---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001760965-26-000035"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "KTB"
cik: "0001760965"
company_name: "Kontoor Brands, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-05-21T20:49:21+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-21T20:57:48.902827+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Kontoor Brands to sell Lee business to Authentic Brands Group for up to $1B

## Summary
- Sells Lee for $750M cash at close plus up to $250M earnout over five years; transaction unanimously approved by board.
- Expected close in H2 2026 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
- Proceeds to be used for debt reduction and increased share repurchases under existing $750M authorization.
- Portfolio sharpened to focus on Wrangler and Helly Hansen, targeting higher-growth segments.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001760965-26-000035
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: KTB
- cik: 0001760965
- company_name: Kontoor Brands, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-05-21T20:49:21+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1760965/000176096526000035/0001760965-26-000035-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1760965/000176096526000035/ktb-20260520.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001760965-26-000035
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001760965-26-000035.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001760965-26-000035.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.