How it started
History
Anta was founded by Ding Shizhong in 1991. In 2008, the Beijing Olympics gave Anta the opportunity to expand its business marketing footwear.
Anta Sports was listed as 2020.HK on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2007, with its IPO price at HK$5.28 per share. In 2009, the company acquired the Fila trademark in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao from Belle International. Since then, the company operates the Fila business in these three areas. The company also operates Descente and Sprandi stores in China, as well as Kolon Sport and Kingkow stores in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao.
Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett left his former shoe sponsor Adidas and has been sponsored by Anta since August 2010. Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson also left his Nike sponsor and has been signed with Anta since 2017. Klay Thompson's new contract with Anta will run through 2026 and could pay him up to $80 million.
In December 2018, an investor consortium consisting of Anta Sports, FountainVest Partners, Anamered Investments and Tencent announced a voluntary recommended public cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares in Amer Sports.
Anta Sports temporarily boycotted the NBA in October 2019 as a result of a re-tweet by a Houston Rockets' official in support of protests in Hong Kong.
From Wikipedia’s article on Anta, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2