The adidas Group mourns the loss of Robert Louis-Dreyfus

The adidas Group is deeply indebted to Robert Louis-Dreyfus. As owner, CEO and Chairman, he led the company and the adidas brand back to the top of the global sporting goods industry with extraordinary skill and great passion. Without any doubt, we owe the excellent market position our company enjoys today in great part to the outstanding legacy of Robert Louis-Dreyfus.

Robert Louis-Dreyfus took over the management of adidas AG as owner, CEO and Chairman in an economically difficult period in April 1993. He initiated the remarkable comeback of the adidas brand with new marketing and sales strategies. In 1995, he led the company’s successful IPO, with listings on the Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges. The acquisition of Salomon including TaylorMade in 1997 marked the start of a new chapter in our company’s history. Together with his business partner Christian Tourres, Robert Louis-Dreyfus drove the internationalization and marketing orientation which characterize our company to this day. As a passionate sportsman, he secured a unique presence for the adidas brand at the world’s major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. It was also during his tenure that the World of Sports in Herzogenaurach was chosen as the location of the Group’s Headquarters.

The lifework of Robert Louis-Dreyfus will always hold an outstanding place in our company’s history. Robert Louis-Dreyfus – the man, the manager and the sportsman – will forever have a place in our hearts.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and to all those who mourn him.

For the Supervisory Board of adidas AG

Igor Landau

Chairman of the Supervisory Board


For the Executive Board of adidas AG

Herbert Hainer

CEO and Chairman