Anta Sports closes deal to become Puma's largest shareholder

· Retail & E-commerce · Germany · China

Anta Sports has finalized its acquisition of a roughly 29 percent stake in Puma for about $1.7 billion, making the Chinese sportswear group the German athletics brand's largest shareholder. The deal closes a period of speculation over Puma's ownership and gives Anta a major position in a global sneaker and apparel competitor alongside Nike, Adidas and others. Puma has struggled with weak sales and profit pressure in recent seasons, and investor attention now turns to whether Anta will push for operational changes or board influence. For the wider sportswear market, the move adds a well-capitalized Chinese player with deep domestic manufacturing, retail and brand-management experience to Puma's shareholder base, a shift that could reshape competition in footwear and apparel worldwide.

Why it matters：A Chinese sportswear leader taking the largest stake in a global European brand is a significant cross-border retail investment that could reshape competition in the worldwide activewear market.

Key points

  • Anta's stake is roughly 29% of Puma, acquired for about $1.7 billion.
  • The deal makes Anta Puma's largest single shareholder.
  • Puma has faced weak financial performance in recent seasons.

Sources (original reporting)

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