It’s hard to get more newsworthy than changing hands by the most prominent players on the market. In an official statement, ANTA has reported an agreed-upon deal to purchase shares equivalent to 29% of PUMA for a sum of €1.5 billion.
2025 was a particular flare-up in what’s, charitably, been a few quarters of financial hardship for the Big Cat. Toward the end of 2025, those disappointing earnings results led to speculation that the entire entity could be for sale, something that led to further speculation on whether historical competitors like adidas could pursue a full-blown buyout. Notably, news of this minority stake purchase comes with assurances from ANTA’s side that the Chinese giant isn’t considering that wholesale takeover at this juncture.
Reportedly, a key driver in ANTA’s share acquisition is the brand’s belief that they’ll be able to leverage PUMA’s sport roster in the Chinese market, obviously a realm that ANTA has demonstrated an ability to navigate. In a statement, company chair Ding Shizhong said, “We believe Puma’s share price over the past few months does not fully reflect the long-term potential of the brand. We have confidence in its management team and strategic transformation.”
This move continues ANTA’s increasing presence on the global stage, something that stateside sneaker aficionados became keenly aware of with their courtship of Kyrie Irving, but also represented by more long-standing partnerships like that with Klay Thompson.
