Horst Dassler

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Horst Dassler (1936 in Herzogenaurach (Germany) - April 9, 1987) is the son of Adi Dassler, who founded adidas. Horst Dassler started adidas France in Landersheim, France, competing against his father's adidas Germany and his uncle's PUMA AG.

Horst Dassler was also responsible, along with Patrick Nally for the founding of "The Club" an exclusive group who uses the money from sports marketing to control international sport.

Horst Dassler is known as the father of sport sponsorship. With the President of FIFA Joao Havelange he saw the potential of harnessing the world wide popularity of football to the interests of big business. Along with Patrick Nally he set about acquiring sponsorships from 'blue chip' companies such as Coca Cola. His business practices had few limits and David Yallop in his book 'How they stole the Game' says his relationship with Havelange was "Drahtzeiter". Dassler was the 'puppetmaster'. Horst Dassler died on the 9th of April 1987. adidas was the largest sports goods brand at the time of his death with a strong relationship with both the International Olympic Association and FIFA - partnerships that continue to this day!!!