adidas and Nike have kind of had reverse history. Nike started with running, made a splash with basketball, then expanded into other sports. adidas also starting with running, but then grew in soccer and tennis before coming for the basketball crown. These are the athletes who have created partnerships with the German brand.
Jesse Owens Wears adidas While Dominating the 1936 Olympics
In 1936, American track and field athlete dominated the Berlin Olympics, right in the face of German Chancellor Adolf Hitler. And the African-American superstar did so in adidas shoes that were given to him before the games.
Emil Zatopek’s Incredible Feat
Czech runner Emil Zatopek had already won three gold medals when he decided to run his first ever marathon at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. Wearing adidas shoes, Zatopek not only won the marathon, he set an new Oympic record.
The German Team Wins the 1954 World Cup, Many in adidas
With adidas being a German company, the brand was popular with football players from the country. Many of those footballers wore adidas on the pitch during their 1954 World Cup victory, helping to propel the brand into the global mainstream.
Soccer Star Franz Beckenbauer Teams with adidas
A star for Bayern Munich for more than a decade, Franz Beckenbauer was one of the most prominent soccer players in the world. In 1967, the center half, also known as the Emperor, signed a deal with adidas and the company produced a signature track suit.
Bob Beamon Makes An Incredible Leap
Bob Beamon shocked the world during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City by breaking the long-jump record with a 29 ft 2+1⁄4 inch leap. Still an Olympic Record (Mike Powell now holds the world record), Beamon accomplished the feat in a pair of adidas.
Rod Laver Gets an adidas Shoe
In 1969, adidas released a signature shoe for Australian tennis superstar Rod Laver. The adidas Rod Laver didn”t quite achieve the cultural impact of the Stan Smith, but has remained a classic shoe to this day and is in the closet of many a sneakerhead.
Stan Smith and adidas Have an Iconic Partnership
The shoe that is now known at the Stan Smith was first made for player Robert Halliet. In the early 70’s, the company added Smith’s picture to the tongue and by 1978, the sneaker was called the Stan Smith. Perfect with so many outfits, the shoe is among the most popular sneakers of all-time.
Billie-Jean King is the First Female to Get an adidas Signature Shoe
By the mid-70s, Bille Jean King had established herself as not only the top women’s player in the world, but as one of the greatest tennis players ever. She signed with adidas and in 1974 the brand release its first signature shoe for a female athlete, the B.J. King.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Gets Signature Shoes
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time and was at his prime in 1977 when he signed a deal with adidas to become the brand’s first basketball player to have a signature shoe. The result was the adidas Abdul-Jabbar Tournament.
The adidas Lendl Competition Drops in 1984
Superstar Czech tennis player Ivan Lendl became the world number one in February, 1983 and saw his Lendl Competition signature shoe be released in 1984. Between 1984 and 1990, Lendl would win eight majors on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
adidas Beat Out Nike for Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing was a phenomenon at Georgetown and brands were salivating when he landed in New York, the nation’s top media market. While Ewing wore Nikes in college, he decided to sign with adidas in the pros, as the company relesed the Attitude Hi.
Steffi Graf Partners With adidas
Martina Naviratilova had long been the cream of the crop in woemn’s tennis and she was a Puma athlete, bit by the late 1980s Steffi Graf was becoming the number one player in the world. adidas nabbed her right around this time, releasing the adidas Steffi Graf in 1987.
Zinedine Zidane and the Predator
When French Football superstar Zinedine Zidane first signed with adidas, he wore the Copa Mundial. But he would later become the face of the brands Predator soccer boot, wearing multiple iterations of the cleat throughout his incredible career.
Dikembe Mutombo and adidas Create an Memorable Shoe
adidas might not have been able to hang onto Patrick Ewing as a basketball pitchman but the company didn’t rest on their laurels. They signed Ewing’s protege Dikembe Mutombo soon after he came out of Georgetown and incorporated his African hetitage into the adidas Mutombo I.
adidas Wins Kobe Bryant in an Upset
Philadelphia high schooler Kobe Bryant became even more high profile when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft night. adidas added Bryant in one of their most high profile signings ever and many of Bryant’s great early moments came while wearing the brand.
The Brand Nabs David Beckham
David Beckham was a megastar for Manchester United, but he was also considered to be a British Cultural icon. adidas was so happy with the partnership, which began in the late 1990s, that they signed the midfielder to a lifetime contract.
The Anna Kournikova Deal Was a Miss
Known for her beauty as much for her talent, Anna Kournikova became a top-ten player of the year in 2000 and adidas signed her to a sizeable deal. It didn’t pay of they way they hoped as the Russian player never reached a Grand Slam final and stopped playing WTA matches in 2003.
T-Mac Brings His High Scoring Ways to the Brand
In 2001, adidas signed first-time All-Star Tracy McGrady to an endorsement deal. They would look smart as T-Mac would go on to make the next 6 All-Star games and win the 2003 and 2004 scoring titles all while weating the three stripes.
Reggie Bush Gets a Pair of Signature Cleats
Nike has typically dominated the football space, but adidas attempted to expand their presence in the NFL by signing Reggie Bush to a deal. Bush was supposed to be a Hall of Fame level player and while he was good, it didn’t necessarily work out that way.
adidas Steals Lionel Messi Away From Nike
Nike might have signed Kobe Bryant away from adidas, but the German brand was able to return fire by adding Lionel Messi to their roster in 2006. The partnership was an obvious hit as Messi reamined the best player in the world for many years.
Derrick Rose and adidas Create an Iconic Partnership
adidas signed Derrick Rose to a deal in 2010 and in 2011, he won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award. His career changed due to a serious knee injury and he lost some explosiveness, but he remained a beloved player and a icon in the sneaker world.
Paul Pogba Helps to Promote the adidas Brand
adidas had the best player in the world in Lionel Messi, but he is more of a quiet superstar. The brand added a much louder presence in 2015 when they agreed to a deal with Paul Pogba. Considered to be among the most fashionable man in soccer, he’s been a great fit.
Another PG Lands With adidas
Point Guard deals had worked for adidas with past players like Derrick Rose, John Wall and Gilbert Arenas. The brand looked to keep it going landing Damian Lillard in 2015. They have released nine signature shoes for the future Hall of Famer.
adidas Lands the NFL’s Best Player
adidas signed Patrick Mahomes to a deal in 2017 before his NFL career had even started. It turned out to be one of the best bets in company history as Mahomes has been in the Super Bowl consistently helping to promote the brand to the mainstream.
Anthony Edwards is a Home Run for adidas
Anthony Edwards singed with adidas shortly after being drafted firs overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2000. The deal has worked out magnicently as Edwards has developed into a star and he recently siugned an extension with the brand.
Travis Hunter Brings His Two-Way Game to adidas
Travis Hunter, a two way player the likes of which don’t come around very often, will take his talents to the NFL in 2025 and he will do so repping adidas. adidas won the bid for the wide receiver/defensive back who won the 2024 Heisman Trophy and will be a top-five pick. .