Robbie Lawler and Luke Rockhold today signed landmark head-to-toe deals with Adidas Combat Sports, the combat sports division for training equipment and clothing for Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Lawler and Rockhold are the first athletes in history to join Adidas Combat Sports in a major, long-term athlete partnership.
Robbie Lawler and Luke Rockhold sign landmark multi-year deal with Adidas Combat Sports
“We are delighted to formally renew our partnership with Robbie Lawler and Luke Rockhold,” said Christophe Dessalles Director General – Managing Director, and Worldwide Master Licensee for Adidas Combat Sports. “2014 was a year of tremendous global growth for Adidas Combat Sports throughout Europe, The America’s, Russia, the Middle East and Austral-Asia, and we look forward to further market expansion over the next three years with Lawler and Rockhold as the faces of the Adidas MMA brand.”
Adidas Combat Sports’ two-star athletes, Lawler and Rockhold will wear the iconic three stripes from head-to-toe. Lawler and Rockhold also will use Adidas gear in their daily training regimen, including MMA competition gloves, MMA sparring gloves, heavy bags, focus mitts, training pads, wraps and gear bags.
“At this point in my career I can’t say how much I appreciate being able to represent, and having the sponsorship support of Adidas Combat Sports,” said Robbie Lawler.
“There’s not a brand in the world I would rather represent from head to toe than the three stripes of adidas Combat Sports,” said Luke Rockhold. “The adidas team is great to work with, they all train hard, and work even harder to help us get what we need when we need it. Working with them has been a dream, and I look forward to helping grow the brand over the next few years.”
With more than 65 distributors in 72 countries, Lawler and Rockhold represent Adidas to millions of people worldwide, showcasing Adidas Combat’s superior line of training gear and clothing.
Last year, Adidas Combat Sports engaged both Lawler and Rockhold in a traditional sponsorship agreement. Due to their strong commitment, superb representation, and a resulting spike in sales, Adidas nullified the initial agreement in favor of the long-term athlete partnership deal that was reached today.
“Robbie and Luke’s tremendous professionalism and dedication to Adidas Combat Sports over the last year resulted in a tremendous jump in our Q4 2014 sales,” said Scott Viscomi, Managing Director of Adidas Combat Sports USA. “We’re already a year ahead of our revenue goals. Robbie and Luke engage in the promotion of Adidas combat like they do in their own training. They have been a force in establishing adidas in the combat sports market so quickly. We are pleased to have this deal in place, a result of a true team effort between ACS USA and Chris McGuire and his marketing team at adidas HQ in Portland, David Martin and Ed Soares on the talent side, and again, Luke and Robbie themselves. 2015 will be a massive year for adidas Combat Sports.”
In celebration of their new roles with adidas Combat Sports USA, Lawler and Rockhold will appear in New York City this Thursday, February 19 at the East Coast MMA Fight Shop on Orchard Street in the Lower East side from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
Lawler holds the highest welterweight championship title in MMA. He is the best athlete in the 170 lb. weight class. Originally from San Diego, Calif., Lawler shocked fans in December of last year when he captured the belt from Johny Hendricks following a thrilling five-round competition. A true comeback story for the record books, Lawler’s relentless pursuit for greatness completely embodies the Adidas Combat Sports brand.
Rockhold is a top-ranked 185 lb. contender in mixed martial arts. He is the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and blue belt and purple belt World Jiu-Jitsu Champion. A black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Rockhold ascended to the world’s premier MMA organization in May 2013 and has since won four out of his five fights. He faces his toughest test to date when he takes on former champion Lyoto Machida Saturday, April 18, a bout that will be televised live nationally on Fox Sports 1 (FS1). A champion in the making, Rockhold represents the element of class, style, and poise that is synonymous with the Adidas brand.
In addition to Lawler and Rockhold, Adidas Combat Sports will soon sign major U.S. boxers to expand further the Adidas combat sports brand.
For more information about Adidas Combat Sports USA, please visit www.acsgear.com and www.facebook.com/
