"Adidas AG is an international company, founded and also headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, that designs as well as makes shoes, clothes and accessories. It is the biggest sportswear supplier in Europe, and also the 2nd largest worldwide, after Nike. It is the holding company for the Adidas Team, which includes the Reebok sportswear firm, 8.33% of the German football club Bayern Munich, as well as Runtastic, an Austrian physical fitness technology business. Adidas' revenue for 2018 was noted at EUR21.915 billion.

The firm was started by Adolf Dassler in his mom's residence; he was joined by his older sibling Rudolf in 1924 under the name Dassler Brothers Footwear Manufacturing Facility. Dassler aided in the growth of spiked running shoes (spikes) for multiple athletic contests. To enhance the top quality of spiked athletic footwear, he transitioned from a previous version of heavy metal spikes to making use of canvas and rubber. Dassler encouraged UNITED STATE sprinter Jesse Owens to use his handmade spikes at the 1936 Summertime Olympics. In 1949, following a breakdown in the relationship in between the brothers, Adolf produced Adidas, as well as Rudolf developed Puma, which came to be Adidas' service rival.

Adidas' logo is three stripes, which is utilized on the company's apparel and also footwear designs as an advertising help. The branding, which Adidas bought in 1952 from Finnish sports company Karhu Sports for the matching of 1600 euros and also 2 containers of whiskey, became so successful that Dassler described Adidas as "" The three stripes company""."