Puma
German sportswear brand founded in 1948. Anta Sports agreed to acquire a 29% controlling stake in January 2026 — deal pending regulatory close.
Background
PUMA SE was founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler — brother of Adidas founder Adolf Dassler. In January 2026, Groupe Artemis (Pinault family, owners of Kering/Gucci) agreed to sell its 29.06% stake to Anta Sports for €1.5 billion, making Anta the new largest shareholder and effective controlling entity.
Parent Entity & Ownership
At 29%, Anta's stake sits in the 25–49% Chinese-controlled range. Anta has stated it intends to seek supervisory board representation without launching a full takeover bid. This extends Anta's portfolio of Western sports brands alongside its 44.5% controlling stake in Amer Sports (Arc'teryx, Salomon).
Controversies
Chinese consolidation of Western sportswear. Combined with Amer Sports, Anta now has effective influence over four globally recognised non-Chinese sports brands. Strategic supply chain and brand direction decisions for multiple premium European brands are increasingly made by an entity whose primary market interests lie in China.
German foreign investment screening. The deal is subject to Germany's Außenwirtschaftsgesetz foreign investment framework, which can trigger government review of acquisitions affecting public order. No formal block has been announced but the outcome is pending.
Puma is classified as Chinese-controlled on the basis of Anta's agreed 29.06% stake acquisition — the largest single shareholding in PUMA SE. The deal is substantially cleared but not yet formally closed. Combined with Anta's control of Amer Sports, this positions a Chinese sportswear company as the dominant strategic influence across a significant share of the global premium sports brand landscape.
Sources
Explore Alternatives — Sportswear
Brands with no verified Chinese ownership or control.