
“WWE’s expansive reach provides a global platform to broaden Tapout’s presence and consumer base,” said Nick Woodhouse, President and Chief Marketing Officer of ABG. “This is a powerhouse pairing given the synergy between Tapout’s brand promise to be the premiere hard-body fitness brand, and WWE’s commitment to training and fitness.”
“Combining ABG’s strengths in retail brand development, licensing and distribution with WWE’s marketing expertise, global reach and passionate fan base, makes for a powerful partnership,” said Michelle D. Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer. “The Tapout brand will enable us to expand into new product categories and further grow our current $1 billion consumer product retail business.”
The next generation of Tapout preserves the original brand essence and drives a hard-body, fitness-centric message positioned around motivation, discipline and determination. An all new line of men’s and women’s performance apparel and accessories will launch at retail in Spring 2016. New Tapout branding and packaging will roll out in key categories throughout 2015 starting with beverages, supplements and fitness centers.
WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 35 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all 12 live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 170 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich, and Tokyo.
Headquartered in New York City and backed by Leonard Green & Partners, ABG acquires and manages prominent consumer brands, often by partnering with best-in-class licensees and direct-to-retail partnerships. Other ABG brands include Muhammad Ali, Spyder, Airwalk, Above The Rim, Vision Street Wear, Hind and Sportcraft.
