Who Owns Wilson?

Wilson was founded in 1913 as the Ashland Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois, initially producing tennis racket strings and surgical supplies. The company was renamed Wilson & Co. in 1915 after Thomas E. Wilson, a former baseball player and executive, joined the company and expanded its focus into sporting goods.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Wilson established itself as a major American sports equipment manufacturer, introducing innovative products across multiple sports categories. The company developed the first tennis ball machine in 1920 and expanded into footballs, basketballs, and baseballs, becoming an official supplier to various professional leagues.

The post-World War II period saw Wilson's growth accelerate as the company expanded internationally and developed new technologies in sports equipment. Wilson became the official tennis ball supplier for major tournaments and introduced innovative golf club designs that gained popularity among professional golfers.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Wilson continued to innovate, introducing the first aluminum baseball bats and developing advanced tennis racket technologies. The company established itself as a leader in multiple sports categories, from tennis rackets to basketballs used in professional competition.

Wilson changed ownership several times throughout its history, including periods under PepsiCo and Amerco ownership, before being acquired by Amer Sports in 2019. Throughout these ownership changes, Wilson maintained its position as one of America's most recognized sports equipment brands.