Playing the Game

This history of Adidas, one of the world's most innovative global companies, looks beyond the trademark three stripes to show how the company grew and evolved over time. For nearly a century the Adidas brand has been outfitting sports stars and pop culture icons as well as everyday men, women, and children. What started as a German shoe store that gifted Jesse Owens the sneakers he wore in the Olympics has grown into a multibillion-dollar lifestyle brand. The story of that evolution, which is entwined with history, corporate trends, and the emergence of sports as a major player in the world economy, is revealed in this in-depth look of the Adidas brand. From familial infighting and the Third Reich to globalization and the importance of branding, readers of this book will learn the story behind the Adidas brand.