The bitter feud that led to the creation of the Adidas and Puma sports shoe brands in the same small German town in the 1940s is to be turned into a television series with the help of family archives.

Hollywood film producer No Fat Ego is backing the project, which has the blessing of the family behind the Adidas empire, founded by Adolf “Adi” Dassler.

The series will delve into one of the most interesting sibling rivalries in corporate history, pitting Adi against his brother Rudolf (“Rudi”), who created the rival brand Puma.

The two men ran a family shoe manufacturing company together before falling out during World War II, and their feud after the conflict divided the town of Herzogenaurach to this day.

Screenwriter Mark Williams, creator of the hit Netflix series Ozark, has been hired to lead the project and is currently reviewing home videos and memorabilia from the Dassler family to work on the story.

“Everyone knows the brands, but the story behind them is something we don't fully know,” Williams told AFP at the Cannes Film Festival.
One of the most sensitive topics — especially for the reputation of today's billion-dollar shoe companies — will be how the brothers are portrayed during the war. Both became members of the Nazi party in the 1930s. However, Rudy went to the front and was arrested by Allied forces upon his return to defeated Germany.
“Adi stayed at home and tried to keep the company going,” Williams added.
Their factory was confiscated as part of the war effort and turned into an ammunition factory.
The series promises to be “a ‘Succession’-type drama between members of one family,” Williams said, comparing it to the earlier HBO hit. | BGNES
The feud between Adidas and Puma will be recreated in a television series The bitter family feud that led to the creation of the Adidas and Puma sports shoe brands in the same small German town in the 1940s will be turned into a television series with the help of family archives.Hollywood film producer No Fat Ego is backing the project, which has the blessing of the family behind the Adidas empire, founded by Adolf “Adi” Dassler. The series will delve into one of the most interesting sibling rivalries in corporate history, which pits Adi against his brother Rudolf (“Rudi”), who created the rival brand Puma. The two men ran a family shoe manufacturing company together before falling out during World War II, and their feud after the conflict divided the town of Herzogenaurach to this day.Screenwriter Mark Williams, creator of the hit Netflix series Ozark, has been hired to lead the project and is currently reviewing home videos and memorabilia from the Dassler family to work on the story.Everyone knows the brands, but the story behind them is something we don't fully know," Williams told AFP at the Cannes Film Festival. One of the most sensitive issues — especially for the reputation of today's billion-dollar shoe companies — will be how the brothers are portrayed during the war. Both became members of the Nazi party in the 1930s. However, Rudy went to the front and was arrested by Allied forces upon his return to defeated Germany. “Adi stayed at home and tried to keep the company going,” Williams added.Their factory was confiscated as part of the war effort and turned into an ammunition factory. The series promises to be “a ‘Succession’-type drama between members of one family,” Williams said, comparing it to the earlier HBO hit. | BGNES