What Is the Biggest Sports Brand in the World?

A new study has revealed that the world’s biggest sports brand is…(you’ll have to read to find out)!

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Nike

It can be argued that Nike is the biggest sports brand in the world. The company is worth billions of dollars and has endorsement deals with some of the biggest names in sports. Nike also sponsors major sporting events and has a strong presence in the sports world. Let’s take a closer look at Nike and see why they are considered the biggest sports brand in the world.

History

Nike, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and worldwide marketing and sales of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, in the Portland metropolitan area. It is one of the world’s largest suppliers of athletic shoes and apparel[2] and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of US$37.4 billion in its fiscal year 2020 (ending May 31, 2020). As of 2020, it employed 76,700 people worldwide. In 2014 the brand alone was valued at $19 billion,[3] making it the most valuable brand among sports businesses.[4][5] As of 2017[update], the Nike swoosh is one of the most recognizable logos in the world.[6]

Revenue

Nike is the biggest sports brand in the world. In 2019, it generated sales of 32.4 billion U.S. dollars, up from 30.6 billion U.S. dollars in the previous year. Nike’s global brand value was estimated at 32 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, an increase of over three billion U.S. dollars from 2019. The company’s strong performance has made it one of the most valuable brands in the world, with an estimated brand value of 33.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, up from 32 billion U.S dollars in 2019

Sponsorship

In addition to selling high-quality products, Nike also spends a great deal of money on marketing and sponsoring events. Their marketing budget for 2012 was $2.51 billion, and they sponsor some of the biggest names in sports including Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Rafael Nadal. In 2010, Nike’s total revenue was $19.2 billion, making it the largest sports brand in the world.

Adidas

Adidas is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures sports shoes, clothing and accessories. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and the second largest in the world.

History

Adidas was founded in 1924 by Adolf Dassler, in Herzogenaurach, Germany. The company’s name is a combination of the first three letters of Dassler’s last name (Adi) and the first two letters of his nickname (Das).

At the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Dassler equipped Jesse Owens with shoes that greatly enhanced his performance. Owens won four gold medals, including one in the 100-meter dash. After Owens’ historic achievement, Dassler remarked, “You are faster than my shoes.” The statement inspired Dassler to create a line of shoes specifically for track and field athletes.

After World War II ended, Dassler helped start up the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), which is now known as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Adidas has been a long-time sponsor of the IAAF and has provided athletes with gear for many years.

In 1948, Dassler introduced the three stripes that are now synonymous with Adidas. He originally designed them as stabilizers for soccer players’ feet.

In 1949, Dassler’s brother Rudolf founded a competing company called Puma. The two brothers had a falling out and stopped speaking to each other. As a result, their companies became bitter rivals.

Revenue

Adidas AG is a German multinational corporation, headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing and accessories. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and the second largest in the world.

Sponsorship

Adidas has a long history of sponsoring some of the world’s biggest athletes and sporting events. Some of their most notable partnerships include:

-The FIFA World Cup (since 1970)
-The Olympic Games (since 1972)
-FC Bayern Munich (since 1974)
-Manchester United FC (since 1980)
-Stanislas Wawrinka (tennis, since 2005)
-Justin Gatlin (track and field, since 2006)
-Jozy Altidore (soccer, since 2011)
-James Harden (NBA, since 2015)

Puma

History

Puma SE, branded as Puma, is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel and accessories, which is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. It is the world’s third largest sportswear manufacturer by revenue. The company was founded in 1924 by Rudolf Dassler. In 1948, Rudolf and his brother Adolf Dassler had a falling out and split up the company, with Rudolf founding Puma and Adolf Adi-Dassler founding Adidas. Both companies are currently based in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Revenue

Puma SE, branded as Puma, is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel and accessories, originally headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria.

Puma is the third largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. The company was founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler. In 1924, Rudolf and his brother Adolf Dassler had jointly formed the company Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory in Herzogenaurach. The relationship between the two brothers deteriorated until the two agreed to split in 1948, forming two separate entities: Adidas and Puma. Both companies are currently based in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Puma has been a public company since 1986, listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. French luxury group Kering (formerly known as PPR) owns a 32% stake in Puma.

In 2019, Puma’s revenue amounted to almost 5 billion euros. This made Puma the fourth most valuable sports brand worldwide after Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour.

Sponsorship

Puma is one of the biggest sports brands in the world. The company sponsors a number of high-profile athletes and teams, including Usain Bolt, Neymar, Sergio Aguero, and Borussia Dortmund. Puma is also the official kit supplier for a number of national teams, including Italy, Switzerland, and Uruguay.

Under Armour

Under Armour is an American sports equipment company that manufactures footwear, sports, and casual apparel. The company is a supplier of athletic apparel and gear for many professional and collegiate sports teams. Under Armour’s mission is to “make all athletes better through passion, science, and the relentless pursuit of innovation.”

History

Under Armour, Inc. is an American company that manufactures footwear, sports and casual apparel. Under Armour’s global headquarters are located in Baltimore, Maryland with additional offices located in Austin, Houston, Denver, Kansas City, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York City, Charlotte, and San Francisco.

Revenue

In 2018, Under Armour generated around 5.2 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, making it one of the leading sportswear companies worldwide. The company’s revenue has been on a generally upwards trend since its foundation in 1996. In 2017, revenue amounted to around four billion U.S. dollars, followed by a slight drop to just under four billion U.S dollars in 2016 due to challenges in the North American market.

Athletic footwear and apparel sales are the main sources of Under Armour’s revenue. In 2018, around 58 percent of the company’s total revenue was generated by sales of footwear, while apparel sales accounted for approximately 38 percent. Accessories, such as bags and gloves, brought in around four percent of total revenue.

Sponsorship

Under Armour has sponsored many athletes over the years, most notably Stephen Curry, Michael Phelps, Tom Brady, Misty Copeland, Lindsey Vonn and Jordan Spieth. The company has also been a major sponsor of college football and basketball programs. Under Armour’s biggest coup came in 2016 when it unseated Adidas as the official outfitter of the NFL.

Reebok

Reebok is one of the biggest sports brands in the world. It is an American-inspired, global brand that produces and distributes sportswear, footwear, and other products. Reebok is also a subsidiary of Adidas.

History

Reebok was founded in 1895 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, by Joseph William Foster. He was the grandson of a cotton mill owner which had been started by his grandfather in 1817. In 1958, two of Foster’s sons started a companion company called “JW Foster and Sons” which made trainers for Track and Field events. The name “Reebok” was first used as an anagram by one of the sons as a trademark registration application in 1958.

The company began distributing hockey equipment under the “Reebok” name in 1973. In 1979, Reebok launched the Freestyle Hi fitness shoe which was popular with young people and aerobics instructors. The shoe was available in white or black and featured a high-top design, extended ankle support and a padded collar.

In 1984, Paul Fireman, an American footwear distributor, saw an opportunity to market Reebok’s products in the United States. He took over the U.S. distribution rights for $3.5 million and introduced the Freestyle line of shoes to U.S. consumers in 1985. They were an instant success and by 1986 sales had reached $38 million. In 1987, Fireman negotiating a licensing deal with Nike that allowed him to sell Nike products alongside Reebok’s own line of shoes; this arrangement proved to be very successful for both brands

Revenue

coming in at just over $24.1 billion dollars.

Sponsorship

Reebok is one of the biggest sports brands in the world. The company sponsors a wide range of athletes and teams, from well-known professional stars to grassroots community groups.

Reebok has a long history of supporting sport at all levels. The company was founded in England in 1895, originally as a manufacturer of athletic shoes. Reebok has always been committed to making quality products that help athletes perform at their best. In recent years, the company has expanded its focus to include apparel and other gear for a wide range of sports, from basketball to yoga.

Reebok’s sponsorship portfolio includes some of the biggest names in sport, including NFL quarterback Tom Brady, Olympic gold medalist Serena Williams, and global soccer star Neymar. Reebok also has a strong commitment to supporting grassroots athletes and communities through initiatives like its Reebok ONE program. This program provides free or discounted access to fitness facilities and programs for people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in sport.