Adidas is a German multinational corporation which designs and manufactures sports shoes, clothes and accessories. Founded 95 years ago, in July 1924, the Company has grown to become the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second largest in the world. Here is a look at some unknown facts about this age old brand.
Unknown facts about Adidas
1) Adidas was formed due to the sibling rivalry between brothers, Adolf Dassler and Rudolf Dassler, reaching its boiling point. The brothers split their family company, Gebrüder Dassler, as well as all of its assets and formed two different companies. Adolf formed the company Adidas, while Rudolf established PUMA, which became Adidas’s biggest rival.
2) The founder of Adidas, Adolf “Adi” Dassler, initially had no intention of starting a sports shoes company. In fact, Adi Dassler had completed a baking apprenticeship prior to starting the Company.
3) The iconic three stripes on Adidas products were originally created by a Finnish company, Karhu Sports. Adidas bought the rights from this company in the year 1952 by paying € 1600 and two bottles of whisky.
4) The first shoe Adidas ever made had track spikes, curated specifically for track and field.
5) The Company entered the world of sports apparel when it launched its first tracksuit in the year 1967. The first tracksuit was named after the legendary German footballer Franz Beckenbauer.
6) There is a park in Boston called Adidas Park, where people only wear Adidas shoes. Anyone wearing anything other than Adidas shoes runs the risk of having their shoes snatched and hung on the park’s “tree of shame.”
7) Former football player David Beckham has a lifetime endorsement deal with Adidas. In 2003, Beckham signed a deal for $ 160.8 million with Adidas to become its brand ambassador for the rest of his life.
8) Adidas has a policy of terminating any sponsorship with any athlete who has ties with the American religious group, Scientology.
Adidas, with an annual revenue of € 21.915 billion, is famous for its innovative designs and gained popularity with the younger generation.
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