NFL football helmets are seen on display in Tampa, Florida, U.S., February 3, 2021. REUTERS/Eve Edelheit/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 6 (Reuters) - U.S. maker of football helmets and gear Riddell is exploring a sale, the company told Reuters, in a deal that could value it at around $800 million, people familiar with the matter said. Riddell was founded in 1929 by John T. Riddell who invented gear such as removable football cleats and plastic helmet shells. Fenway Partners acquired Riddell Sports Group in 2003 and combined it with Bell Sports in 2004. In 2014, Fenway again changed the company's name to BRG Sports for its core Bell, Riddell and Giro brands and sold its Easton baseball and softball business to Bauer Performance Sports.

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Persons: Eve Edelheit, Riddell, Robert W, Baird, John T, Abigail Summerville, Rod Nickel Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, National Football League, UBS Group, Co, Fenway Partners, Riddell Sports Group, Bell Sports, Easton Sports, Fenway, Sports, Bell, Giro, Easton, Bauer Performance Sports, Vista, Blackburn, BRG Sports, Marucci Sports, Fox Factory Holding, Thomson Locations: Tampa , Florida, U.S, Easton, Bell, New York