Authentic Brands Group Inc. is nearing a deal to pay about $1.3 billion for the parent of Quiksilver and Billabong surfwear brands, Bloomberg News reported. A deal for Boardriders Inc. could be announced as soon as this week. No final decision has been made and discussions could fall through. Boardriders, which also owns the Roxy brand, is controlled by Oaktree Capital Management. Oaktree, which specializes in distressed or troubled companies, acquired Boardriders — then known as Quiksilver — when it emerged from bankruptcy in 2016. Two years later it bought competitor Billabong. Authentic Brands, led by Chief Executive Officer Jamie Salter, is one of the most acquisitive companies in the consumer and retail sector. The deal would add to the company’s stable of dozens of well-known brands, including Reebok, Brooks Brothers and Eddie Bauer.
