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With the acquisition expected to close in the first quarter of 2022, Reebok is poised to become the latest brand snatched up by ABG, joining the ranks of Forever 21, Brooks Brothers, Sports Illustrated, and IZOD, among others.
Jamie Salter, CEO of ABG, spoke publicly regarding his excitement around acquiring the former CrossFit Games sponsor:
“We’ve had our sights set on Reebok for many years, and we’re excited to finally bring this iconic brand into the fold. We look forward to working with the Reebok team to continue their great work and further its position as one of the world’s leading consumer brands.”
Salter also expressed that ABG will maintain some level of brick-and-mortar presence for Reebok in the future.
Reebok’s Rocky Road
In the years since Adidas originally acquired Reebok in 2006 in an attempt to remain competitive against industry giant Nike, Adidas has experienced its own growth in the fitness apparel space, prompting a years-long inclination to offload Reebok.
Although 2020 saw a decline in sales for nearly every apparel company, Reebok has experienced a downward trend — nearly $600 million from 2006 to 2020 — in sales revenue, while Adidas and especially Nike have seen progressive gains.
Adidas Purchase vs. Sale of Reebok
- Purchase (2006) — 3.8B (US dollars)
- Sale (2022) — 2.5B (US dollars)
- Potential Drop in Acquisition Value — 1.3B (US dollars)
[Related: Former Nike Executive Jason Dunlop Named President of CrossFit]
CrossFit went on to award chief sponsorship of their flagship event, the CrossFit Games, to functional fitness apparel brand NOBULL.
For fans of the brand, Reebok’s acquisition by ABG brings a tide of uncertainty regarding the company’s direction and product offerings. Should Adidas and ABG close on their deal next spring, new oversight may reshape Reebok’s identity and presence in the industry to a significant degree.
Featured Image: TY Lim / Shutterstock
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