Who owns Duck Commander now? Everything to know about Phil Robertson's apparel company as "Duck Dynasty" star dies at 79

Phil Robertson, the Duck Commander founder, is no more. The Duck Dynasty passed away at 79 on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The Robertson family patriarch’s son, Willie, and daughter-in-law, Korie, shared the news with an official statement that read,

“We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord. He reminded us often of the words of Paul, ‘you do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.’”

Phil, a former Louisiana Tech University quarterback, was among those who pioneered a nationwide duck call-selling business and influenced the hunting industry for years. Duck Commander, the hunting and apparel business he founded in ‘73, diversified over the years from making and selling duck calls to offering gear, clothing, and more.

The Robertson family still holds the ownership of the company, which is now more than five decades old. According to Phil’s profile on Duck Commander’s official website,

“Duck Commander is still a family business, with [Phil’s] all 4 sons and their wives either presently working or previously having worked for the company at one time or another.”

Phil’s son Willie, the CEO of Duck Commander and its subsidiary Buck Commander. Jeffrey Kent is serving as the company’s chief operating officer, while the likes of John Goodwin, Silas "Uncle Si" Robertson, Jase Robertson, Justin Martin, and more are among the key people.

Phil Robertson’s son Willie is credited with the expansion of Duck Commander

The former Louisiana Tech University quarterback developed and patented his duck call, the Duck Commander, in 1972. A year later, he started the eponymous company from his family home in West Monroe, Louisiana. Over the years, the business moved from Phil Robertson’s residence to a warehouse, and Willie became the firm's CEO.

The decision to make Willie the chief executive was made when he was still a child. In a 2012 interview with ABC News, Phil’s wife Kay Robertson said,

"He was about 10 or 11, junior high, they called us from school, he had to set up a concession stand, selling candies, and he absolutely shut down the school's whole snack shop.”

Phil added to his wife’s remarks and told ABC News,

“I said, 'he's our CEO,'”

The Duck Commander CEO has been credited for the company’s expansion and its multi-million-dollar turnover. According to the business’ website,

“Robertson has expanded his family companies, from a living room operation to a multi-million-dollar enterprise and destination for all things outdoors. Duck Commander is the best-selling duck call brand in the U.S. It, along with Buck Commander are popular trademarks on apparel, hunting gear, food items and more.”

Duck Commander has multiple subsidiaries, such as Buck Commander, Fin Commander, and Strut Commander, with each one of them having their niche. Willie is also the executive producer of Duck Dynasty and Buck Commander: Protected by Under Armour.

According to The New York Times, Phil Robertson was initially opposed to the idea of Duck Dynasty, but Willie convinced him. He told the NYT in 2013,

Trending

“He said, ‘I’m already as famous as I want to be.’ I explained to him: ‘Phil, this can expand your platform to talk about the things you like to talk about.’”

Duck Dynasty ended up having an 11-season run, and a revival was announced in January. Most of the cast were confirmed to return, except Phil Robertson, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Duck Commander founder was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease last year, according to his son Jase (via Unashamed with the Robertson Family).

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback