Authentic Brands enters partnership with "Dr. J" Julius Erving

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Sep 28, 2016

Authentic Brands Group announced on Tuesday a new strategic partnership with NBA legend and Hall of Famer Julius Erving. ABG will collaborate with Erving on the development and global expansion of the Dr. J brand as well as strategic collaborations and long-term partnerships.

 
“Dr. J” Julius Erving was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 after having a stellar career that influenced many NBA All Stars from the 80s and early 90s. Erving was an All-Star in each season of his 11-year NBA career and he won the NBA Championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983. Dr. J was named NBA MVP in 1981 and retired in 1987 as the third highest scorer in the league behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain. Erving is also considered to have been the main catalyst for the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, and in his years with the ABA, he won two league championships, three scoring titles, and three MVP awards.
 
“Dr. J was the first basketball player to be connected with global consumer brands,” said Nick Woodhouse, President and Chief Marketing Officer of ABG. “His most notable endorsements span Coca-Cola to Colgate to Converse. We are excited to pick up that mantle and continue his legacy in consumer brands as well as foraying into luxury, travel and corporate sponsorships.”

Erving is the second NBA Hall of Famer and active Celebrity & Entertainment brand to be owned and represented by ABG joining Shaquille O’Neal who joined forces with the company in December 2015.

The Authentic Brands Group portfolio also includes Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali and Marilyn Monroe, and fashion brands Juicy Couture, Hickey Freeman, Tretorn, Spyder and recently Aéropostale.