Adidas to Elect Egyptian Billionaire Nassef Sawiris as Supervisory Board Chairman
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Adidas plans to nominate Egyptian billionaire investor Nassef Sawiris as chairman of its Supervisory Board following the company's Annual General Meeting scheduled for May 7, 2026.
The Supervisory Board has agreed to propose Sawiris for re-election to the board for an additional three-year term. If approved by shareholders at the meeting, the board intends to elect him as chairman immediately afterward.
Sawiris would succeed Thomas Rabe, whose term as chairman will conclude at the close of the upcoming Annual General Meeting.
The Egyptian businessman has been a member of Adidas' Supervisory Board since June 2016 and has served as deputy chairman since 2025. His appointment as chairman would represent a notable shift in the governance of one of the world's largest sportswear companies, further strengthening the influence of a major long-term shareholder at the board level.
In a statement regarding the nomination, Sawiris highlighted the opportunities ahead for the global sportswear brand.
"I am delighted about my nomination for the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board of adidas AG. In a time when there are still huge opportunities for our company in a very attractive industry, it is particularly important to me to take an active part in shaping the future of adidas together with my Supervisory Board colleagues and the Executive Board. I greatly appreciate the achievements of Bjørn and his team so far, and I am looking forward to continuing our close collaboration as we jointly guide adidas into its next chapter. Already today, I would like to thank Thomas Rabe on behalf of all Supervisory Board members for his long-standing leadership, the trustful collaboration, and his achievements for the company."
Beyond his role at Adidas, Sawiris is one of the most prominent investors in global sport. He is a co-owner of Premier League club Aston Villa F.C. alongside Wes Edens and has backed multiple sports and entertainment ventures. His investment footprint extends across the broader sports ecosystem, including stakes connected to Madison Square Garden Sports and involvement in athlete development initiatives such as Right to Dream, the global football academy network that operates across Africa, Europe, and North America.
His expected appointment comes at a time when major global sportswear companies are navigating shifting consumer trends, increased competition, and growing intersections between sport, entertainment, and investment capital.
Source: Adidas
