adidas Celebrates Brotherhood in the Big Easy for NBA All-Star's First-Ever Visit to New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- adidas is bringing something for every basketball player and fan at NBA All-Star 2008 in New Orleans later this month. As the Official Outfitter of the NBA, adidas will continue to celebrate the game with a variety of new footwear launches, custom all-star jerseys and apparel, ultimate fan experiences and a special event bringing NBA All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups and Antawn Jamison together with 24 kids from the adidas and PeacePlayers New Orleans Life-skills/Athletic Program.

"The NBA All-Star is basketball's pinnacle event showcasing the world's best athletes coming together in the ultimate brotherhood experience," said Lawrence Norman, adidas Vice President, Global Basketball. "As the Official Outfitter of the NBA, it allows the adidas brand the unique opportunity to strengthen our 'Basketball is a Brotherhood' message on the world's biggest basketball stage. We are proud to be able to come to New Orleans to help promote the game of basketball and to give back to the great city of New Orleans."

adidas and PeacePlayers New Orleans Life-skills/Athletic Program

In June 2007, adidas committed to work with PeacePlayers International (PPI) to launch the first PPI United States operation in New Orleans, La. The partnership came about after both companies saw a glaring need for sporting opportunities and life-skills development post Katrina. PeacePlayers International is working with adidas and local partners to implement a multi-sport athletic program accompanied by an interactive life-skills curriculum for 10-16 year-old boys and girls throughout Greater New Orleans. The life skills program will focus on literacy, leadership, healthy living and conflict resolution. In addition, PPI will continue working with local partners to identify, train and employ local youth coaches to serve as instructors and leaders.

adidas and PeacePlayers New Orleans Life-skills/Athletic Program -- Basketball is a Brotherhood Event

To celebrate this program adidas and PPI have teamed up to bring Basketball is a Brotherhood to life and help celebrate what everyone can bring to the game by putting young players side by side with the world's best athletes. Two dozen kids from the adidas PeacePlayers New Orleans Life-skills/Athletic Program will descend on to the adidas court within the All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to meet Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups and Antwan Jamison. The All-Stars will provide advice and guidance for both on and off court topics as they get to know the young ball players on a personal level while playing the game they all love.

"We have been working closely with adidas for the past nine months to create a sustainable program in New Orleans. This event is a dream come true for the kids involved," said Brendan Tuohey, PeacePlayers International Executive Director. "We hope that this experience will stay with them forever."

Basketball is a Brotherhood is at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16 on the adidas basketball court inside the NBA All-Star Jam Session (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center).

adidas All-Star 2008 Product

As the Official Outfitter of the NBA, adidas is launching a number of All-Star specific apparel products commemorating the event. The highlight of this amazing collection will be the official Eastern Conference and Western Conference uniforms of the 2008 NBA All-Star game. The 2008 NBA All-Star uniforms were inspired by the uniqueness of New Orleans, the look and feel of the French Quarter, and the wrought iron architecture that is distinctive to the city. The back of the jerseys are silver for the East and gold for the West to represent the conference colors. Also available to fans in New Orleans and around the world are specially designed adidas Performance and Originals Pro Model footwear packages.

Created by the adidas design team, the adidas NBA All-Star uniforms incorporate adidas ClimaLite technology, which allows for optimal temperature management, keeping the players fresh and cool during the action. The color scheme will be consistent with the footwear: white/red/gold for the West and white/red/blue for the East. The new style and color scheme will be present on all shorts, shooting shirts, pants, track jackets and other official adidas and NBA All-Star apparel collections. The jerseys and adidas NBA All-Star apparel will be on sale at the NBA Store at Jam Session, NBA All-Star stores throughout New Orleans, Champs on Canal (at the Sheraton Hotel) and selected adidas retailers globally.

The adidas Pro Model shoe, which was launched more than four decades ago, has long been considered one of the industry's most iconic and loved basketball shoes. On Wednesday Feb. 13, adidas is set to launch globally both a new on-court version, the adidas Team Signature Pro Model, and the classic original adidas Pro Model with a specially designed limited edition All-Star design.

The adidas Team Signature Pro Model, will be the third installment of the Team Signature collection. adidas Team Signature products are a representation of the best technologies and fabrications adidas Basketball has to offer. The adidas Team Signature Pro Model will be featured in two distinct color schemes, both hooking back into the 2008 NBA All-Star game jerseys: white/red/gold for the Western Conference and white/red/blue for the Eastern Conference.

Accompanying the on court shoes will be the classic adidas Originals Pro Model. Looking to honor the Brotherhood of the past, the adidas Originals team has created an All-Star specific adidas Originals Pro Model. This limited edition adidas Pro Model will come in two colorways: gold/red for the Western Conference and silver/blue for the Eastern Conference.

NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas

As one of the main focal points of NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas provides fans the once in a lifetime experience of participating in the NBA All-Star excitement. Fans have the opportunity to meet and collect free autographs from NBA Players and Legends and see some of their favorite NBA players, mascots, dance teams, and celebrities. Jam Session is non-stop basketball action where fans can shoot, slam, dribble and drive all day, compete against their friends in skills challenges, or get basketball tips from NBA Players and Legends.

Within NBA All-Star Jam Session, adidas will feature a 17,000 square foot fully interactive brand and fan experience. Fans will have the opportunity to jump on the adidas court to take part in a variety of events and exhibitions including, but not limited to a 3-on-3 Brotherhood challenge court, vertical jump stations, a 360 degree shooting area and photo opportunities with life-size replicas of adidas athletes.

The NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from Feb. 14-17. For event times and schedule visit, http://www.NBA.com/jamsession.

NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service

On Feb. 15, adidas will participate in the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service -- the largest single-day effort made by the NBA Family in its ongoing support of rebuilding New Orleans. adidas will sponsor the KaBOOM! Playground build at the Mahalia Jackson School along with 750 volunteers who will build two play structures. adidas employees will join the more than 2,500 people attending NBA All-Star 2008, including every All-Star player and participant, former players, NBA business and media partners and guests, and roll up their sleeves to participate in one of 10 service projects throughout the city.

The adidas All-Star Digital Experience

Whether you are in New Orleans or not, you can keep up to date with what the adidas Brotherhood has going on by texting allstar to adidas (234327) for around the clock updates ranging from adidas events taking place around New Orleans to new products launching. For those who want to get the full adidas All-Star experience, they can visit http://www.adidasbasketball.com and take in the look and feel of all adidas has going on in New Orleans with access to videos highlighting All-Star products and adidas athletes.

About adidas

adidas has been providing innovative products for the world's best athletes for more than 50 years, from past NBA Legends to today's superstars, such as Gilbert Arenas, Chauncey Billups, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard and Tracy McGrady. On April 11, 2006 adidas and the National Basketball Association signed an 11-year global merchandising partnership making the adidas brand the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the NBA Development League (D-League) beginning with the 2006-07 NBA season.

     Travis Gonzolez -- adidas Public Relations
     (o) +1.971.234.2305
     (c) +1.503.504.8602
     travis.gonzolez@adidas.com

     Matt Dianella -- adidas/Hill & Knowlton
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     (c) +1.310.874.8299