Who Owns Louisville Slugger?
Louisville Slugger is owned by Wilson Sporting Goods, which is a subsidiary of Amer Sports. Wilson acquired the Louisville Slugger brand from Hillerich & Bradsby in 2016 for approximately $70 million. The brand continues to operate with manufacturing in Kentucky while benefiting from Wilson's global distribution.
Parent Company
Amer Sports
Acquired
2016
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Who Owns Louisville Slugger?
- Parent Company: Amer Sports
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2016
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: AS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville Slugger | Amer Sports | Wholly owned |
History of Louisville Slugger
- Founded: 1884
- Founders: J. F. Hillerich, Bud Hillerich
- Acquired by Amer Sports: 2016
Louisville Slugger was founded in 1884 by J. F. Hillerich, a woodworker, and his son Bud Hillerich in Louisville, Kentucky. The company originally operated as a woodworking shop before transitioning to baseball bat manufacturing after Bud Hillerich, a baseball player, suggested making bats for local players.
The breakthrough came in 1884 when Bud Hillerich crafted a bat for Louisville Eclipse player Pete Browning after Browning broke his bat during a game. Browning's success with the new bat led to increased demand, and the Hillerichs began focusing on bat production, founding the Louisville Slugger brand.
Throughout the early 20th century, Louisville Slugger became the dominant force in baseball bat manufacturing, establishing relationships with professional players and teams. The company's famous "Louisville Slugger" stamp became synonymous with quality baseball bats, and the brand developed its iconic baseball bat museum and factory tour in Louisville.
The company expanded internationally and introduced aluminum and composite bat technologies while maintaining its reputation for wooden bats. Louisville Slugger bats have been used by countless baseball legends, including Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Derek Jeter.
In 2016, Wilson Sporting Goods acquired the Louisville Slugger brand from Hillerich & Bradsby, marking a new chapter in the brand's history while preserving its manufacturing heritage in Kentucky.
About Amer Sports
What does Amer Sports own?
Amer Sports owns Arc'teryx, Salomon, Wilson, Atomic, Peak Performance, Louisville Slugger, DeMarini, EvoShield, ATEC, and Armada, among other brands. Arc'teryx and Salomon are the primary growth drivers.
Is Amer Sports publicly traded?
Yes. Amer Sports trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AS. The company completed its IPO in February 2024. Anta Sports holds a controlling stake of approximately 52%.
Who owns Amer Sports?
Anta Sports Products Limited holds a controlling stake of approximately 52%. Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon Athletica, holds approximately 16%, and FountainVest Partners holds approximately 13%. The remaining shares are publicly traded.
Where is Amer Sports headquartered?
Amer Sports is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. Individual brands maintain their own offices and design centers, including Arc'teryx in Vancouver, Canada, and Salomon in Annecy, France.
What is Amer Sports' revenue?
For Q3 2025, Amer Sports reported revenue of $1.76 billion, up 30% year over year. For Q1 2025, revenue was $1.47 billion, up 23%. For Q2 2025, revenue was $1.24 billion, up 23%. Full-year 2025 results were not yet reported as of February 19, 2026.
What is Arc'teryx?
Arc'teryx is a Canadian premium outdoor apparel and equipment brand owned by Amer Sports. It is the company's largest and fastest-growing brand, known for high-performance technical outerwear, climbing gear, and lifestyle apparel. Arc'teryx has delivered consistent double-digit revenue growth across all regions.
- Founded: 1950
- Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: AS
Where Is Louisville Slugger Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: Kentucky, USA, Various international locations
Brands Owned by Amer Sports
- Arc'teryx - Canadian premium outdoor apparel and equipment brand known for technical mountai...
- Armada - American manufacturer of freestyle skis, ski boots, poles, and technical outerwe...
- ATEC - American manufacturer of sports training equipment, specializing in pitching mac...
- Atomic - Austrian company specializing in alpine skiing equipment, including skis, ski bo...
- DeMarini - American manufacturer of baseball and softball bats and batting gloves, known fo...
- EvoShield - American sports protective gear brand known for patented Gel-to-Shell technology...
- Salomon - French outdoor sports equipment brand owned by Amer Sports, with Salomon footwea...
- Wilson - American sports equipment company specializing in ball sports equipment, includi...
Louisville Slugger Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Access to Wilson's global distribution and marketing resources
- +Preservation of American manufacturing heritage and Kentucky operations
- +Strong brand recognition and cultural significance in baseball
- +Integration with Wilson's comprehensive baseball equipment portfolio
- +Financial backing for product innovation and development
Considerations
- -Dependence on baseball market popularity and participation rates
- -Competition from other baseball equipment manufacturers
- -Need to balance traditional wooden bat heritage with modern materials
- -Seasonal nature of baseball affecting production cycles
- -Maintaining brand authenticity under corporate ownership
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisville Slugger
Where to Buy
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Louisville Slugger on AmazonCompetitors to Louisville Slugger
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nautilus | USA | 1986 | Mass Market | North America | Male |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Louisville Slugger competes with 1 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Amer Sports Stock Information
Jobs at Amer Sports
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