The maker of Riddell helmets and other equipment for the National Football League as well as the National Hockey League, Easton-Bell Sports is being sold off by its private equity owner. The deal is expected to reach the US$900 million range, according to three individuals familiar with the transaction who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The owner of Easton-Bell, Fenway Partners is now in the process of finalizing the financial advisers for the transaction. Easton-Bell is based out of Van Nuys, California and has several brands under its name, such as Easton, Bell, Ridell, Giro, Easton Cycling and Blackburn. For 2012, the company generated net sales of US$872.2 million.
There are issues though with the brand, as a recent ruling by a Colorado judge said that the Ridell brand helmets had not sufficiently warned its user about the dangers of potential concussions. In that case, Riddell was ordered to pay several million dollars as damages to the complainant who may have suffered brain damage from a concussion during a high school football game back in 2008.
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