Adidas
Adidas was founded on August 18, 1949, by Adolf “Adi” Dassler following his legendary split with brother Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler. Together they ran a pioneering footwear company for nearly 30 years before parting ways following World War II. Their breakup is one of the most legendary stories in athletics — and created one of its biggest rivalries. Rudolf went on to found Puma. Both companies remain based in the Dasslers’ hometown of Herzogenaurach.
Adidas is now a multinational giant providing cutting edge athletic wear and fashion and lifestyle products in every major market across the globe. Since its inception, football/soccer has been a core focus, resulting in one of its most enduring hit shoes, the Samba. Originally designed by Adolf in 1949 for football players to wear on icy fields, the Samba has grown into an icon worn by generations of fans. Another core item in its Classics collection is the Stan Smith, which traces its origins to the tennis court in 1965. After facing a financial crisis in the early 1990s, Adidas transformed into a marketing-driven company under then-CEO Robert Louis-Dreyfus. The strategy was a winner. Adidas went public in 1995 and over the years has cemented its place in the culture through partnerships with athletes such as Lionel Messi, David Beckham and James Harden, as well as musicians, models, actors and fashion designers, including the highly controversial Kanye West.
Adidas
3,000 Consumers Sound Off on Athletic Footwear Brand Preferences: Who Came Out on Top?
Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance top many categories in new UBS global survey that includes brand awareness…
StockX Finds Mizuno as the Fastest Growing Sneaker Brand of 2025 and Predicts a Big 2026 for Bad Bunny and Adidas
Learn more finding's from StockX's annual report here.
3,000 Consumers Sound Off on Athletic Footwear Brand Preferences: Who Came Out on Top?
Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance top many categories in new UBS global survey that includes brand awareness…
WWD Recommends
What to Watch: Which Athletic Footwear Brand Will Race to the Top in 2026?
Here is what to know about the state of the athletic market as another year commences.
We Found the Sold-Out Adidas x Sporty & Rich Sneakers at Ssense — Where They’re Going for Just $50
Convinced this is some kind of early April Fools' joke? Think again.
The Biggest Footwear CEO Changes of 2025
Puma, Converse, REI Co-op and more footwear companies hired new chief executive officers this year. Meet the…
7 of the Biggest Layoffs to Hit Footwear in 2025
Adidas, Nike and Puma were among the companies that cut jobs in 2025.
7 of the Biggest Layoffs to Hit Footwear in 2025
Adidas, Nike and Puma were among the companies that cut jobs in 2025.
Steph Curry Exits Under Armour, NikeSkims Debuts and More of 2025’s Surprise Sneaker Partnership Moves
Including the end of blockbuster partnerships and high-profile crimes.
9 of the Biggest Footwear Legal Dramas of 2025
While trademark complaints made up the bulk of the legal dramas this year, other disputes made headlines as…
9 of the Biggest Footwear Legal Dramas in 2025
While trademark complaints made up the bulk of the legal dramas this year, other disputes made headlines as…
Gwyneth Paltrow Pairs Lacoste Tracksuit in ‘Marty Supreme’ Orange With Adidas Sneakers for ‘Seth Meyers’
She changed into Louboutins for the interview.
Trinity Rodman Brings Pharrell’s Vegas-exclusive Blue Jellyfish to Adidas’ World Cup Shoot in Madrid
The Washington Spirit forward and Olympic gold medalist worked the Virginia Adistar Jellyfish with a…
How the Partnership Between Fear of God and Adidas Might Have Unraveled
Jerry Lorenzo confirmed their deal will end at the close of the year.
Connecticut Woman to Be Sentenced for Role in Operation That Sold $4 Million in Counterfeit Goods on Facebook Live
The 37-year-old New Britain resident is due back in court in March.