Nike acquired Converse in 2003 to add the Converse brand to its portfolio.
Converse is an American footwear and apparel company best known for the Chuck Taylor All-Star, a canvas basketball shoe that became a major casual and cultural icon. Nike’s acquisition brought Converse into the company’s broader brand group while allowing it to retain a distinct identity.
The deal is sometimes confused with Nike’s later football-related acquisition of Umbro, which took place in 2008. Converse is a separate brand with a much older history, dating to its founding in 1908 in Massachusetts.
After the acquisition, Converse continued operating as a recognizable standalone label rather than simply becoming another Nike-branded shoe line. Its classic silhouettes and strong lifestyle appeal complemented Nike’s performance-focused product range.