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African-American comedian and entrepreneur Kevin Hart has become a shareholder in Authentic Brands Group, a global sport, media, entertainment, and lifestyle platform generating $32 billion in annual systemwide retail sales.
This comes as Hart enters a strategic partnership with Authentic, giving him co-ownership and management of the Kevin Hart brand while leveraging Authentic’s infrastructure to expand across new markets and product categories.
Authentic expands IP portfolio with Kevin Hart
Authentic, which owns more than 50 consumer brands and the likeness rights of iconic figures such as Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, and Marilyn Monroe is the world’s leading owner of sports, entertainment, and lifestyle intellectual property.
Its portfolio spans Reebok, Champion, David Beckham, Shaquille O’Neal, Sports Illustrated, Aéropostale, Nautica, Dockers, Juicy Couture, and Sperry, among others. Recent acquisitions include Champion for $1.2 billion from Hanesbrands in June 2024 and Dockers from Levi Strauss for $311 million in May 2025.
“This partnership is about growth and diversification,” Hart said. “I’ve spent years building businesses and creating opportunities, and joining Authentic gives me the global platform to take my brand further. Becoming a shareholder lets me co-own some of the most recognizable intellectual property in the world while shaping the Hart brand for generations to come.”
Kevin Hart’s ventures span media, fitness
Kevin Hart’s career spans films, global tours, streaming content, consumer products, and fitness ventures. He commands a social media following of 292 million and has built successful ventures including Hartbeat Productions, Gran Coramino, and Fabletics.
“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.”
Salter added, “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.”
Hart grows ventures, nears billionaire status
The move adds another chapter to Hart’s business journey. The comedian earned $108 million in 2024 and continues to grow his ventures, including Hartbeat Ventures, which led a $35 million Series B investment in Simple, an AI-powered health coaching app, in October 2025.
With the latest partnership with Authentic, Hart joins other global figures such as David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal and is positioning himself toward billionaire status, building a diversified business empire worth hundreds of millions.
