who owns new balance

New Balance is privately owned, with control resting overwhelmingly with the Davis family, led by longtime owner and chairman Jim Davis and his wife, vice chair Anne (Anna) Davis.

Who owns New Balance?

• New Balance Athletics, Inc. is a privately held company, not listed on any stock exchange.

• The Davis family is widely reported to own roughly 95% of the business, giving them clear majority control.

• Jim Davis, who bought the then‑small shoe company in 1972, serves as chairman and is considered the principal owner.

• His wife, Anne/Anna Davis, is vice chair and a major stakeholder, with their family collectively controlling the company.

Quick Scoop: ownership facts

• No parent company: New Balance is independent and not owned by Nike, Adidas, or any other big sportswear group.

• No IPO to date: there are no credible reports of an initial public offering or large private‑equity takeover through 2025–2026.

• Family control: board and voting power are concentrated in the Davis family, with hired executives (like CEO Joe Preston) running day‑to‑day operations.

Mini timeline

• 1906: New Balance starts as an arch‑support maker in Boston.

• 1972: James “Jim” S. Davis acquires New Balance on the day of the Boston Marathon, turning it into a family‑owned athletic brand.

• 1977: Anne Davis formally joins the company, deepening family leadership.

• 2020s: The company remains privately held, posting multi‑billion‑dollar annual revenue while preserving its independent status.

Forum‑style takeaway

If you see people on forums asking “who owns New Balance,” the most accurate short answer is: it’s still an independent, privately held brand, majority owned and controlled by Jim and Anne Davis and their family, not by any big public sneaker conglomerate.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.