adidas committed to Bay State, CEO says

On the two-year anniversary of his company’s $3.8 billion acquisition of Reebok International Ltd., adidas AG’s chief executive, Herbert Hainer, said the company remains committed to its Bay State presence.

But he revealed that his Super Bowl loyalties are split.

‘‘From a sports side, I do believe the Patriots will win because they have a tremendous season behind them,’’ Hainer said. ‘‘From a commercial aspect, the New York market is bigger than the Boston market.’’

But since both teams will wear Reebok uniforms, he said, ‘‘one team will win — adidas Group.’’

Hainer, speaking at Boston College’s Chief Executives Club, said adidas plans to expand its Canton campus, contingent on Reebok increasing its business. He did not offer specifics.

Reebok expects declining US sales this year but is aggressively expanding its international presence and by 2010 expects to have more than 2,000 stores in India, China, and Russia.

Hainer said the company plans to bring the Reebok brand back to its roots, calling it an ‘‘American-inspired sports brand’’ that helped to establish the athletic shoe market for women and casual exercisers.

And if the Patriots win the Superbowl, he added, he will give coach Bill Belichick — known for wearing the same slouchy grey sweatshirt — a new one.
(By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe staff)