Who Owns Nike? The Full Ownership Picture Beyond the Swoosh
Nike is the world's largest sportswear company. But who actually owns Nike, what brands does it control, and how does its ownership compare to rivals Adidas and New Balance?
The World's Largest Sportswear Company
Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) is a publicly traded company headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. It is the world's largest athletic footwear and apparel company by revenue, generating approximately $51 billion in fiscal year 2025.
Unlike many brands covered on WhoBrands, Nike is not a subsidiary of a larger conglomerate. Nike is the parent company. It owns the brands, not the other way around. But the full ownership picture is more interesting than it appears.
Who Owns Nike the Company?
Nike is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Its ownership breaks down as:
- The Vanguard Group: ~8.5%
- BlackRock: ~6.5%
- State Street: ~4%
- Various mutual funds, pension funds, and ETFs
The Knight Family (~15-20% of voting power): Phil Knight, Nike's co-founder, and his son Travis Knight control a significant portion of Nike's Class A shares, which carry superior voting rights. This dual-class share structure gives the Knight family outsized influence over corporate decisions despite owning a minority of total equity.
Phil Knight co-founded Nike (originally Blue Ribbon Sports) with track coach Bill Bowerman in 1964. Knight stepped down as chairman in 2016 but remains chairman emeritus. His net worth is approximately $35+ billion, primarily from Nike stock.
Current CEO: Elliott Hill (appointed October 2024, replacing John Donahoe)
What Brands Does Nike Own?
Nike's brand portfolio is relatively focused compared to diversified conglomerates:
Nike (Flagship)
- Nike Footwear: Running, basketball, training, lifestyle shoes
- Nike Apparel: Athletic and lifestyle clothing
- Nike Equipment: Bags, socks, accessories
- Nike Direct: Nike.com, Nike app, Nike flagship stores
- Nike Digital: SNKRS app, Nike Training Club, Nike Run Club
Jordan Brand
- Air Jordan sneakers: The most valuable sneaker brand, generating ~$7 billion annually
- Jordan apparel and accessories
- Jordan athlete endorsements (current NBA stars, not just Michael Jordan)
Michael Jordan earns approximately $150+ million per year in royalties from the Jordan Brand, making him one of the highest-earning athletes of all time despite retiring from basketball in 2003.
Converse
- Chuck Taylor All Star: One of the most iconic shoes in history
- Converse One Star, Jack Purcell
- Converse apparel
Converse operates with its own design team and brand identity, headquartered in Boston, though it benefits from Nike's supply chain and distribution infrastructure.
Brands Nike Has Sold
- Hurley (surf/skate): Sold to Bluestar Alliance in 2019
- Umbro (soccer/football): Sold to Iconix Brand Group in 2012
- Cole Haan (dress shoes): Sold to Apax Partners in 2012
- Bauer Hockey (hockey equipment): Sold in 2008
These divestitures reflect Nike's strategy of focusing on its core athletic brands rather than maintaining a diversified lifestyle portfolio.
Nike vs the Competition: Ownership Comparison
| Company | Type | Key Brands | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nike, Inc. | Public (NYSE: NKE) | Nike, Jordan, Converse | ~$51B |
| Adidas AG | Public (XETRA: ADS) | Adidas, Reebok (sold 2022) | ~$24B |
| New Balance | Private (Davis family) | New Balance, Warrior, PF Flyers | ~$6.5B |
| Puma SE | Public, controlled by Artemis (Pinault family) | Puma | ~$9B |
| ASICS | Public (TYO: 7936) | ASICS, Onitsuka Tiger | ~$4.5B |
| On Running | Public (NYSE: ONON) | On | ~$2.5B |
| Hoka/Deckers | Public (NYSE: DECK) | Hoka, UGG, Teva | ~$4.3B |
- Adidas is publicly traded but has no controlling shareholder. Adidas sold Reebok to Authentic Brands Group in 2022 for $2.5 billion after acquiring it for $3.8 billion in 2005.
- New Balance is one of the largest privately held sportswear companies in the world, owned by the Davis family. Chairman Jim Davis is worth approximately $8 billion.
- Puma is controlled by Artemis, the investment vehicle of the Pinault family (who also control Kering, parent of Gucci). The Pinault family owns ~30% of Puma.
The Nike Manufacturing Reality
Nike does not manufacture any of its own products. All Nike footwear and apparel is produced by independent contract manufacturers, primarily in:
| Country | % of Nike Footwear | Key Manufacturers |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | ~50% | Various contract factories |
| Indonesia | ~25% | Various contract factories |
| China | ~20% | Various contract factories |
| Other | ~5% | India, Thailand, others |
This asset-light manufacturing model means Nike is primarily a design, marketing, and distribution company. Its value is in the brand, not in factories.
The 2024-2026 Challenges
Nike has faced significant headwinds:
CEO change: John Donahoe was replaced by Nike veteran Elliott Hill in October 2024 after a period of declining innovation and competitive losses to brands like Hoka, On Running, and New Balance.
Market share losses: Nike's dominant position in running and lifestyle footwear has been challenged by newer brands offering fresher designs and better performance technology.
DTC strategy recalibration: Nike aggressively shifted to direct-to-consumer sales (Nike.com, Nike stores) during 2020-2023, but pulled back from wholesale partnerships too quickly, losing shelf space to competitors.
Stock performance: Nike stock declined approximately 30% from its 2021 highs through late 2024, significantly underperforming the market.
Elliott Hill's mandate is to return Nike to its roots: product innovation, athlete partnerships, and running credibility. Early signs in late 2025 and early 2026 suggest a renewed focus on performance products and wholesale distribution recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nike owned by a larger company?
No. Nike, Inc. is an independent publicly traded company. It is the parent, not a subsidiary. The Knight family (co-founder Phil Knight's family) retains significant voting control through dual-class shares.
Does Nike own Jordan Brand?
Yes. Jordan Brand is a division of Nike, Inc., not an independent company. Michael Jordan does not own Jordan Brand; he receives royalties estimated at $150+ million annually.
Does Nike own Converse?
Yes. Nike acquired Converse in 2003 for $309 million. Converse operates as a separate brand within Nike, headquartered in Boston.
Who is Nike's biggest competitor?
Adidas is Nike's largest competitor by revenue (~$24B), but newer brands like Hoka (owned by Deckers Outdoor) and On Running (Swiss-based) have been the fastest-growing competitors in recent years.
Where are Nike shoes made?
Nike does not own any factories. All Nike footwear is produced by independent contract manufacturers, primarily in Vietnam (~50%), Indonesia (~25%), and China (~20%).
The Bottom Line
Nike is a rare case on WhoBrands: a brand that IS the parent company, not a subsidiary of a larger conglomerate. With the Nike, Jordan, and Converse brands generating over $51 billion in annual revenue, Nike, Inc. is one of the most valuable consumer brand portfolios in the world. Understanding its ownership structure, brand portfolio, and competitive landscape helps consumers see the full picture behind the swoosh.
Explore sportswear brand ownership on WhoBrands or browse athletic brands.
Sources
1. Nike, Inc. Annual Report FY 2025. 2. Forbes. "Phil Knight Net Worth." 2025. 3. Bloomberg. "Nike Ownership Data." 2025. 4. Deckers Outdoor. Annual Report 2025.
All brand ownership data verified through WhoBrands.com's research methodology. Last updated: January 29, 2026.
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