Puma
The Puma brand was born on October 1, 1948, when Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler registered the brand name with the German Patent and Trademark Office.
Dassler was already a celebrated shoemaker. Twenty-eight years earlier, he and brother Adolf “Adi” Dassler opened a footwear factory in their hometown of Herzogenaurach, Germany. Their products soon became popular with elite runners, including Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin wearing Dassler spikes. The Dassler brothers’ breakup following World War II is one of the most legendary stories in athletics — and one of its biggest rivalries. Adolf went on to found Adidas. Both sports giants remain based in Herzogenaurach.
For Puma, its first big success came in 1950 with the Atom football/soccer boot, marking a long heritage in the sport. Its most iconic style, though, is the Puma Suede, which launched ahead of the 1968 Olympics, where it was famously worn by Tommie Smith. For a time, the sneaker was called the Puma Clyde in honor of Walt “Clyde” Frazier. Then in the 1980s, it became the Suede and was adopted by New York’s b-boy crews and West Coast skateboarders, cementing its universal appeal. Puma scored another hit in 2016 when it unveiled the Fenty x Puma Creeper with brand partner Rihanna, earning it the FN Shoe of the Year award.
Puma
3,000 Consumers Sound Off on Athletic Footwear Brand Preferences: Who Came Out on Top?
Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance top many categories in new UBS global survey that includes brand awareness…
3,000 Consumers Sound Off on Athletic Footwear Brand Preferences: Who Came Out on Top?
Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance top many categories in new UBS global survey that includes brand awareness…
Anta Sports Resurfaces as Puma’s Potential White Knight
The struggling athletic brand Puma might have a buyer in Anta Sports if a deal can get done.
WWD Recommends
Puma Taps JD Sports, Adidas Alum Nadia Kokni as VP of Global Brand Marketing
Kokni replaces Richard Teyssier, who has decided to leave Puma to pursue other opportunities after 14 years…
The Biggest Footwear CEO Changes of 2025
Puma, Converse, REI Co-op and more footwear companies hired new chief executive officers this year. Meet the…
These Were the Biggest Footwear CEO Changes of 2025
Puma, Converse, REI Co-op and more footwear companies hired new chief executive officers this year. Meet the…
Shuffle Board: Puma Loses Comms Exec, Esprit Leadership Moves
Puma's Kerstin Neuber exits after 18 years while Esprit loses chairwoman Christin Su Yi Chiu and former…
7 of the Biggest Layoffs to Hit Footwear in 2025
Adidas, Nike and Puma were among the companies that cut jobs in 2025.
7 of the Biggest Layoffs to Hit Footwear in 2025
Adidas, Nike and Puma were among the companies that cut jobs in 2025.
Puma Secures New Financing Loan as Sale Speculation Continues
The German athletic firm has obtained a bridge loan of 500 million euros and additional confirmed credit…
Puma Secures New Financing Loan as Sale Speculation Continues
The German athletic firm has obtained a bridge loan of 500 million euros and additional confirmed credit…
Puma Releases ‘Lux’ Versions of Its Speedcat, Wedge Sneaker and Ballet Styles
A highlight of the release is the reintroduction of the Speedcat Wedge.
Puma Acquisition Speculation Heats Up Again: All the Potential Suitors So Far
Puma has no shortage of possible suitors, but its biggest challenge could be how fast can it move on its…
A$AP Rocky Takes on the Speedcat in Latest Puma Release
The shoe features a distressed suede upper, red laces tied around the midfoot, and a scorched rubber outsole.
Puma Restructures Partnership With United Legwear
Puma has moved from a business partnership to a licensing agreement structure with its long-term partner for…