Jamie Salter Buys TapouT, Silver Star and Hitman Fight Gear
In his last gig, Jamie Salter snapped up Linens ‘n Things Inc., Polaroid Corp. and other household names. With his new acquisition, he’ll peddle cage- fighting T-shirts and "Expression of Combat" school folders.
Salter, 47, has agreed to buy three brands that cater to fans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the mixed martial arts network that attracts millions of viewers each year to pay- per-view bouts that take place in a cage called the "Octagon."
Salter’s Toronto-based Authentic Brands Group LLC is betting the three labels -- TapouT, Silver Star Casting Co. and Hitman Fight Gear -- are ripe for expansion as mixed martial arts tightens its grip on the mainstream. J.C. Penney Co., Kohl’s Corp. and Macy’s Inc. already sell some of the gear, and the new owners and founders are looking to add sales both at home and overseas.
Seeing all three brands under one umbrella is pretty impressive. Salter’s experience in the business world may mean the expansion of the availability of the brands. It does sound like Salter is not going to make the mistake of getting rid of those who have a familiarity with the market as the TapouT founders will remain on board for the foreseeable future.
The power of all three brands under the same roof may also cut off a little of the power that the UFC holds over these companies to not sponsor fighters in competing organizations. This is now a huge company that the UFC may need just as badly as vice versa.
