13 Facts About Horst Dassler

Horst Dassler founded Arena, a swimwear company, and became chairman of Adidas, and at the time of his death it was the world's largest sporting goods manufacturer with affiliates in 40 nations.

Horst Dassler joined his father's firm in 1960 and founded an Adidas affiliate in Alsace that later became the dominant sporting goods manufacturer in France.

Horst Dassler had been impressed by the performance of Mark Spitz at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Horst Dassler continued to sign athletes to sponsorship deals and by the 1976 Montreal Olympics the "Arena Elite Team" included Mark Spitz, Novella Calligaris, Steve Furniss, David Wilkie, Shirley Babashoff, Gary Hall Sr.

Beyond signing individual athletes, Horst Dassler led Adidas's pioneering drive to sign national sports federations and Olympic committees to exclusive shoe and apparel contracts.

When his mother died in 1984, Horst Dassler assumed the office of chairman, a position he retained until his death.

Horst Dassler responded to the challenge by installing a professional management team at company headquarters to replace family members.

Horst Dassler was known as the father of sport sponsorship.

Horst Dassler proposed obtaining corporate sponsorships for the World Cup and other activities of FIFA.

IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch denied any impropriety, and Horst Dassler, claiming to be motivated solely by good will for the Olympics movement, denied he had a conflict of interest.

Horst Dassler used his contacts to obtain Olympic sponsorship by Coca-Cola and other important companies, and obtained Olympic financing from Monte Carlo banks.

Horst Dassler died on 10 April 1987 from complications due to cancer.

Horst Dassler left behind his wife Monika and two children, Suzanne and Adi.