Adidas and NBA extend partnership

Adidas and NBA All-Star Center Dwight Howard announced on October, 30, 2007 their multi-year partnership extension agreement. The agreement was negotiated by Aaron Goodwin of GSM.

Adidas Press Release:

Adidas and Orlando Magic NBA All-Star center, Dwight Howard, announced a multi-year partnership extension agreement. This partnership announcement continues to signify adidas’ already strong commitment to the sport of basketball and the talented young players that are the foundation and future of the NBA. Howard’s extension agreement was negotiated by Aaron Goodwin of GSM. Terms of this extension were not disclosed.

"Having been part of the adidas family for many years, I was extremely happy to be able to extend my relationship with them," noted Howard. "adidas has always offered me the best products on the market and outstanding service. I look forward to helping grow their basketball business moving forward."

Howard, starting his fourth NBA season, had a break out 2006-07 campaign, while leading the Magic to their first playoff appearance since 2003. He finished the year with career highs in minutes played (3,023), minutes per game (36.9), points per game (17.6) and field goal percentage (.603). Howard led the Magic in points per game (17.6), blocks per game (1.90), rebounds per game (12.30) and minutes per game (36.9). For all his hard work, Howard was named to his first All-Star game in February and finished the season voted All-NBA third team.

"Having Dwight as a member of the adidas Basketball family for many years to come was a major priority for us," stated Jim Gatto, Director of Global Basketball for adidas. "This year Dwight was able to establish himself as a future superstar in the league and key player in the future of adidas’ basketball business."

Currently Howard is a key component of the new adidas Basketball movement, "Basketball is a Brotherhood." "Basketball is a Brotherhood" is the integrated, digitally led marketing and advertising revolution that does something no other brand has done: it allows today’s greatest players to interact and inspire the next generation of athletes, putting them side-by-side on and off the court. This season the consumer will be able to go to www.adidasbasketball.Com and experience adidas Basketball through a series of web episodes and other creative on-line activities that show the true meaning of Brotherhood. "Basketball is a Brotherhood" will introduce the adidas "Team Signature" footwear and apparel collections.
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About adidas

adidas has been providing innovative products for the world’s best athletes for more than 50 years, from past NBA legends to today’s superstars, such as Chauncey Billups, Dwight Howard, Gilbert Arenas, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady.
On April 11, 2006 the adidas Group and the National Basketball Association have signed an 11-year global merchandising partnership that will make the adidas brand the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the NBA Development League (D-League) beginning with the 2006-07 NBA season.

Source: Adidas

Reebok partnership

Reebok wants to growth the presence on the United States market with the help and the presence of Matt O'Toole, a successful leader in the sport industry, who will developp the leadership of the brand on the market.

Reebok International Press Release:

Reebok International announces the appointment of Matt O'Toole as President of Reebok North America, the brand'slargest business unit. O'Toole, whose appointment becomes effective November5, 2007, is currently the President and CEO of Reebok-CCM Hockey, awholly-owned subsidiary of Reebok. In his new role, O'Toole will continue to report directly to Paul Harrington, President and CEO of Reebok. O'Toole, 45,and his family will be relocating from Montreal to Massachusetts in January2008.

"The Reebok brand is experiencing positive momentum in many key market saround the world, including India, China and Russia, and we are committed to fulfilling our growth potential in the very critical U.S. market. I am confident that Matt's strong leadership skills, his ability to build apassionate and experienced team, and his record of success in North Americawill enable us to achieve our goals throughout the region," stated Paul Harrington.

In his new role as President of Reebok North America, O'Toole will beresponsible for all of the region's brand operations, including marketing,product merchandising, sales, finance, operations and owned retail stores. Inaddition to focusing on Reebok's global priorities of running and women's,O'Toole and his team will leverage the brand's existing North American assets,including the partnerships with the National Football League, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball, to help regain Reebok's positivemomentum in the region.

O'Toole has a long and successful track record in the sports industry. As President and CEO of Reebok-CCM Hockey (formerly The Hockey Company), he is responsible for creating the industry's market leader through creativ emarketing, innovative products, strong customer relationships, and anunparalleled partnership with the National Hockey League and hockey's topplayers. During O'Toole's tenure as President of the Company, which began in January 2001, market share has grown to 35%, sales have more than doubled andprofits have increased three-fold. Prior to his current role, O'Toole servedas The Hockey Company's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales (sinceMay 1999). Previously, O'Toole spent ten years with Wilson Sporting Goods andfive years with US Industries' golf division in several senior marketing andsales roles.

A search is currently underway for the new head of Reebok-CCM Hockey, who will continue to be based in Montreal.

Source: Reebok International