Globally recognized comedian, actor, producer and entrepreneur Kevin Hart has announced a strategic partnership with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), a global sports, media, entertainment and lifestyle platform. Through the agreement, Hart and Authentic will co-own and manage the Kevin Hart brand, scaling it across new verticals and markets through Authentic’s innovative brand platform.
Hart also becomes a shareholder in Authentic, whose brand portfolio spans more than 50 brands, reaches nearly one billion social media followers and generates $32 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide.
“This partnership is about acceleration, growth and diversification. I’ve spent years building businesses and creating opportunities, and joining Authentic gives me the platform and global infrastructure to take my brand to the next level,” Hart said. “Becoming a shareholder allows me to co-own some of the most recognizable IP of all time while building my own brand legacy. I want the Hart name to live on for generations to come and be something that my grandkids and their grandkids will be able to be proud of.”
Hart is a global entertainer and business mogul. His expansive career includes blockbuster films, global tours, streaming platforms, consumer products, fitness partnerships and more, supported by an audience of 292 million social media followers worldwide. Hart’s portfolio includes, but is not limited to, successful ventures such as Hartbeat Productions, Gran Coramino, Fabletics and other category-defining businesses that reflect his creative and commercial range.
“Kevin is one of the most dynamic entertainers and entrepreneurs of our time,” said Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Authentic. “His creative vision, business instincts and cultural impact are unmatched. Kevin sees what we see: the power of brand ownership and the opportunity to build a global, long-term business. His investment in Authentic also reflects our mutual confidence and shared vision for that growth.”
Corey Salter, President of Entertainment and International at Authentic, added, “Our strategy has always been to partner with visionary leaders who are building brands with long-term global relevance. Kevin represents the future of entertainment-driven IP, and together we will expand his brand across new categories and geographies, strengthening the entire Authentic network.”
The partnership marks another meaningful milestone for Authentic as it continues to build one of the world’s most powerful IP ecosystems, fueled by content, culture and a globally connected partner network. Hart joins a roster of globally influential partners across sports, culture and entertainment, including David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal. Together, Authentic and Hart will expand the eponymous Kevin Hart brand across consumer products, state-of-the-art digital platforms, collaborations and live experiences.
About Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart has made a name for himself as the hardest-working comedian, entrepreneur, producer, actor, and is a global box office powerhouse. Hart has earned both Emmy and Grammy nominations, and his films have grossed more than $4.23 billion in global revenue. In 2024, Hart received the Kennedy Center’s annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy. Hart is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hartbeat, a global multi-platform media company and the Founder of HartBeat Ventures. Hart’s authentic approach to sharing life’s everyday moments with humor and heart has earned him a devoted global audience and social media fanbase, which have translated into loyal customers across his various business ventures. Hart is a founding partner in three companies: the premium tequila brand Gran Coramino, the nutritional wellness brand VitaHustle and the premium dog food company Hartfelt. Hart’s brand partnerships include Qatar Airways, Fabletics, Netflix, NBCUniversal, JPMorganChase, DraftKings, Verizon, SharkNinja and C4 Energy. As a strategic partner with Authentic, he co-owns and manages the Kevin Hart brand and holds an ownership stake in the company.
About Authentic Brands Group
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a leading sports, media, entertainment and lifestyle platform. As the owner of some of the most iconic and beloved intellectual property in the world, Authentic acquires and invests in brands to create long-term value for all of its stakeholders. A digital-first, asset-light platform, Authentic sits at the intersection of culture, commerce and technology. It brings brands to life and cultivates fandom through powerful storytelling, premium content and unforgettable live experiences. Together with nearly 2,000 best-in-class licensing partners across 150 countries and an expansive distribution network, Authentic’s brands drive more than $32 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide.
Authentic’s diversified portfolio spans more than 50 brands and reaches nearly one billion social media followers. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Hart Schaffner Marx, Vince, Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry and Hunter.
For more information, visit authentic.com. Follow Authentic on LinkedIn, Instagram and WeChat.
