Adidas athletes: A list of the most influential athletes sponsored by Adidas

Have you ever wondered who Adidas athletes are? The prestigious company sponsors many famous athletes, including NBA star Stephen Curry, Tom Brady, and MLB player Bryce Harper, among others. And while some might presume that the company only sponsors athletes, that's far from it; it also sponsors supermodels like Gisele Bundchen.

In 2011, the most prominent sports brands paid famous athletes to endorse their items; of course, Adidas was no exception. Legendary players like Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and LeBron James are all Adidas affiliates. Is there something like lifetime Adidas athletes? Can Adidas athletes wear Jordans? Let's find all that out right here.

Top 10 Adidas-sponsored athletes

Like other sports apparel companies, Adidas sponsors famous athletes to carry the brand and gain a massive boost in its popularity and merchandise sales. In other words, it is more of a win-win "scratch my back I scratch your back" situation.

Boasting a broad horizon of endorsers, they partner with superstars across all sports, paying them up to hundreds of millions of dollars, a hefty reward meant to complement these athletes' talents, achievements, and influence among consumers.

10. Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian-born soccer player Mohamed Salah is one of the soccer players sponsored by Adidas. The Liverpool superstar and one of the sport's most decorated players is the icon of the German-based sports brand's attempt to dominate the African markets.

9. Zinedine Zidane

Hailing from France, Zinedine Zidane became famous for steering his country to winning the 1998 World Cup against Brazil and the 2000 European Championship against Italy. He is most recogniszd for his superb ball control and extraordinary vision on the pitch.

Adidas eyed the talented Zidane and took advantage of his popularity, partnering with him throughout his career. Even though he is a retired soccer player, he found immense success as a manager and continued to be part of the three-stripped company.

8. Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell's name never used to ring a bell until his tremendous breakthrough in 2017, when he became part of the Utah Jazz. He then became integral to the team's playoff run for two consecutive years and won the NBA Slam Dunk King contest as a rookie.

Following his apparent success, Adidas might have felt the need to act quickly, signing Spida under a multi-year contract in 2017, worth $5-$15 million per year.

7. James Harden

James Harden is regarded as one of the best all-around NBA players and prolific scorers. He often generates nearly triple-doubles in every outing. An example of that is when he won the 2018 NBA regular season MVP and his 10x NBA All-Star, and 6x All-NBA First Team selections.

In 2015, Adidas snatched him from Nike after successfully signing "The Beard" under a 13-year contract amounting to $200 million. His deal is among the most notable deals that the company has ever secured in recent years.

6. Paulo Dybala

Formerly sponsored by Nike, Paulo Dybala currently dons the Adidas Copa soccer cleats, placing him among the most prominent names carrying the brand in the football world. The Argentine and former Juventus attacker signed with the company prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

5. Ana Ivanovic

And just when you thought the list was male-dominated, meet Ana Ivanovic, a Serbian-based female tennis star. She wore the three stripes for a long time in her professional career and continues to do so even after retiring from competitive tennis in 2016.

The famous tennis star penned a lifetime partnership with the German brand and continues to join initiatives and programs by the company, including its recent promotion of an eco-friendly clothing collection. She is among the top female Adidas athletes.

4. Derrick Rose

Flaunting the Chicago Bulls uniform, Rose made waves in the NBA after being the youngest MVP in the league's history in 2011. While others saw Derrick Rose, Adidas saw an up-and-coming Michael Jordan and penned a $180 million 14-year sponsorship deal with him.

Additionally, he had other benefits, such as access to a private jet and donations to organizations. He is among the best NBA Adidas athletes today.

3. David Beckham

What is this list without the legendary former football player David Beckham? The outstanding midfielder is renowned for his charismatic persona on and off the pitch. His terrific performance during his stint with Manchester United and Real Madrid made him a genuine asset for the German sports brand.

He inked his lifetime contract with the brand, worth $160 million; by then, it was one of the biggest sponsorships deals the company had ever penned.

2. Damian Lillard

In 2012, after Adidas acknowledged Damian Lillard's potential, they immediately signed the Portland-based Trail Blazers point guard for an endorsement deal after he won the NBA Rookie of The Year Award.

Later in 2014, he extended his contract to a 10-year period, which amounted to $100 million. This deal ultimately made him one of the highest-earning NBA players then.

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1. Lionel Messi

Highly regarded as one of the greatest football players in the world, his success and popularity enabled him to ink one of the most lucrative sponsorship deals in the sports world. He has been associated with Adidas since 2006, and in 2017, he penned a lifetime deal with the company.

While the size of the contract is still under covers, it is alleged that he earns around $27 million annually from the company without even lifting a finger.

What soccer players are sponsored by Adidas

Adidas, the German brand, has always been present in football history. It has signed with famous former soccer players such as:

Like other prestigious sports brands such as Reebok, Nike, Puma, and Under Armour, Adidas' athletes are renowned for their endorsement deals and how far they often go in endorsing particular products. Besides, these deals often enable athletes to close million-dollar deals and help promote the products of billion-dollar corporations.

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