Wilson Tennis Racket Manufacturer Files for $1 Billion IPO, Eyes $10 Billion Valuation

Amer Sports Inc., the renowned maker of Wilson tennis rackets and Salomon ski boots, has officially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. The company intends to raise over $1 billion through the IPO, which could potentially value the firm at an impressive $10 billion.

Notably, Amer Sports is backed by China's most prominent athletic apparel producer, Anta Sports Products Ltd., and has garnered significant attention in the sports equipment industry.

Key Lead Managers Chosen

Amer Sports announced the selection of renowned financial institutions Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Morgan Stanley as bookrunning lead managers of the share sale.

According to Bloomberg, Amer Sports plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AS.

With over 10,800 employees worldwide, Amer Sports operates offices in Helsinki, Munich, Krakow, and Shanghai. Reuters noted that this global presence contributes to the company's ability to capture diverse market demographics and cater to the needs of athletes and sports enthusiasts across continents.

Retail Expansion and Growth Prospects

Originating in Finland, Amer Sports boasts an impressive portfolio of globally recognized brands. In addition to Wilson, Salomon, and Louisville Slugger, the company owns Arc'teryx outdoor gear and Atomic winter equipment. This diverse range positions Amer Sports as a significant player in multiple sports equipment sectors, further contributing to its anticipated market valuation.

Amer Sports has strategically expanded its retail footprint, operating 138 Arc'teryx stores, 114 Salomon stores, and nine Wilson-owned stores as of September 30. Additionally, the company has identified Greater China as a region of substantial growth.

With nearly one-fifth of its total revenue generated in the first nine months of 2023 from this region, Amer Sports continues to scale its presence by opening more stores and enhancing its e-commerce platform.

Financial Overview

According to the IPO filing, Amer Sports reported a net loss of approximately $115.6 million on revenue of $3.05 billion for the nine months ending September 30. The company estimates a collective market opportunity across its brands of around $522 billion based on 2022 data.

In 2019, Amer Sports underwent an acquisition by a consortium led by Anta, which acquired the company for approximately $5.2 billion. The consortium consisted of Anta Sports Products Ltd., Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Chip Wilson, the billionaire founder of yoga-apparel retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc.

Photo: PR Newswire