CEO Jason Rabin Leads Management Buyout of Centric Brands, Takes Majority Stake

CEO Jason Rabin Takes Ownership of Centric Brands Along With Group President Jarrod Kahn 
and New Partners Axar Capital, M-Cor Capital, and MSP Sports Capital

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Centric Brands (the "Company"), a leading global lifestyle brand portfolio, today announced the completion of a sale of the Company to CEO Jason Rabin and a new investor group comprised of Axar Capital Management, M-Cor Capital, LLC, MSP Sports Capital, and Jarrod Kahn, Centric Brands Group President. Rabin takes a majority stake in the Company as Centric enters its next phase; each of the new partners brings complementary expertise and new opportunities to the business. Centric's current management team will continue to lead the Company, with Rabin remaining Chief Executive Officer.

Building on a period of sustained growth, Centric will continue expanding into new brands, products, and categories while further investing in its best-in-class global operations. Centric has invested more than $25 million in its agile global sourcing operation, leveraging its scale to achieve efficiency and deliver the best product. In addition, the Company has invested in distribution centers totaling 2.7 million square feet across California and New Jersey, and is currently rolling out Centric IQ, its internal AI platform, across its global teams.

"I'm excited to work with a new investor group to lead the company into its next phase," said Jason Rabin, Chief Executive Officer of Centric. "We'll continue expanding our brand portfolio, deepening our global operational capabilities, and delivering for our retail and licensing partners."

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work with Jason as we drive towards his long-term global vision. We are incredibly optimistic about the future of Centric Brands." said Jarrod Kahn, Group President of Centric Brands.

Centric will continue to innovate and scale through its three-platform business model:

• Centric Powered, its operating engine, which runs the business end to end for brand owners, handling brand building, design, manufacturing, distribution, support, and brand protection to drive scale.
• Centric Ventures, its partnership platform, which partners with founders to build and scale businesses, allowing them to focus on voice, vision, and creative direction while Centric takes on financial support, operations, and backend infrastructure.
• Centric Collective, its ownership engine, which acquires and manages brand IP to build long-term value.

"We look for exceptional leadership teams with the infrastructure to win over the long term, and Centric has both," said Jeff Moorad, CEO of MSP Sports Capital. "Jason and the Centric team have built a platform with the scale, strategy, and operating discipline to keep growing across brands, categories, and markets. We are proud to join them as partners, particularly as the company continues to grow on the sports side."

Centric said this next chapter will build on the scale, talent, and culture it has spent nearly a decade establishing. That includes continued investment in its people and operations. Centric employs over 2,600 people across 26 offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, including 18 offices across 8 countries in Asia, where continued investment is deepening its footprint in the region, following the Company's successful build-out across Europe. Its portfolio spans more than 100 licensed and owned brands, including Calvin Klein, Coach, Dockers, Faherty, Favorite Daughter, Gap, Joe's Jeans, Michael Kors, Off-White, Quiksilver, Tommy Hilfiger, UGG, and Under Armour, as well as entertainment brands including Disney, Marvel, Paramount, and Universal.

"It has been a pleasure and an honor to work alongside Jason, Jarrod, and the entire Centric team over the last five years. The way they engage with their retail partners, licensors, suppliers, and employees is truly best-in-class in this industry. I wish them continued success as they begin this next chapter," said Marc Schneider, outgoing Chairperson of the Board of Centric Brands. 

Jefferies LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor and Pryor Cashman LLP acted as legal counsel to management, Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to Axar Capital Management, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acted as legal counsel to M-Cor Capital, LLC and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP served as legal counsel to MSP Sports Capital in connection with the transaction. Solomon Partners acted as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel to the seller group in connection with the transaction.

Link To Download Jason Rabin Headshot: WETRANSFER (courtesy of Centric Brands)

About Centric Brands
Centric Brands is a leading global lifestyle brand portfolio managing more than 100 licensed and owned brands, and a leader in men's, women's, and kids' apparel, accessories, and beauty. The Company's portfolio includes Calvin Klein, Coach, Dockers, Faherty, Favorite Daughter, Gap, Joe's Jeans, Michael Kors, Off-White, Quiksilver, Tommy Hilfiger, UGG, and Under Armour, among others, as well as entertainment brands including Disney, Marvel, Paramount, and Universal. With operations spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, Centric brings expertise across product design, sourcing, retail, standalone retail operations, and digital commerce. Centric Cares, the Company's philanthropy platform, has donated more than 11,600 hours of volunteerism and millions of dollars in monetary and product donations to charities around the world.

About Jason Rabin
Jason Rabin is the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Centric Brands, Inc., a leading global lifestyle brand portfolio with more than 100 brand partners and 2,600 employees worldwide. He has held both roles since the company's founding in October 2018.

As CEO, Jason sets the strategy, culture, and vision for the multi-billion-dollar company. He has built Centric into a powerful brand partner with best-in-class capabilities across sourcing, supply chain, operations, distribution, category expansion, and more, amplifying a brand's strength, accelerating its momentum, and reducing friction for brands and their consumers.

That model has produced joint ventures with founder-led brands, successful relaunches of heritage labels, and licensing relationships spanning decades. Jason's view is that none of it happens without investing in people first, which is a core part of the company's philosophy and culture. His goal is for Centric to be a place where people build meaningful careers, not just hold jobs, an ambition reflected in the tenure across his team.

Jason serves on the boards of Ronald McDonald House and Delivering Good, Inc., and holds a BBA from the University of Miami Herbert Business School.

About Jarrod Kahn 
Jarrod Kahn has served as Group President of Accessories at Centric Brands since October 2018, overseeing a diverse portfolio. With more than three decades of experience in the fashion industry, he has built and expanded accessories businesses for some of the world's most recognized brands through strategic licensing partnerships with Calvin Klein, Coach, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Donna Karan, Cole Haan, and Lacoste.

Throughout his career, Jarrod has demonstrated expertise in brand development, licensing partnerships, and business expansion. Prior to joining Centric Brands, he served as President of Accessories, Socks & Home at Global Brands Group from 2010 to 2018. He began his career at Cipriani Accessories, where he rose through the organization over nearly two decades to become CEO. 

Jarrod holds a B.S. in Communications from Northeastern University. He has served on the boards of the Accessories Council and the National Center for Learning Disabilities and is a longtime member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO). 

About Axar Capital
Axar Capital Management LP, founded in 2015, is an opportunistic credit investment firm focused on complex, special situations in the U.S. middle market. The firm originates and structures tailored capital solutions through a disciplined, hands-on approach, actively engaging with portfolio companies to drive value creation and long-term growth. Axar's investment strategy combines deep fundamental analysis, rigorous risk management, and active asset management to unlock value and deliver differentiated, high-conviction investment solutions.

About MSP Sports Capital
MSP Sports Capital is a global private equity firm that invests in teams, leagues, and other businesses in the sports ecosystem. The firm pursues influential positions in mature sports companies and focuses on creating value and driving differentiated returns. MSP Sports Capital was founded by veteran investor-operators Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad, whose expertise spans the world's largest sports leagues, including MLB, NBA, NFL, F1, and European football. MSP Sports Capital is headquartered in New York. For more information, visit www.MSPsportscapital.com. 

SOURCE Centric Brands Inc.