Merrill Lynch has advised on its biggest deal so far for Adidas-Salomon. It is sole adviser on the German sportswear giant's €3.1bn ($3.8bn) agreed takeover of US rival Reebok. Merrill won its first Adidas mandate three years ago. Reebok is being advised by regular bankers Credit Suisse First Boston.
Merrill's first Adidas mandate was as adviser on a €75m purchase of a 10% stake in Bayern Munich, the German football club in 2002. It also advised on the the €485m sale of the Salomon skiwear unit to Finnish rival Amer Sports in May this year.
