Adidas is about to do some heavy lifting. This week, Reebok of Canton, Massachusetts, the second-largest U.S. athletic shoemaker with a global reach, accepted an acquisition offer by the world's second-largest sporting-goods maker, Adidas-Salomon AG.

By the first half of 2006, Adidas and Reebok are expected to be under one roof.

According to Bloomberg, Adidas has agreed to purchase Reebok International Ltd. for approximately $3.8 billion (1 x 2004 sales). The offer is 34 percent more than Reebok's closing share price yesterday of $43.95.

Adidas acquisition of Reebok will give the Herzogenaurach, Germany-based company 28 percent of the global $11.5 billion wholesale athletic-shoe market,.

Nike has 31% of this market.

As part of the deal, Adidas will also get Reebok's apparel business, which includes licenses to outfit the National Football League and the National Basketball Association.

In 1979, founder, Chairman & CEO Paul Fireman, took over North American distribution of Reebok, which was named for an African gazelle.

That year, he introduced three new running shoes to the U.S. market.

At $60, they were the most expensive running shoes you could buy.

For the history on the company, go to:

For more of the financial details regarding Adidas' acquisition, go to:

The transaction is subject to the approval of Reebok's shareholders as well as regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, Adidas stated.

David Beckham poses with a keychain memento version of his new Adidas Predator Pulse soccer cleat, during a promotional unveiling of the product at the Adidas retail store in New York, June 1, 2005.

About Reebok International Ltd.

Reebok International Ltd., headquartered in Canton, MA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of sports, fitness and casual footwear, apparel and equipment under the Reebok, Rockport, CCM, JOFA, KOHO and Greg Norman Brands. Sales for 2004 totaled approximately $3.8 billion.

Reebok's Mission

Reebok is a global sports and fitness company with a heritage dating back to 1895.

They are a leader in the design and development of authentic products and services, and they influence the athletic lifestyle trends of the world.

Their mission statement states:

Reebok is a true partner with its customers and is relentlessly committed to their success. Built on a foundation of trust, listening and innovation, we are our customers' most valued resource for quality products and information and the leading authority in sports and fitness.

Our purpose is to ignite a passion for winning, to do the extraordinary, and to capture the customer's heart and mind. Reebok has a fun, energetic culture driven by the value we place on people, our greatest asset. We embrace diversity in its fullest sense. We act with integrity and operate through confident, empowered teams. With courageous leadership, we stay focused on what is most important to our customers. We have a deep-felt commitment to operate in a socially responsible way and we stand for human rights throughout the world.

We are committed to excellence and innovation in everything we do. We demonstrate our excellence by setting exceptional performance standards, which we then achieve through focused perseverance and vigorous execution. Innovation and magical ideas drive our company to create powerful breakthrough products and inspirational marketing and advertising.

Our passion for winning creates our possibilities. We harness the boundless creative energy of every individual to make the differences that count - to captivate the consumer and create an exceptional global brand and organization.

We make a difference:

To our customers
To our employees
To our shareholders
To our athletes
And to the world in which we live

Congratulations Adidas!

May Reebok's mission and Fireman's vision live on!

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "boundless creative energy" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC