Reebok Officially Free from Adidas - Time to Come Back to Football?
Adidas’ sale of Reebok was officially finalized last week. The Three Stripes paid $3.8 billion for Reebok back in 2006 and have now sold the brand to Authentic Brands Group (ABG) for approximately $2.5 billion. Here we take a look at what that means for the brand who used to be a force in football.
What Next For Reebok?
Now that they are now longer a subsidiary of Adidas, Reebok will have more freedom to operate. Through their new ownership by ABG, they have lined up new partnerships with JD Sports, Foot Locker and New Guards Group to help expand their global distribution network. The Reebok Design Group, based in Boston, will be the central hub of all product design and creation, although their new partners will also have a say in these matters, depending on what is best for their market.
“So now, getting to embrace sport more and having the freedom to work with whoever we want around the world, these are the liberties, so to speak, that we haven’t had over the last few years.”
Complex recently did an interview with Todd Krinsky, senior vice president and GM of product at Reebok, and Nick Woodhouse, president and GMO of ABG, in which the two men discuss in detail how these partnerships will work, and the extent of the input the partners will have.
A Return to Football?
One of the most interesting points of the interview was when Krinsky and Woodhouse discussed the importance of their new partners in the decision making and design processes for local markets.
“And I think anyone would agree to sit in Boston or in London or whatnot and make a decision for Hong Kong or Shanghai or Calgary for that matter, is probably not a good long-term strategy”.
It seems as though Reebok will be very open to communication and collaboration with these new partners on products and ranges made available in different parts of the world.
“If there’s a separate European range that is needed for footwear, for apparel, they’ll (partners) work with Todd on creating that range.”
These comments suggest that JD, Foot Locker and New Guards Group would hold quite a lot of sway in the Reebok products they will be selling, so could these partners convince Reebok to get back into the football market?
It would certainly be profitable for them. If JD Sports and Foot Locker were the exclusive retailers of Reebok football apparel, and Reebok signed a Premier League team, there would be a lot of money to be made on the sale of shirts, training and lifestyle gear. With Reebok’s reputation and status as an “athletic lifestyle brand”, combined with the ongoing trends of throwback kit references and the mixing of football and streetwear, they could surely slot back into the game with ease.
“We’re one of the few brands—and you know the other ones—that can play in sport, can be on the field to play on Saturdays and Sundays and then can also have a rich heritage with classics.”
John Salter, CEO of ABG has ties to Botafogo owner and Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor, who has already spoken of the brand’s desire to make a comeback to the sport, potentially with his Brazilian side. Businessmen love scratching each other’s backs, so could a Reebok deal with Botafogo lead to the brand also signing Palace?
While this is all speculation for now, the timing could be right for them to start thinking about a possible move back to a sport where they were once a major player. Free from the shackles of Adidas, they can get back to doing things on their own terms.
Would you like to see Reebok make a comeback to football? Let us know in the comments.
Portugal Players to Wear Special Diogo Jota Tribute Bracelets at 2026 World Cup
The Portugal national team will wear special tribute bracelets throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup in memory of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away last summer. The initiative comes from Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who personally gifted the custom accessories to the players and staff ahead of the tournament.
Each custom bracelet features the individual player's name alongside Diogo Jota's name, serving as a constant reminder of their late teammate. The squad is set to keep the bracelets on during all of their matches in the World Cup, honoring Jota's legacy on the biggest stage in international football.
Manchester United 26-27 Third Kit Leaked - 7 New Pictures
Footy Headlines can now leak 7 new pictures of the Manchester United 26-27 third kit. Although it is a fake, the design is identical to the real one.
The Manchester United 26-27 third kit is inspired by the Lancashire rose and pays homage to the Salford Lads Club, incorporating design elements from the club's entrance signage.
The kit is mainly off-white with dark green and maroon accents, featuring a Lancashire rose pattern on the shirt and shorts, and a bespoke sign-off badge on the back collar with 'Manchester United Football Club' text.
EXCLUSIVE: Adidas To Release 'Chaos vs Control' Boots Pack - 2026 World Cup Finals?
Adidas will release a new 'Chaos vs Control' soccer cleat pack on July 8. The Adidas Chaos vs Control pack might serve as a special 2026 World Cup boots pack, with a timing that would be perfectly placed to capitalize on the tournament's peak stages as the knockout rounds get underway.
We have no further details about the Adidas Chaos vs Control pack yet, but the name suggests a striking two-sided design concept, representing the two opposing boots - Predator & F50 Hyperfast.
The Adidas Chaos vs Control pack will be available from Wednesday, July 8.
What are you expecting from the new Adidas cleat pack? Let us know in the comments below.
