Drake’s OVO is reportedly in talks to sell a 50 percent stake in its apparel business to Authentic Brands Group, a move that could place the owl logo inside one of the biggest licensing networks in fashion and entertainment. October’s Very Own, the brand Drake co-founded with Oliver El-Khatib and Noah “40” Shebib, is in the process of selling half of the company to Authentic, though the timing and terms of the reported deal remain unclear.
That buyer matters. Authentic Brands Group’s portfolio spans more than 50 brands and drives over $36 billion in annual systemwide retail sales through more than 1,700 licensing partners across 150 countries. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Sports Illustrated, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, GUESS, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Quiksilver, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry, Hunter, and Dockers.
For OVO, the play is obvious: scale without having to build every lane from scratch. OVO’s apparel business is largely built around logo-driven staples, including $62 tees and $162 hoodies, and said a partnership with Authentic could open broader licensing opportunities. A deal with Authentic could provide additional licensing opportunities for OVO.
That could benefit Drake in a few ways. Authentic’s model centers on owning intellectual property and licensing brands through outside partners, which means OVO could potentially expand into more categories, more retail channels, and more global markets while keeping the cultural identity that made the owl valuable in the first place. Authentic describes itself as a digital-first, asset-light platform that brings brands to life through storytelling, content, live experiences, and licensing partnerships.
The money question is where things get tricky. No sale price has been reported. However, Boardroom reported in 2023 that OVO Clothing brings in more than $50 million in sales each year.
Because the reported deal is for 50 percent, the math depends entirely on OVO’s valuation. If the company were valued at $100 million, half would equal $50 million before taxes, fees, and any ownership splits. At a $200 million valuation, the 50 percent stake would equal $100 million. At $300 million, it would equal $150 million. Those are not reported deal numbers, just straight valuation math based on the size of the stake.
Either way, the signal is loud. OVO may already be a recognizable streetwear name, but pairing with Authentic would put Drake’s brand inside a licensing machine built to stretch logos, estates, and cultural IP across the globe.
