The Skechers owner, in the simplest sense, is now 3G Capital a global private investment firm that completed its $9.4 billion acquisition of Skechers in September 2025. But the fuller answer is a bit more layered. The Greenberg family, who founded the company in 1992, still holds a stake and continues to run it. Here's how that all fits together.
Quick Answer: Who Owns Skechers Right Now?
As of September 2025, Skechers is a privately held company owned primarily by 3G Capital. The deal was announced in May 2025 and finalized in September of that year, at which point Skechers delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.
That said, the Greenberg family who built the company from scratch over three decadeselected to retain a stake of up to 20% in the newly private entity. Robert Greenberg continues as Chairman and CEO.
His son Michael remains President. Their COO, David Weinberg, stays on as well. So while 3G Capital holds majority ownership, the founding family didn't simply cash out and walk away.
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Who Founded Skechers?
Robert Greenberg founded Skechers in 1992 in Manhattan Beach, California. He is the company's Chairman and CEO and has been since day one. His son Michael Greenberg co-founded the company alongside him and serves as President.
Robert didn't come to footwear out of nowhere. He had previously founded LA Gear in 1983 a brand that was genuinely massive in the late '80s.
After conflicts with investors pushed the Greenbergs out of LA Gear in 1991, Robert considered stepping back entirely. Instead, he and Michael traveled to England to look at the then-growing Doc Martens market. That trip eventually led to the idea for Skechers.
The company originally started as a U.S. distributor for Doc Martens. Within a year, the Greenbergs pivoted to designing and selling their own brand.
Their first product was a utility boot. The name 'Skechers' came from two younger members of the Greenberg family, who used it as slang for an energetic kid who couldn't sit still.From those roots in a Manhattan Beach condo, the company grew to $100 million in annual sales by 1995 and completed a $115 million IPO in 1999.
How the Skechers Owner the Greenberg Family Controlled the Company as a Public Business
Economic Ownership vs. Voting Control A Distinction Most People Miss
Here's something that trips people up when researching the Skechers owner question. As of May 2025 just before the acquisition closed the Greenberg family owned roughly 12% of Skechers' shares on an economic basis. That's not a controlling stake by the usual definition.
But they held more than 60% of the company's combined voting power. That's a very different thing.
Skechers used a dual-class share structure. This is a common setup for founder-led companies: two classes of stock exist, with one class (typically held by founders) carrying significantly more votes per share than the other.
So Robert and Michael Greenberg could own a relatively modest slice of the company's economic value while still having the final say on major decisions. In practice, this meant no outside investor or activist shareholder could override the family's direction for the business.
What's often overlooked is that this structure is precisely why the Skechers owner dynamic stayed founder-driven for over 25 years as a public company. Many comparable brands lost their founder's influence far earlier.
The Public Era: 1999 to 2025
Skechers traded on the NYSE under the ticker SKX from its 1999 IPO until September 12, 2025. During that period, large institutional investors firms like Vanguard and BlackRock held significant economic stakes. But those stakes came with limited voting power under the dual-class structure.
The Greenberg family's operational grip never really loosened. Robert remained CEO throughout. Michael grew into his role as President, overseeing retail expansion globally.
By 2024, Skechers was approaching $9 billion in annual revenues and had more than 5,300 stores worldwide. Understanding who the real Skechers owner was during this era means looking past the shareholder register and straight at the family running it.
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The 3G Capital Acquisition What Changed and What Didn't
What Is 3G Capital?
3G Capital is a global private investment firm, founded in 2004. It's probably best known for acquiring large consumer brands and working closely with existing management rather than replacing them. Its portfolio has included Burger King, Kraft Heinz, Tim Hortons, and Hunter Douglas.
Their model often described as 'owner-operator investing' is built around long-term partnerships with founding families and management teams. That framing is relevant here. 3G didn't approach Skechers as a turnaround target; it approached them as a functioning, founder-led business it wanted to back for what comes next.
How the Deal Came Together
The announcement came on May 5, 2025. Skechers shares had fallen roughly 26% that year, weighed down largely by uncertainty over tariffs the company manufactures all its footwear overseas, with approximately 40% coming from China.
With 145% U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports creating real pressure on the business, going private offered a way to navigate a volatile period without the additional scrutiny of quarterly earnings reporting.
3G Capital offered $63 per share in cash a 30% premium over Skechers' recent trading average. Shareholders also had the option of taking $57 in cash plus one equity unit in the new private holding entity.The deal was unanimously approved by Skechers' board and endorsed by shareholders holding approximately 60% of combined voting power namely, the Greenberg family themselves.
The Greenberg Family's Choice
The Greenbergs elected the mixed consideration: less upfront cash, but a retained stake in the company going forward. The deal structure allowed up to 20% of outstanding shares to receive this mixed option.
The family exercised their right under a formal support agreement signed alongside the merger announcement.This matters because it signals intent. The Greenbergs didn't sell everything and exit.
They chose to stay invested financially and operationally in Skechers under 3G's ownership. Robert Greenberg and Michael Greenberg both remained in their existing leadership roles when the transaction closed in September 2025.
Skechers Ownership at a Glance Current Structure
For anyone who just wants the summary:
• Majority owner: 3G Capital (private equity firm, completed acquisition September 2025)
• Retained family stake: The Greenberg family holds up to 20% in the new private entity
• CEO: Robert Greenberg (co-founder, in the role since 1992)
• President: Michael Greenberg (co-founder, Robert's son)
• COO: David Weinberg (with the company since 1993)
• Stock status: No longer publicly traded — delisted from NYSE on September 12, 2025
• Headquarters: Manhattan Beach, California (unchanged)
In short: 3G Capital owns Skechers. The Greenberg family remains a meaningful minority stakeholder and continues to run the business day-to-day.
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Conclusion
The Skechers owner today is 3G Capital, with the Greenberg family retaining a stake and continuing to lead the business. Founded by Robert and Michael Greenberg in 1992, Skechers went from a Manhattan Beach startup to one of the world's largest footwear brands and that family influence hasn't disappeared, even after going private.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skechers still owned by the Greenberg family?
Not in a majority sense. 3G Capital completed its acquisition in September 2025, becoming the primary owner. The Greenbergs retained up to 20% and remain in leadership roles, but they no longer hold controlling ownership.
What does it mean that Skechers is now a private company?
It means Skechers no longer trades on a stock exchange. There are no public shareholders, no quarterly earnings calls, and no obligation to report financials publicly. Decisions are made internally between 3G Capital, the Greenberg family, and management.
Did 3G Capital change how Skechers is run?
Based on publicly available information, the leadership structure remained unchanged after the acquisition. Robert Greenberg stayed on as CEO and Michael Greenberg as President. 3G's stated approach is to work with existing management teams, not replace them.
Is Skechers owned by Nike, Adidas, or another shoe company?
No. Skechers is an independent brand. It has faced lawsuits from both Nike and Adidas over design and patent disputes, but neither company owns or has any stake in Skechers.
Who was the Skechers owner before 3G Capital?
Before the 2025 acquisition, Skechers was a publicly traded company. The Greenberg family held majority voting control through a dual-class share structure, making them the effective controlling owners despite a smaller economic stake.
