Two brand management firms that already boast portfolios populated with household-name apparel brands are interested in buying Champion.

In an exclusive, CNBC reported on Wednesday, Nov. 1, that WHP Global and Authentic Brands Group are both keen on acquiring the sportswear line from HanesBrands (asi/59528), the North Carolina-headquartered vertically integrated maker of apparel basics that currently owns Champion.

HanesBrands announced in September that it was undertaking a strategic evaluation of its global Champion business – considering, among other alternatives, whether to sell the iconic brand.

The apparel company emphasized that the strategic review isn’t a guarantee it will sell the line or take another major action.

Still, HanesBrands has “seen wide interest in acquiring Champion from a mix of buyers, including WHP and Authentic Brands,” CNBC reported. “Interested potential buyers include strategics and sponsors.”

Headquartered in New York City and private equity-owned, Authentic Brands Group’s portfolio includes Aeropostale, Bandolino, Billabong, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Izod, and Van Heusen.

Also headquartered in New York City, WHP Global’s portfolio has apparel/accessory lines such as Anne Klein, Joseph Abboud, Bonobos, Lotto and Isaac Mizrahi.

A deal cementing a sale of Champion reportedly isn’t imminent. Champion products, along with other HanesBrands apparel, sells extensively in the North American promotional products market.

It’s unclear what Champion’s presence in promo might be if a sale were to occur, but HanesBrands’ chairman of the board has previously said, “we are committed to working with our advisors to identify the right path forward that enables both Champion and HanesBrands to reach their fullest potential.”

CEO Steve Bratspies has asserted that his team “remains focused on executing across our operations, continuing to serve our customers and consumers globally and advancing our initiatives to drive revenue growth, margin improvement and greater cash flow.”

HanesBrands has been considering options for Champion amid pressure from activist investor Barington Capital Group, which over the summer called on the clothing company to slash costs and beef up cash as its financial performance weakens.

During the second quarter of 2023, which concluded at the end of June, HanesBrands’ total global sales fell 5% compared to the same quarter in 2022, to $1.44 billion. Meanwhile, gross profit dropped nearly 16% to $483 million, and the quarter ended with a loss of $22 million, or -$0.06 per diluted share.

Champion, in particular, reportedly didn’t fare well during Q2, with sales dropping 16% overall, 25% in the U.S.

In 2022, HanesBrands’ full-year total global sales declined 8.3% year over year to $6.23 billion. Gross profit plummeted more than 16% to $2.22 billion. For the year, HanesBrands posted an after-tax loss of $127.2 million, or -$0.36 per share.

HanesBrands, a publicly traded company, is scheduled to report third-quarter financial performance on Nov. 9.