Guide Note

Adidas is the second-largest shoe and sportswear manufacturer in the world next to Nike. Adidas is a German company who's signature logo is a three parallel stripe. The company designs shoes and sportswear for men, women, and children.

Fast Facts

1. Founded: 1949
2. Founder: Adolf Dassler
3. Name: Adolf ("Adi") "Das"sler
4. Brother: Puma's Rudolf Dassler
5. HQ: Herzogenaurach, Germany
6. Adidas Group owns Reebok
7. Adidas Gp. CEO: Herbert Hainer
8. Official NBA apparel provider
9. Official FIFA World Cup supplier
10. 2006 revenue: 10.084B euro

History of Adidas

The Adidas sneaker was originated by Adolf Dassler who created a shoe after his time in World War I and with the help of his brother Rudolf Dassler started a business called the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory. While the company was profitable, the brother split and Rudolf decided to start his own company which would eventually be known as Puma. Adolf continued with his business and in 1949 it evolved into the name Adidas. In 1989 the company was purchased by a French businessman named Bernard Tapie and after financial trouble it was sold again to Robert Louis-Dreyfus in 1993. In 1997 Adidas was acquired by the Salomon Group and then sold once again to Amer Sports of Finland.