Adidas U.S. head Mark King on the NFL, Kanye and opening a store in Portland

In an interview with bizjournals.com, the head of Adidas U.S. discusses key issues surrounding the brand including the NFL, Kanye and a desire to reconnect with the U.S. public.

On Kanye:

 Right now he's at the forefront of cultural icons. We like his strengths and his power and what he represents. There's a massive opportunity.

 On the opening date of the new Brooklyn Design Studio which has been at the centre of a lawsuit between Nike and three former designers who have jumped to Adidas.

The date is this fall. That hasn't changed and won't change. We need design inspiration for the U.S. I don't think long term it will be limited to the U.S.

On the potential of signing up 500 athletes, 250 from the NFL and 250 from MLB:

When a consumer goes to a sporting event we have to be visible, whether it's the NBA All-Star game, a Major League Baseball game, a football game, we've gotta be on the field of play. It's pretty hard to think we're going to be the coolest sports brand in America, which is what we'd love to be, I know that's a dream, when the people playing the games at the highest level don't use your stuff.

On the potential of opening up a new store in Portland.

It's an important market for me. It's confusing to me why we don't have one here. I wouldn't be surprised to see one. 

Check out bizjournals.com for more.