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Kim Jong-un
Kim Jong-un

== History ==
[[File:Adidas at 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City.jpg|thumb|237px|right|An Adidas shop in [[Bonifacio Global City]], [[Metro Manila]], [[Philippines]].]]
[[File:AdidasStoreVaughanMills.jpg|thumb|An Adidas Store in [[Vaughan Mills]]]]

===Early days===
Christoph Von Wilhelm Dassler was a worker in a shoe factory, while his wife Pauline ran a small laundry in the [[Franconia]]n town of [[Herzogenaurach]], {{convert|20|km|mi||abbr=on|sigfig=3}} from the city of [[Nuremberg]]. After leaving school, their son, [[Rudolf Dassler|Rudolf "Rudi" Dassler]], joined his father at the shoe factory. When he returned from fighting in [[World War I]], Rudolf received a management position at a [[porcelain]] factory, and later in a leather wholesale business in [[Nuremberg]].

[[Adolf Dassler|Adolf "Adi" Dassler]] started to produce his own sports shoes in his mother's wash kitchen in [[Herzogenaurach]] after his return from World War I. In July 1924, his brother Rudolf returned to Herzogenaurach to join his younger brother's business, which became ''{{lang|de|Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik}}'' (''Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory'') and prospered. The pair started the venture in their mother's laundry,<ref name="Sneaker Wars">{{Cite book|last=Smit|first=Barbara|title=Sneaker Wars|publisher=Harper Perennial|year=2009|location=New York|isbn=978-0-06-124658-6}}</ref>{{rp|5}} but, at the time, electricity supplies in the town were unreliable, and the brothers sometimes had to use pedal power from a stationary bicycle to run their equipment.<ref name=DW>{{cite web|last=James|first=Kyle|url=http://www.dw.de/the-town-that-sibling-rivalry-built-and-divided/a-2074427 |title=The Town that Sibling Rivalry Built, and Divided |work=Deutsche Welle |date=3 July 2006}}</ref>

By the [[1936 Summer Olympics]], [[Adi Dassler]] drove from Bavaria on one of the world's first motorways to the Olympic village with a suitcase full of spikes and persuaded U.S. [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]] [[Jesse Owens]] to use them, the first [[Sponsor (commercial)|sponsorship]] for an African American. Following Owens' haul of four gold medals, his success cemented the good reputation of Dassler shoes among the world's most famous sportsmen. Letters from around the world landed on the brothers' desks, and the trainers of other national teams were all interested in their shoes. Business boomed and the Dasslers were selling 200,000 pairs of shoes every year before World War II.<ref name=rediff>{{cite web|url=http://in.rediff.com/sports/2005/nov/08adi.htm |title=How Adidas and PUMA were born |publisher=in.rediff.com |date=8 November 2005|accessdate=2 April 2014}}</ref>

===World War II and company split===
During the war, a growing rift between the pair reached a breaking point after an Allied bomb attack in 1943, when Adi and his wife ran into a bomb shelter that Rudolf and his family were already in: "The bastards are back again", Adi said, referring to the Allies war planes, but Rudolf was utterly convinced that his brother had been referring to him and his family.<ref name=sneakerwars>{{cite book|last=Esterl |first=Mike |url=https://www.wsj.com/article/SB120606066903653643.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Review of "Sneaker Wars: The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and PUMA and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sport", Barbara Smit, March 2008, ISBN 978-0-06-124657-9 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=21 March 2008 |accessdate=26 September 2010}}</ref> After Rudolf was later picked up by American soldiers and accused of being a member of the [[Waffen SS]], which he was not, he felt certain that his brother had turned him in.<ref name=DW/>

The Dolbury factory, used for production of anti-tank weapons during the war, was nearly destroyed by US forces in April 1945, but was spared when Adi Dassler's wife, Käthe, convinced the GIs that the company and its employees were only interested in manufacturing sports shoes. American occupying forces subsequently became major buyers of the Dassler brothers' shoes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shoes and Nazi Bazookas: The Prehistory of Adidas and Puma|work=Der Spiegel|date=4 March 2009|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/shoes-and-nazi-bazookas-the-prehistory-of-adidas-and-puma-a-611400.html|accessdate=5 August 2012}}</ref>

The brothers split up in 1947,<ref name=sneakerwars/> with Rudi forming a new firm that he called '''Ruda''' – from '''Ru'''dolf '''Da'''ssler, later rebranded [[Puma SE|Puma]], and Adi forming a company formally registered as '''Adidas AG''' from '''Adi''' '''Das'''sler on 18 August 1949. Although it is a popular [[urban myth]] that the name is an [[acronym]] for ''All Day I Dream About Sports'', that phrase is a "[[backronym]]"; in reality the name is actually a [[portmanteau]] formed from "Adi" (a nickname for Adolf) and "Das" (from "Dassler").<ref name="history" />

===Early years and rivalry with Puma===
[[Puma SE]] and Adidas entered into a fierce and bitter business rivalry after the split. Indeed, the town of Herzogenaurach was divided on the issue, leading to the nickname "the town of bent necks"—people looked down to see which shoes strangers wore.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ramachandran|first=Arjun|title=Town divided by tale of two shoes|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 September 2009|url=http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/culture/town-divided-by-tale-of-two-shoes-20090918-fv01.html|accessdate=6 November 2010}}</ref> Even the town's two [[Football team|football club]]s were divided: [[ASV Herzogenaurach]] club was supported by Adidas, while [[FC Herzogenaurach|1 FC Herzogenaurach]] endorsed Rudolf's footwear.<ref name="DW" /> When handymen were called to Rudolf's home, they would deliberately wear Adidas shoes. Rudolf would tell them to go to the basement and pick out a pair of free Pumas.<ref name="DW" /> The two brothers were never reconciled and although both are now buried in the same cemetery, they are spaced as far apart as possible.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hall |first=Allan |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/6216728/Adidas-and-Puma-bury-the-hatchet-after-60-years-of-brothers-feud-after-football-match.html |title=Adidas and Puma bury the hatchet after 60 years of brothers' feud after football match |publisher=Telegraph |date=22 September 2009 |accessdate=18 August 2016}}</ref>

In 1948, the first football match after World War II, several members of the [[West Germany national football team|West German national football team]] wore Puma boots, including the scorer of West Germany's first post-war goal, [[Herbert Burdenski]]. Four years later, at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]], [[1500 metres]] runner [[Josy Barthel]] of [[Luxembourg]] won Puma's first Olympic gold in [[Helsinki]], Finland.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
[[File:Logo brand Adidas.png|thumb|right|150px| The original trefoil Adidas logo until 1998, it is now used on [[Adidas Originals]].]]

At the [[1960 Summer Olympics]], Puma paid German sprinter [[Armin Hary]] to wear Pumas in the 100 meter sprint final. Hary had worn Adidas before and asked Adolf for payment, but Adidas rejected this request. The German won gold in Pumas, but then laced up Adidas for the medals ceremony, to the shock of the two Dassler brothers. Hary hoped to cash in from both, but Adi was so enraged he banned the Olympic champion.<ref name=rediff/>

===3-Stripes Logo===
In 1952, following the [[1952 Summer Olympics]], Adidas acquired its signature 3-stripes logo from the athletic footwear brand, [[Karhu Sports]], for two bottles of whiskey and the equivalent of 1600 euros.<ref>{{cite book | title = International cases in the business of sport | author = Simon Chadwick, Dave Arthur | page = 438 | publisher = Butterworth-Heinemann | year = 2007 | isbn = 0-7506-8543-3 }}</ref><ref name="Sabotage">{{cite web|last1=Weather|first1=Sneaker|title=Karhu: The Brand That Sold Adidas The Three Stripes|url=http://sabotagetimes.com/style/karhu-the-original-brand-with-three-stripes#!|website=Sabotage Times|publisher=Sabotage Times|accessdate=13 April 2017}}</ref>

===Tapie affair===
<!-- Please upload a working photo -->
<!-- [[File:Bernard-Tapie.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Bernard Tapie]], a former French businessman who once owned Adidas but has since relinquished his control over the company due to [[debt]]]] -->

{{Refimprove section|date=October 2010}}
After a period of trouble following the death of Adolf Dassler's son [[Horst Dassler]] in 1987, the company was bought in 1989 by French industrialist [[Bernard Tapie]], for [[French franc|₣]]1.6 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]] (now €243.9&nbsp;million), which Tapie borrowed.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://articles.latimes.com/1990-07-16/business/fi-273_1_adidas-ag|title = LA TImes 7/16/1990 - French Investor to buy adidas|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> Tapie was at the time a famous specialist of rescuing bankrupt companies, an expertise on which he built his fortune.

Tapie decided to move production [[offshoring|offshore]] to Asia. He also hired [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] for promotion.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} He sent, from [[Christchurch]], New Zealand, a shoe sales representative to Germany and met Adolf Dassler's descendants (Amelia Randall Dassler and Bella Beck Dassler) and was sent back with a few items to promote the company there.

In 1992, unable to pay the loan interest, Tapie mandated the [[Crédit Lyonnais]] bank to sell Adidas, and the bank subsequently converted the outstanding debt owed into [[Stock|equity]] of the enterprise, which was unusual as per the prevalent French banking practice. The [[state-owned]] bank had tried to get Tapie out of dire financial straits as a personal favour to Tapie, it is reported, because Tapie was [[Political minister|Minister]] of Urban Affairs (ministre de la Ville) in the French government at the time.

In February 2000, Crédit Lyonnais sold Adidas to [[Robert Louis-Dreyfus]], a friend of Bernard Tapie for a much higher amount of money than what Tapie owed, 4.485&nbsp;billion (€683.514&nbsp;million) francs rather than 2.85&nbsp;billion (€434.479&nbsp;million). They also purposely bankrupted Tapie's company that owned Adidas, because only the company had the right to sue them.

[[Robert Louis-Dreyfus]] became the new CEO of the company. He was also the president of [[Olympique de Marseille]], a team Tapie had owned until 1993.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}

Tapie filed for personal bankruptcy in 1994. He was the object of several lawsuits, notably related to [[match fixing]] at the football club. During 1997, he served 6 months of an 18-month prison sentence in [[La Santé]] prison in Paris.

==Post-Tapie era==
[[File:An Adidas shoe.jpg|thumb|200px|An Adidas shoe, with the company's distinctive [[Three stripes|three parallel bars]]]]
In 1994, combined with [[FIFA]] Youth Group, [[SOS Children's Villages]] became the main beneficiary.

In 1997, Adidas AG acquired the [[Salomon Group]] who specialized in ski wear, and its official corporate name was changed to Adidas-Salomon AG. With this acquisition Adidas also acquired the Taylormade Golf company and [[Maxfli]], which allowed them to compete with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] Golf.

In 1998, Adidas sued the [[NCAA]] over their rules limiting the size and number of commercial logos on team uniforms and team clothing. Adidas withdrew the suit, and the two groups established guidelines as to what three-stripe designs would be considered uses of the Adidas trademark.

As CEO of Adidas, Louis-Dreyfus quadrupled revenue to 5.84 billion euros ($7.5 billion) from 1993 through 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-01-31/louis-dreyfus-widow-ousts-men-running-commodities-giant-as-newest-chairman|title=Louis-Dreyfus Widow Chairman Ousts Men Running Commodities Giant|author=Alan Katz|date=31 January 2012|work=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> In 2000, he announced he would resign the following year, due to illness.

In 2003, Adidas filed a lawsuit in a British court challenging Fitness World Trading's use of a two-stripe motif similar to Adidas's [[three stripes]]. The court ruled that despite the simplicity of the mark, ''Fitness World'' 's use was infringing because the public could establish a link between that use and Adidas's mark.<ref>{{cite news |last=Osborn |first=Andrew |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/story/0,3604,995976,00.html |title=Adidas told its three stripes don't constitute a trademark |work=The Guardian |date=10 July 2003 |accessdate=26 December 2012}}</ref>

In September 2004, top English fashion designer [[Stella McCartney]] launched a joint-venture line with Adidas, establishing a long-term partnership with the corporation. This line is a sports performance collection for women called "Adidas by Stella McCartney",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adidas.com/campaigns/women/content/stella/stella.asp?strCountry_Adidascom=com |title= Stella McCartney collection |publisher=Adidas.com |accessdate=26 September 2010}}</ref> and it has been critically acclaimed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565383/bio|title=Stella McCartney|publisher=}}</ref>

Also, on 3 May 2005, Adidas told the public that they sold their partner company [[Salomon Group]] for €485m to [[Amer Sports]] of Finland.
In August 2005, Adidas declared its intention to buy [[Reebok]] for $3.8&nbsp;billion (US$). This takeover was completed with partnership in January 2006<ref name="history" /> and meant that the company would have business sales closer to those of Nike in North America. The acquisition of Reebok would also allow Adidas to compete with Nike worldwide as the number two athletic shoemaker in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2005/08/03/adidas-rachete-l-americain-reebok-pour-tenter-de-faire-jeu-egal-avec-nike_677359_3234.html|title=Adidas rachète l'américain Reebok pour tenter de faire jeue egal avec nike |publisher=Le Monde |date=3 August 2005|accessdate=17 October 2016 |language=fr}}</ref>

Adidas has global corporate headquarters in Germany, and many other business locations around the world such as Portland OR, Hong Kong, Toronto, Taiwan, England, Japan, Australia, and Spain.

In 2005, Adidas introduced the [[Adidas 1]], the first ever production shoe to use a [[microprocessor]]. Dubbed by the company "The World's First Intelligent Shoe", it features a microprocessor capable of performing 5 million calculations per second that automatically adjusts the shoe's level of cushioning to suit its environment. The shoe requires a small, user-replaceable battery that lasts for approximately 100 hours of running. On 25 November 2005, Adidas released a new version of the Adidas 1 with an increased range of cushioning, allowing the shoe to become softer or firmer, and a new motor with 153 percent more torque.<ref>[http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/recreation/1278181 Adidas 1 Is The Most Technically Advanced Running Shoe] ''Popular Mechanics'', 7 December 2004</ref>

On 11 April 2006, Adidas announced an 11-year deal to become the official [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] clothing provider. The company has been making [[NBA]], [[NBDL]], and [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]] jerseys and products as well as team-coloured versions of the "Superstar" basketball shoe. This deal (worth over $400&nbsp;million) took over the previous Reebok deal that had been put in place in 2001 for 10 years.

On November 2011, Adidas announced that it would acquire outdoor action sport performance brand Five Ten through a share purchase agreement. The total purchase price was $25 million USD in cash at closing.<ref name="five ten">{{cite news|url=http://www.adidas-group.com/en/pressroom/archive/2011/03nov2011_2.aspx |title=adidas Group to acquire outdoor specialist Five Ten |date=3 November 2011 |accessdate=14 August 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325091048/http://www.adidas-group.com/en/pressroom/archive/2011/03Nov2011_2.aspx |archivedate=25 March 2013 |df= }}</ref>

By the end of 2012, Adidas was reporting their highest revenues ever and Chief Executive Herbert Hainer expressed optimism for the year ahead.<ref name="Dubai">{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2012/12/27/sports-gear-maker-scores-highest-revenue/ |title=Sports gear maker scores highest revenue ever in 2012 |work=Dubai Chronicle |date=27 December 2012 |accessdate=27 December 2012}}</ref>

In January 2015, Adidas launched the footwear industry's first reservation mobile app. The Adidas Confirmed app allows consumers to get access to and reserve the brand's limited edition sneakers by using geo targeting technology<ref>Darren Heitner, Forbes. "[URL Adidas Launches Footwear Industry's First Reservation Mobile App]." 3 February 2015. 3 February 2015.</ref>

On 24 March 2015, Adidas and McDonald's unveiled the 2015 McDonald's All-American uniforms. For the third year in a row, players will be wearing short-sleeved jerseys, made with the same lightweight and breathable material as the ones used in the NBA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2015-03-24/mcdonalds-all-american-2015-game-uniforms-shoes-adidas-photos|title=adidas unveils 2015 McDonald's All-American uniforms|author=Scott Rafferty|work=Sporting News}}</ref>

In August 2015, Adidas acquired fitness technology firm [[Runtastic]] for approximately $240 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/05/adidas-buys-runtastic|title=Sports gear maker scores highest revenue ever in 2012 |work=Adidas buys Runtastic to boost its fitness tech |date=5 August 2015}}</ref>

==Products==

===Apparel===
Adidas sells a range of [[clothing]] items, varying from men's and women's [[t-shirt]]s, [[jacket]]s, [[hoodie]]s, [[pants]] and [[leggins]].<ref>[http://www.adidas.com/us/originals-apparel Clothing items] in Adidas website</ref>

The first Adidas item of apparel was the [[Franz Beckenbauer]] tracksuit created in 1967.<ref name="history" /> Adidas AG is the largest manufacturer of sports bras in Europe, and the second largest manufacturer in the world.<ref>[http://www.statista.com/topics/1257/adidas/ Statistics and facts on Adidas] on Statistics portal, retrieved 22 February 2017</ref>

===Sportswear===
====Association football====
[[File:2010 World Cup Autographed by the entire Spanish National Team that won the 2010 World Cup.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Autographed jersey of the [[Spain national football team]] that was manufactured by Adidas for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]]]

One of the main focuses of Adidas has always been [[kit (association football)|football kits]], and the associated equipment. Adidas remains a major company in the global supply of team kits for international association football teams and clubs.

Adidas makes [[Referee (association football)|referee]] kits that are used in international competition and by many countries and leagues in the world. The company has been an innovator in the area of footwear for the sport, with notable examples including the 1979 release of the [[Adidas Copa Mundial|Copa Mundial]] moulded boot used for matches on firm dry pitches. It holds the accolade of the best selling boot of all time. The soft-ground equivalent was named World Cup and it too remains on the market.

[[FIFA]], the world governing body of football, commissioned specially designed [[ball (association football)|footballs]] for use in its own [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] tournaments to favour more attacking play. The balls supplied for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], the "[[Adidas Teamgeist|Teamgeist]]", were particular noteworthy for their ability to travel further than previous types when struck, leading to longer range goals. Goalkeepers were generally believed to be less comfortable with the design of the ball, claiming it was prone to move significantly and unpredictably in flight.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Michael|title=Official World Cup ball, Jabulani, getting the blame for soft goals - Robert Green - and missed ones |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/official-world-cup-ball-jabulani-blame-soft-goals-robert-green-missed-article-1.182196|accessdate=5 March 2013|newspaper=NY Daily News|date=4 June 2010}}</ref>

Adidas introduced another new ball for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]]. The [[Adidas Jabulani|Jabulani]] ball was designed and developed by [[Loughborough University]] in conjunction with [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]. The [[Adidas Brazuca]] was the match ball of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|title=adidas Brazuca – Name of Official Match Ball decided by Brazilian fans|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1693277/|website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |accessdate=6 August 2014}}</ref>

Adidas is one of the official sponsors of the [[UEFA Champions League]], and the [[Adidas Finale]] is the competition's official match ball.<ref name="adidas Finale Munich">[http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1768999.html "adidas Finale Munich"]. UEFA.com. Retrieved 21 August 2014</ref> Along with the aforementioned [[Adidas Predator]] boot, Adidas manufactures the [[adiPure]] range of football boots. Adidas provides clothing and equipment for all teams in [[Major League Soccer]].

In April 2013, Adidas and [[Opta Sports]] announced the introduction of a new football player type - the Engine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adidas and Opta Define the Engine|url=http://www.soccercleats101.com/2013/04/22/adidas-create-new-player-profile-the-engine/|publisher=SoccerCleats101.com|accessdate=22 April 2013}}</ref> The Engine' is the archetypical box-to-box footballer who covers every blade of grass, seeks goal scoring chances, tracks down his opponent and displays relentless energy from the first minute to the final whistle.

====Baseball====
Adidas has also provided baseball equipment and sponsors numerous players of [[Major League Baseball]] and [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] in Japan.

Adidas Baseball hardgoods are licensed to Dick's Sporting Goods.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot_article.asp?ticker=DKS|title = Bloomberg News - Dick's Sporting Goods|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>

From 1997 to 2008, Adidas sponsored [[New York Yankees]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/03/sports/yankees-and-adidas-agree-on-a-big-sponsorship-deal.html|title=Yankees and Adidas Agree On a Big Sponsorship Deal |work=The New York Times |accessdate=9 August 2011|first=Richard|last=Sandomir|date=3 March 1997}}</ref>

====Basketball====
Adidas' Superstar and Pro Model shoes, affectionately known as "shelltoes" for their stylized hard rubber toe box, were fueled by, among others, coaches such as [[UCLA]]'s [[John Wooden]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Chuck Taylor, All Star: The True Story of the Man behind the Most Famous Athletic Shoe in History|author=Abraham Aamidor|publisher=Indiana University Press|date=2 March 2006|ISBN=0-253-34698-3|pages=139 to 140}}</ref> Adidas drew about even with [[Converse (shoe company)|Converse]] in basketball by the mid 1970s before both started to fall behind then-upstart [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] in the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite book|title=Swoosh: The Unauthorized Story of Nike and the Men Who Played There|authors=J.B. Strasser and Laurie Becklund|publisher=HarperBusiness|ISBN=0-88730-622-5|date=1993}}</ref> Subsequently, Adidas Superstar became very popular in the 1980s [[hip hop fashion|hip hop streetwear]] scene alongside Adidas's stripe-sided polyester suits.{{Citation needed|date=October 2011}}

Adidas is also the current outfitter of all 30 franchises in the [[National Basketball Association]] (replacing the [[Reebok]] brand after the merger; however, Adidas will be replaced by Nike as the official outfitter of the league after the 2016-17 season).<ref>[http://www.nba.com/2015/news/06/10/nike-nba-uniform-partnership/ Nike to become uniform, apparel provider for NBA] on NBA.com, 10 June 2015</ref>

====Cricket====
[[File:Tendulkar batting against Australia, October 2010 (1), cropped.jpg|thumb|200px|Indian cricketer [[Sachin Tendulkar]], batting with his personalized Adidas Cricket Bat]]

Adidas began manufacturing cricket footwear in the mid 1970s, with their initial target market being Australia. Their shoes were a radical departure from traditional leather cricket boots which had remained basically unchanged for decades, being lighter and more flexible but also offering less toe protection, so that it became not uncommon to see batsmen who had been struck by the ball on the foot hopping around in pain. Having continued to manufacture cricket footwear for many years, in 2006 the company finally entered the field of bat manufacture in 2008 and currently their bat range includes the Pellara, Incurza, Libro and M-Blaster models.

In the 1990s, Adidas signed the superstar Indian batsman [[Sachin Tendulkar]] and made shoes for him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/brand-tendulkar-will-never-lose-value/3801/ |title='Brand Tendulkar will never lose value' |work=The Indian Express |location=India |date=5 May 2006 |accessdate=10 April 2010}}</ref> From 2008 till his retirement, Adidas had sponsored the cricket bat used by Tendulkar. It created a new bat, 'Adidas MasterBlaster Elite', personalized for him.

In 2008, Adidas made a concerted move into English cricket market by sponsoring English batting star [[Kevin Pietersen]] after the cancellation of his lifetime deal with [[Woodworm Cricket Company|Woodworm]], when they ran into financial difficulties.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/kevinpietersen/3204505/Kevin-Pietersen-snaps-up-lucrative-bat-deal-after-the-demise-of-Woodworm-Cricket.html |title=Kevin Pietersen snaps up lucrative bat deal after the demise of Woodworm |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=16 October 2008 |accessdate=14 May 2009 | first=Derek | last=Pringle}}</ref> The following year they signed up fellow England player [[Ian Bell]], [[Pakistan cricket team|Pakistan]] opening batsman [[Salman Butt]] and Indian Player [[Ravindra Jadeja]].

In the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL), Adidas sponsored the team [[Mumbai Indians]] from 2008 to 2014 and [[Delhi Daredevils]] from 2008 to 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-02/news/28649446_1_pune-warriors-kochi-franchise-percept-sports |title=Pune Warriors sign uniform sponsorship deal with Adidas |work=The Economic Times |location=India |date=2 March 2011 |accessdate=6 May 2011}}</ref> They were the official sponsors of [[Pune Warriors India]] in 2011 and 2012, however the team was banned from IPL due to payment issues. In 2015 Season, Adidas sponsored [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]].

====Golf====
"Adidas Golf" manufactures golf clothing, footwear, and accessories. Men's and women's equipment includes footwear, shirts, shorts, pants, outerwear (wind suits), base layer and eyewear.

====Gymnastics====
From 2000 to 2012, Adidas has provided men's and women's gymnastics wear for [[Team USA]], through [[USA Gymnastics]]. USA Gymnastics and Adidas sponsorship concluded at the end of 2012. In 2006, Adidas gymnastics leotards for women and Adidas men's competition shirts, gymnastics pants and gymnastics shorts have been available in the USA, with seasonal leotards offered for Spring, Summer, Fall and Holidays. Adidas previous collaborated with GK Elite, since Spring 2013, Adidas gymnastics products have been available worldwide through Elegant Sports. USA Olympic team members [[McKayla Maroney]], [[Jordyn Wieber]], [[Jake Dalton]] and [[Danell Leyva]] are all sponsored by Adidas gymnastics.

====Lacrosse====
In 2007, Adidas announced its entering to the [[lacrosse]] equipment, also sponsoring the Adidas National Lacrosse Classic in July 2008 for the top 600 high school underclassmen players in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adidasnationallacrosseclassic.com |title=Level 2 Sports – Home |publisher=Adidasnationallacrosseclassic.com |accessdate=10 April 2010}}</ref> The company made their self into their own brand such as "Adidas Lacrosse", getting several scholarships, Bucknell (men and women), Bryant (men), Delaware (men and women), New Jersey Institute of Technology (men), and D3 powerhouse Lynchburg (men and women in fall of 2016 with soft good only)". Materials that adidas provided were jerseys, shorts, shoes, shafts, heads, gloves, and protective pieces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://laxallstars.com/adidas-lacrosse-nabs-denver-as-a-sponsored-team/|title=Adidas Lacrosse Nabs Strong List of Sponsored Teams - Lacrosse All Stars|website=Lacrosse All Stars|language=en-US|access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref>

Products manufactured for the sport are [[lacrosse stick|sticks]], gloves, protective gear and boots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adidas.com/us/lacrosse|title=adidas lacrosse|publisher=}}</ref>

====Rugby====

====Running====
Adidas currently manufactures several running and lifestyle shoes, including the Energy-boost, and the spring-blade trainers.{{Update after|2012|10|1}}I The brand has built a strong runners' network within big European capitals, such as Paris' "Boost Energy League". In 2016 the 3rd season launched. In Paris, the Boost Energy League gathers 11 teams representing different districts of Paris.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/BoostEnergyLeague|title=Security Check Required|publisher=}}</ref>

Adidas launched two new color ways of the NMD R1 and one new color way of the NMD XR1 in September 2016.<ref>[http://sneakernews.com/2016/09/12/reserve-adidas-nmd-colored-boost-today/ RESERVE ADIDAS NMDS WITH RED BOOST AND BLACK BOOST NOW] on Sneaker News website, 12 September 2016</ref>

In November 2016, Adidas launched a sneaker made from ocean plastic. The shoe is created from a fabric called "[[BioSteel|Biosteel]]". The shoe is called the "Adidas Futurecraft Biofabric." The material used is 15% lighter than conventional silk fibers, and is 100% biodegradable. The shoe only begin to dissolve when it is put in contact with a high concentration of the digestion enzyme proteinase, which occurs naturally. Once this happens, the shoes can decompose within 36 hours.<ref>[http://www.edie.net/news/5/Adidas-launches-mass-produced-ocean-plastic-trainers/ Adidas launches mass-produced ocean plastic trainers], 15 November 2016</ref>

====Skateboarding====
Adidas Skateboarding produces shoes made specifically for skateboarding, including the redesign of previous models for skateboarding. The brand also releases signature models designed by team riders.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adidas Skateboarding {{!}} CCS Pro Signature Selects|url=http://blog.ccs.com/go/article/view/skate/263069/adidas-skateboarding-ccs-pro-signature-selects|work=CCS|publisher=CCS|accessdate=21 December 2013|date=26 June 2013}}</ref>

====Tennis====
Adidas has been involved with tennis equipment since the mid 1960s and has historically sponsored many top tennis players, beginning with two of the most dominant male tennis players at the start of the professional era in the late 1960s, [[Stan Smith]] and [[Ilie Nastase]]. During the 1980s and 1990s, not only were they exclusive apparel and footwear sponsors of world number one men's tennis players [[Ivan Lendl]] and [[Stefan Edberg]] and ladies' world number one [[Steffi Graf]] but each player had their own, exclusive graphic styles designed for their use during play, which were in turn marketed to the general public. Ivan Lendl even spent the vast majority of his dominant career playing with several different models of Adidas tennis racquets, primarily using the legendary Adidas GTX-Pro and then later the Adidas GTX Pro-T. The company recently introduced a new line of tennis [[racquet]]s. While the Feather is made for the "regular player", and the Response for the "club player", Adidas targets the "tournament player" with the 12.2 oz Barricade tour model.<ref>Tennis-warehouse.com</ref>

====Kabaddi====
Adidas entered [[Kabaddi]] which is still a non Olympic sport but highly popular in the Indian subcontinent and Asian countries. In 2014, with the launch of [[Pro Kabaddi League]] a city based franchise league in India, kabaddi took the region with storm. In 2015, they tied up with Mumbai-based franchise [[U Mumba]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiansportsnews.com/out-of-box/38089-adidas-and-u-mumba-announce-partnership-ahead-of-season-3-of-star-sports-pro-kabaddi-league |title=U Mumba sponsored by Adidas |publisher=Indian Sports News |accessdate=26 January 2016}}</ref>

''"The association of kabaddi with adidas is a clear exemplification of the growth of the sport over the last two years," shared U Sports CEO, Supratik Sen.''

===Accessories===
[[File:FreshImpactLimited.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Adidas "Fresh Impact" - Limited Edition bottle]]
Adidas also designs and makes [[slide (footwear)|slide]]-style sandals, watches, [[Glasses|eyewear]], bags, [[baseball cap]]s, and [[sock]]s. As well, Adidas has a branded range of male and female [[deodorant]]s, [[perfume]]s, [[aftershave]] and [[lotion]]s.

Adidas announced they would be launching a new $199 Fit Smart wristband in mid-August 2014. The wristband will pair with Adidas's miCoach app, which acts as a personal trainer.<ref>, The Star Online. "[http://www.thestar.com.my/Tech/Tech-News/2014/07/14/The-wearable-fitness-coaches/]." 14 July 2014. 14 July 2014.</ref>

====Adilette====

'''Adilette''' was the first ever pair of [[sandals]] made by Adidas, originally developed in 1963.<ref name="history"/> Adidas claims that a group of athletes approached [[Adolf Dassler|Adi Dassler]] requesting a shoe be made for the locker room.

To this day, the resulting sandals are a best-seller.<ref name="history-60">{{cite web|url=http://www.adidas-group.com/en/ourgroup/assets/History/pdfs/60Years_HistoricalOverview_e.pdf|title=60 years of Adidas|page=5|publisher=Adidas Group|date=February 2010}}</ref> Since the original navy blue and white '''Adilette''' sandals were created nearly fifty years ago, more varieties have been created in different colours (black, red, green, grey, orange, brown, yellow, pink, golden, silver). Most recently, Adidas has introduced a colour scheme that goes along with its Predator and adizero line; the scheme is dubbed warning (orange) and purple. Usually, the three stripes appear in the contrasting colour on the strap of the classic models. The most common adilette livery is in navy blue or black, mixed with white colours. Also the Woodilette and Trefoil models follow a similar design but without stripes on the strap.

The model provides a contoured orthopedic rubber sole with synthetic upper, and was designed as an après-sport [[Slide (footwear)|slide]], but the adilette were quickly used everywhere out of the sporting world. Opting for a wide, over the foot strap rather than the design of [[flip flops]], the adilette sandals provide a fresh style and a different level of comfort for the wearer. The strap is also glued to the sides of the sandal, which directs tension to less stressful areas of the sandal, which gives the sandals more durability.

====Santiossage====

The '''Santiossage''' is a uni-sex [[Slide (footwear)|slide]]-style sandal. The sandal has the trademarked three stripes on a velcro strap toward the front of the shoe. [[Santiossage]] comes in black, navy, or red. On the side of the shoe, toward the heel on either side, the manufacturer's name appears, as well as on a round emblem in the actual heel of the foot-bed. Notably, there are tiny clear massage nubs throughout the foot-bed for the purpose of massaging after-sport footaches, although the sandals are worn casually among non-athletes. Seen through these clear nubs are Adidas' three stripes.

====Adissage====
[[File:Adissage.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A pair of Adissage]]
'''Adissage''' is also a uni-sex [[Slide (footwear)|slide]]-style sandal. Available in black, navy, light blue, black with pink, and other assorted colors, the sandal has the trademarked three stripes on a [[velcro]] strap toward the front of the shoe. On the side of the shoe, toward the heel on either side, the manufacturers name appears, as well as on a round emblem in the actual heel of the footbed. Like the '''Santiossage''', there are tiny black massage nubs throughout the foot-bed for the purpose of massaging foot aches after sport, although popular as a casual sandal amongst non-athletes as well.

==Marketing==
[[File:Bilbao BUM Chuck D chandal.jpg|Bilbao BUM Chuck D chandal|thumb|right|150px|[[Chuck D]] in an Adidas sweatsuit]]
Adidas, like other sports brands, is believed to engender high consumer brand loyalty. Brand loyalty towards Adidas, [[Nike, Inc.]], [[Puma AG]] and several other sportswear brands was examined in a recent study.<ref>Dawes, J. "Brand Loyalty in the UK Sportswear Market." International Journal of Market Research, Vol 51, No. 1 2009.</ref> The study found consumers did not exhibit unduly high loyalty towards such brands.

During the mid to late 1990s, Adidas divided the brand into three main groups with each a separate focus: '''Adidas Performance''' was designed to maintain their devotion to the athlete; '''[[Adidas Originals]]''' was designed to focus on the brand's earlier designs which remained a popular life-style icon; and '''Style Essentials''', which dealt with the fashion market; the main group within this being '''Y-3''' (which is a collaboration between Adidas and renowned Japanese fashion designer [[Yohji Yamamoto]] - the Y representing Yamamoto and the 3 representing the three stripes of Adidas).

''"Adidas is all in"'' is the current global marketing strategy slogan for Adidas. The slogan aims to tie all brands and labels together, presenting a unified image to consumers interested in sports, fashion, street, music and pop culture. There appears to be connection with the phrase "all-in" meaning "exhausted" in some English speaking nations.

Launched in 2004, ''"Impossible is Nothing"'' is one of the company's most memorable campaigns.<ref name="history" /> The campaign was developed by 180/TBWA based in Amsterdam, but significant work was also done by [[TBWA\Chiat\Day]] in San Francisco.<ref name="new brand">{{cite web|url=http://www.adidas-group.com/en/media/news-archive/press-releases/2004/impossible-nothing-adidas-launches-new-global-brand-advertising-/|title='Impossible Is Nothing' Adidas launches New Global Brand Advertising Campaign|publisher=adidas-group.com|accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref> A few years later, Adidas launched a basketball specific campaign -- "''Believe in 5ive''"—for the 2006-2007 NBA season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joannapenabickley.typepad.com/on/2007/06/on-adidas-do-yo.html|title=On: adidas+Do You Believe in 5IVE|accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref>

=== Marketing In India ===
India has been a very speculative market for Adidas. Despite this Dave Thomas, managing director of Adidas in India is ambitious of the country's potential.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortuneindia.com/2016/july/why-adidas-is-cool-again-1.8672|title=Why Adidas is cool again|access-date=2017-05-09|language=en}}</ref> The company hopes to double its revenue from Rs. 805 crores by 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortuneindia.com/2016/july/why-adidas-is-cool-again-1.8672|title=Why Adidas is cool again|access-date=2017-05-09|language=en}}</ref> In 2015, the company had signed [[Ranveer Singh]] a prominent Bollywood actor as a brand ambassador to the company's products.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.luxpresso.com/news-style/bollywood-actor-ranveer-singh-brand-ambassador-of-adidas-originals-in-india/15092967|title=This is What Ranveer Singh & Adidas Originals Have in Store For You|last=Francis|first=Gregory|work=Luxpresso.com|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref> [[Ranveer Singh|Ranveer]] then was a budding actor. The company later decided to use the people's almost religious adoration for the game cricket to promote their brand. It soon launched a new cricket campaign in the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/adidas-launches-new-cricket-campaign-in-india-4799147815_1.html|title=adidas launches new cricket campaign in India|last=indiainfoline.com|access-date=2017-05-09}}</ref> The campaign was called FeelLoveUseHate with prominent Indian cricketer Virat Kohli.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lighthouseinsights.in/adidas-india-feelloveusehate.html/|title=#FeelLoveUseHate: Why Adidas India Is Getting Virat Kohli To Talk About Love And Hate|date=2016-03-18|work=Lighthouse Insights|access-date=2017-05-09|language=en-US}}</ref> However in 2017, Virat Kohli was removed as the brand ambassador of the company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/sports/virat-kohli-removed-as-the-adidas-ambassador/502607/|title=Virat Kohli removed as the Adidas ambassador; Signs up with Gionee|date=2017-01-10|work=The Financial Express|access-date=2017-05-09|language=en-US}}</ref> The cricketer later signed a major deal with Puma India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-signs-rs-100-crore-deal-with-puma-4534297/|title=Virat Kohli signs Rs 100 crore deal with Puma|date=2017-02-20|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-05-09|language=en-US}}</ref> The company also sells its products online through e-commerce websites such as Mynthra, Snapdeal, Jabong and Amazon. Adidas also has a website dedicated to the Indian audience that markets and sells products to its consumers in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shop.adidas.co.in/|title=adidas Official Shop {{!}} adidas|website=shop.adidas.co.in|language=en|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref>

===Game advertisement===
The brand is featured in several games, including [[Amiga|Commodore Amiga]]: ''Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge'', [[Sony PlayStation]]: ''Adidas power soccer'' and Commodore 64, ZX spectrum, Amstrad CPC: ''[[Adidas Championship Football]]''.

===Collaborations===
Collaborations include the [[Jeremy Scott]] and the [[Adidas Yeezy]] project with [[Kanye West]]. On 29 June 2016, it announced a new long-term contract with Kanye West which sees the Yeezy line transform the lifestyle category and enter sports performance products.<ref name="newcontract">{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/5-nba-players-who-should-be-wearing-adidas-yeezy-sneakers-on-the-court-news.22554.html? |title=Adidas announces long-ternm contract with Adidas Yeezys |last=Rooney |first=JKyle |date=29 June 2016 |website=[[Hotnewhiphop]] |access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref>

==Sponsorship==
{{Main article|List of Adidas sponsorships}}

[[File:Germany and Argentina face off in the final of the World Cup 2014 04 crop.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Lionel Messi]], who is sponsored by Adidas, prepares to shoot with his dominant left foot during the [[2014 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]].]]
Adidas has numerous major kit deals with football clubs worldwide, including their main sponsor [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]]. Other clubs include [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]], [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] and [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]]. Moreover, their sponsored national teams include [[Germany national football team|Germany]], [[Spain national football team|Spain]], [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[Sweden national football team|Sweden]], [[Japan national football team|Japan]] and [[Russia national football team|Russia]].

Adidas has sponsored numerous players, including [[Lionel Messi]], [[Zinedine Zidane]], [[Kaká]], [[David Beckham]], [[Arjen Robben]], [[Gareth Bale]], [[Thomas Müller]], [[Xavi]], [[Mesut Özil]], [[James Rodríguez]], [[Steven Gerrard]], [[Paul Pogba]] and [[Manuel Neuer]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2677750/James-Rodriguez-commercial-star-Watch-Colombian-sensations-string-adverts.html|title = James Rodriguez the commercial star: Watch Colombian sensation's string of adverts|last = Popilevych|first = Hanna|date = 2 July 2014|work = Daily Mail|accessdate = 25 July 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/adidas-crazylights-real-madrid-superstar-3252051 "Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale shows off the lightest football boot ever made"]. The Mirror. Retrieved 4 June 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.independent.ie/woman/celeb-news/the-face-of-ten-celebrities-who-have-earned-big-bucks-from-endorsements-29958509.html "The face of... Ten celebrities who have earned big bucks from endorsements"]. Independent. Retrieved 26 July 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/behind-the-scenes-at-the-new-adidas-advert-6736668.html "Behind the scenes at the new Adidas advert"]. London Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 May 2014</ref>

Adidas is one of the official sponsors of the [[UEFA Champions League]], and the [[Adidas Finale]] is the competition's official match ball.<ref name="adidas Finale Munich"/> Along with the aforementioned [[Adidas Predator]] boot, Adidas manufactures the [[adiPure]] range of football boots. Adidas provides clothing and equipment for all teams in [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS).

In July 2014, Adidas and Manchester United agreed to a ten-year kit deal, beginning with the [[2015–16 Premier League|2015–16 Premier League season]]. This kit deal has a guaranteed minimum value of £750&nbsp;million (US$1.29&nbsp;billion), making it the most valuable kit deal in sports history, and replaced rival [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] as the club's global equipment partner.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester United plc reaches agreement with adidas|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2014/Jul/Manchester-United-plc-reaches-agreement-with-adidas.aspx|publisher=ManUtd.com (Manchester United F.C.)|accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Andy murray crop.JPG|thumb|right|160px|[[Andy Murray]] endorsed Adidas from the start of the 2010 season until the end of the [[2014 Andy Murray tennis season|2014 season]] receiving US$4.9&nbsp;million per year.]]
In November 2009, World Number 4 [[Andy Murray]] was confirmed as Adidas' highest-paid star with a five-year contract reportedly worth US$24.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/andy_murray_signs_head-to-toe_deal_with_adidas/ |title=Andy Murray signs head-to-toe deal with Adidas |publisher=SportsProMedia |date=4 November 2009|accessdate=10 October 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101025093032/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/andy_murray_signs_head-to-toe_deal_with_adidas/| archivedate= 25 October 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref> In [[Cincinnati]], at the [[Association of Tennis Professionals|ATP Tennis Tournament]] in Mason, they have also sponsored the [[Ball boy#Tennis|ball-boy and ball-girl]] uniforms. Adidas is also partners with Malibu Tennis Camp, Green Fitness GmbH and with Schöler & Micke Sportartikel Vertriebs GmbH.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adidas.com/com/pages/company-info/partners/|title=adidas Partners|website=www.adidas.com|access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref>

Adidas has sponsored numerous basketball players past and present like [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] and [[Tracy McGrady]], as well as [[Chauncey Billups]], [[Derrick Rose]], [[Brandon Knight (basketball)|Brandon Knight]], [[Eric Gordon]], [[Josh Smith]], [[Damian Lillard]], [[Andrew Wiggins]], [[Tim Duncan]], [[Jeremy Lin]], [[Iman Shumpert]], [[John Wall (basketball)|John Wall]] and [[Nick Young (basketball)|Nick Young]]. Adidas endorsed [[Kobe Bryant]] with the Adidas Equipment KB8 as his first signature shoe until July 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://assets.espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0715/1405908.html |title=Kobe and Adidas part ways after six years |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=5 January 2012}}</ref> The company also endorsed [[Kevin Garnett]] until he opted out of his contract in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicekicks.com/2010/05/kevin-garnett-to-leave-adidas-for-anta/ |title=Kevin Garnett to leave Adidas for Anta |publisher=nicekicks.com |accessdate=5 January 2012}}</ref> [[Gilbert Arenas]] was an Adidas endorser until 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/15/gilbert-arenas-adidas-dea_n_425601.html |title=Gilbert Arenas' Adidas Deal Up in Flames |work=Huffington Post |accessdate=5 January 2012 |date=15 January 2010}}</ref> In August 2015, [[James Harden]] left Nike for Adidas by signing a 13-year contract reportedly worth US$200&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web|title = James Harden agrees to $200 million shoe contract with Adidas|url = http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rockets/2015/08/13/james-harden-adidas-shoe-contract/31634809/|website = USA TODAY|accessdate = 5 November 2015}}</ref>

In [[rugby union]], Adidas is the current kit supplier to the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|All Blacks]], the [[France national rugby union team|France national team]], the [[Italian national rugby team]] and the South African [[Stormers]] and [[Western Province (rugby team)|Western Province]] rugby union teams among others. Adidas is also the [[New Zealand Rugby Union]] clothing sponsor and supplies clothing to all [[Super Rugby]] franchises, a selection of domestic teams and national referees. Adidas are also the official match ball supplier to the [[Heineken Cup]]. Adidas was the [[British and Irish Lions]] kit supplier from 1997 to 2013. They are the jersey manufacturers of the [[Gold Coast Titans]] Rugby League club in the Australasian [[National Rugby League]]. Dual rugby and league international and former boxer [[Sonny Bill Williams]] is a global ambassador for Adidas.

Adidas has provided [[field hockey]] equipment and sponsors numerous players of Germany, England, Netherlands, Australia, Spain and Belgium. The company has been the kit provider of Argentine [[Argentina women's national field hockey team|women's]] and [[Argentina men's national field hockey team|men's]] teams for over 15 years.<ref>[http://www.cahockey.org.ar/noticia/renovacion-del-contrato-con-adidas/882 "RENOVACIÓN DEL CONTRATO CON ADIDAS"] on CAH website, 13 April 2012</ref> The company also sponsored clubs [[Reading Hockey Club|Reading]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.readinghockeyclub.org.uk/ |title=Reading Hockey Club sponsored by Adidas |publisher=Reading Hockey Club |accessdate=5 January 2012}}</ref> [[Beeston Hockey Club|Beeston]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beestonhockeyclub.com/ |title=Beeston Hockey Club sponsored by Adidas |publisher=Beeston Hockey Club |accessdate=5 January 2012}}</ref> and [[East Grinstead Hockey Club|East Grinstead]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=East Grinstead Hockey Club. |url=http://www.eghockey.co.uk/ |title=E.G. Hockey Club sponsored by Adidas |accessdate=5 January 2012}}</ref>

In [[ice hockey]], Adidas signed an agreement with [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) to be the official outfitter of uniforms and licensed apparel, starting in the 2017–18 season. Adidas will replace [[Reebok]] as official provider.<ref>[https://www.nhl.com/news/adidas-to-become-official-nhl-outfitter-in-2017-18/c-779133 Adidas to become official NHL outfitter in 2017-18] by Dan Rosen / NHL.com, 15 September 2015</ref>

Adidas' [[cricket]] sponsorships include cricketers [[Virat Kohli]], [[Lasith Malinga]], [[Kieron Pollard]], [[Dwayne Bravo]] and [[K. L. Rahul]].

==Rivalries==
In 2016, it had filed lawsuits against [[Skechers]], one for making a duplicate Stan Smith design, and another for Adidas replicas such as "Springblade".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/adidas-files-another-lawsuit-against-skechers-for-blatantly-copying-their-products-news.22784.html? |title=Adidas files lawsuit for Skecher's replicas |last=Rooney |first=Kyle |access-date=11 July 2016}}</ref>

==Corporate information==

===Current executive board===
* CEO: [[Kasper Rørsted]]
* Chief Financial Officer: Robin J. Stalker
* Global Brands: Eric Liedtke
* Global Operations: Glenn S. Bennett
* Global Sales: Roland Auschel

===Former management===
* CEO (1993–2002): [[Robert Louis-Dreyfus]].
* CEO (2002–2016): [[Herbert Hainer]]

===Financial information===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Financial data in millions of euros'''<ref name="AR2016"/>
! Year
! 2006
! 2007
! 2008
! 2009
! 2010
|-
| [[Revenue|Sales]]
| 10,084
| 10,299
| 10,799
| 10,381
| 11,990
|-
| [[EBITDA]]
| 1,078
| 1,165
| 1,280
| 780
| 1,159
|-
| [[Net income]]
| 483
| 551
| 642
| 245
| 567
|-
| [[debt|Net debt]]
| 2,231
| 1,766
| 2,189
| 917
| 221
|}

==Criticism==
Adidas's business practises/[[ethics]] and commitment to worker welfare have been scrutinised and often criticised.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thetyee.ca/News/2008/06/11/OlympicLabour/ |title=Tyee – Homepage |publisher=Thetyee.ca |date=11 June 2008 |accessdate=26 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0308-03.htm |title=News & Views |publisher=Common Dreams |date=8 March 2002 |accessdate=26 September 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100929193658/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0308-03.htm| archivedate= 29 September 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref>

===2011 All Blacks replica rugby jersey pricing controversy===
[[File:Allblack-whitewashed.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The All Blacks jersey caused controversy.]]
Unhappy with the local price of the Adidas replica All Blacks jersey, New Zealand-based [[All Blacks]] fans have asked for price cuts and begun purchasing the jersey from overseas vendors after it was revealed that the local price of $NZ220 was more than twice the price offered on some websites.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/5410579/Adidas-stands-by-All-Blacks-jersey-price |title=Adidas stands by All Blacks jersey price |work=The Dominion Post |location=NZ |date=8 August 2011 |accessdate=8 August 2011 | first=Kent | last=Blechynden}}</ref>

Adidas has responded by enforcing cross-border agreements to stop overseas retailers from selling to New Zealand residents. It has been labelled a public relations disaster by leading New Zealand PR firms and Consumer advocate groups. The largest New Zealand sportswear retailer [[Rebel Sport]] has stated it is angry and is considering selling the All Blacks Jerseys to the general public below cost.

===2012 "shackle" sneakers===
On 14 June 2012, Adidas posted on their Facebook page a picture of a pair of [[Jeremy Scott]]-designed shoes containing shackles. The picture was of a planned shoe line that Adidas intended to release in July. The photo quickly caused controversy including that of [[Jesse Jackson]] who was quoted as saying "The attempt to commercialize and make popular more than 200 years of human degradation, where blacks were considered three-fifths human by our Constitution is offensive, appalling and insensitive".<ref name="Shackles">{{cite news|last=Solomon|first=Jessie|date=19 June 2012|title=Adidas cancels 'shackle' shoes after outcry |work=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/18/us/adidas-shackle-shoes/index.html?hpt=hp_c2|accessdate=19 June 2012}}</ref> Jackson threatened a boycott, and NBA commissioner [[David Stern]] was at one point reportedly contacted in hopes that he would intervene.<ref name="Shackles" /> Shortly after the outcry, the company canceled the product.<ref name="Shackles" />

===Sweatshops and labour rights violations===
Adidas has been criticized for operating [[sweatshops]], particularly in Indonesia. Between 2006 and 2007, Adidas rejected many of its suppliers that supported unions for subcontractors with less reputable labour rights records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oxfam.org.au/explore/workers-rights/adidas |title=Adidas |publisher=[[Oxfam|Oxfam Australia]] |accessdate=11 November 2011}}</ref> By subcontracting work to different suppliers, it is more difficult for Adidas to ensure company labour standards are enforced. Workplace standards that Adidas' policy upholds include the freedom for workers to take part in [[collective bargaining]] and a non-retaliation policy towards workers who express concerns.<ref name="sustainability">{{Cite web|url=http://www.adidas-group.com/en/sustainability/suppliers_and_workers/code_of_conduct/default.aspx |title=Our Workplace Standards |publisher=Adidas |accessdate=11 November 2011}}</ref> In practice, however, many of Adidas' suppliers have not upheld these standards. At the Panarub factory in [[Java]], 33 workers were fired after striking for better pay in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oxfam.org.au/explore/workers-rights/adidas/inside-adidas-indonesian-factories#workers |title=Inside Adidas' Indonesian Factories |publisher=[[Oxfam|Oxfam Australia]] |accessdate=11 November 2011}}</ref> PT Kizone is another Indonesian factory where Adidas has received criticism over treatment of workers. They produced products for Adidas as well as [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] and the [[Dallas Cowboys]] until they closed in January 2011. 2,686 workers who were laid off are owed $3 million in severance pay and benefits. Nike has contributed $1.5 million but Adidas has not acted. A campaign has been initiated by United Students Against Sweatshops calling for universities to cut contracts with Adidas.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/24/business/students-object-to-use-of-sweatshop-labor-on-college-clothing.html?pagewanted=all |title=Students Battle a Dallas Cowboys Unit Over College Apparel |work=The New York Times |date=24 September 2011 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |first=Steven |last=Greenhouse}}</ref> On 16 July 2012, [[War on Want]] organised activists in London to replace Adidas price tags in sports stores with 34p ones,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waronwant.org/component/content/article/17607 |title=Adidas rocked by price tag protest over workers' rights |date=17 July 2012 |publisher=War on Want |accessdate=27 December 2012}}</ref> a reference to the low hourly wage rate paid to the Indonesian workers who make Adidas goods.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16843 |title=Adidas criticised for 'sweatshop' Olympic merchandise |date=16 July 2012 |publisher=[[Ekklesia (think tank)|Ekklesia]] |accessdate=23 August 2012}}</ref> The campaign group [[Labour Behind the Label]] claimed that the basic pay of Indonesian Adidas workers was only £10 a week. William Anderson, head of social and environmental affairs for the Asia Pacific region, posted an entry on the company blog in which he sought to justify the 34p an hour pay rate.<ref name="poverty">{{cite web |url=http://blog.adidas-group.com/2012/07/%E2%80%9Cpoverty-wages%E2%80%9D-in-the-sporting-goods-industry-what-does-this-mean/#more-6238 |title='Poverty Wages' in the sporting goods industry – What does this mean? |last1=Anderson |first1=Bill |date=10 July 2012 |work=adidas Group blog |publisher=Adidas |accessdate=23 August 2012}}</ref>

In April 2014, one of the biggest strikes on mainland [[China]] took place at the [[Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings]] Dongguan shoe factory, producing amongst others for Adidas.<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1486399/yue-yuen-strikers-vow-continue-until-benefit-contribution-deficit-paid Yue Yuen strikers vow to continue until benefit contribution deficit paid in full], South China Morning Post, 18 April 2013.</ref>

===Environmental record===
For years, Adidas purchased paper for its packaging from [[Asia Pulp & Paper]], the third largest paper producer in the world, which was labeled as a "forest criminal" for destroying "precious habitat" in Indonesia's rainforest.<ref name="Paper Giant Pledges to Leave the Poor Rainforest Alone. Finally. Asia Pulp & Paper—the notorious destroyer of pristine tiger and orangutan habitat—says it's changing its ways.">{{cite web |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |url= http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/02/asia-pulp-paper-greenpeace-indonesia-rainforest |title=Paper Giant Pledges to Leave the Poor Rainforest Alone. Finally. Asia Pulp & Paper—the notorious destroyer of pristine tiger and orangutan habitat—says it's changing its ways. |accessdate=27 November 2013}}</ref> In 2011, when Adidas cancelled its contract with [[Asia Pulp & Paper]], [[Greenpeace]] Executive Director [[Phil Radford]] commended Adidas for efforts made towards forest protection, for "taking rainforest conservation seriously."<ref name="Hasbro Turns Over a New Leaf, Steps Up for Rainforests">{{cite web |work=[[Huffington Post]] |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-radford/hasbro-turns-over-a-new-l_b_1071252.html |title=Hasbro Turns Over a New Leaf, Steps Up for Rainforests | author=[[Phil Radford]] |accessdate= 27 November 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Germany|Companies}}
* [[Adidas Originals]]
* [[List of Adidas sponsorships]]
* [[List of swimwear brands]]
* [[Puma SE]], formed by [[Rudolf Dassler]], brother of [[Adolf Dassler]]
* [[TaylorMade-Adidas|TaylorMade Golf]], a golf brand owned by Adidas

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* {{cite web |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/30237 |title=Adidas Golf USA moves to Carlsbad; Adidas faces legal suit |date= 19 August 1998 |work=Sports Business Daily |accessdate=22 October 2010}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Taylor-Made-Golf-Co-Company-History.html |title=Taylor Made Golf Co |work=FundingUniverse |accessdate=22 October 2010}}
* {{cite news |title=Taylor, Adidas merge, reshuffle : Hiring of Callaway official for key post could trigger lawsuit |first=Mike |last= Freeman |newspaper=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |page=C.1 |date=19 August 1999 |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sandiego/access/1246929281.html?dids=1246929281:1246929281&FMT=ABS |accessdate=22 October 2010}}
* {{cite news |url=http://www.sdbj.com/news/2001/may/14/profile-mark-king-is-finally-settling-back-in/ |title=Profile: Mark King, Taylor Made For His Job |first=Denise T. |last=Ward |date=14 May 2001 |work=[[San Diego Business Journal]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110083554/http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/board-management-changes/10623278-1.html |archivedate=10 January 2011 |accessdate=22 October 2010}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{official website|http://www.adidas-group.com/}}
* [http://www.adidas.com/ Adidas Worldwide brand website]
* [http://www.adidas.ru/ Adidas Russia Website]

{{Adidas}}
{{Running Shoe Brands}}
{{DAX companies}}

[[Category:Adidas| ]]
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Kim Jong-un

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