The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Ellen Emmerentze Jervell reports adidas Chair & CEO Herbert Hainer knows that a full turnaround of the company's business "can’t happen overnight," but he still expects its "long-troubled North American division to be profitable by year-end." Hainer "points to fresh interest" in the adidas brand, "highlighting cooperation with music stars Kanye West and Pharrell Williams and a sponsorship deal" with Bulls G Derrick Rose. Hainer: "If you saw how half of the world went crazy about Kanye’s shoe(s) at the [NBA] All Star weekend in New York, you wouldn’t doubt this is helping our brand" (WSJ.com, 5/12).
TEACHING CERTIFICATE: USA TODAY's Nick McCarvel notes a new website "offers class packages with renowned personalities in their respective fields," including tennis player Serena Williams, whose 10-class package "is up for purchase for $90 on MasterClass.com." Williams, who instructs each of the 10 classes on video, said that she "most enjoyed sharing her mental approach to the game." Those who buy Williams' classes "get assignments with each one." The classes "can be watched all at once or -- as the site recommends -- over a staggered period" (USA TODAY, 5/13).
PATRIOTIC PAINT: SPORTING NEWS' Joe Rodgers notes NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus "have unveiled a new patriotic paint scheme for this week's All-Star Race and next week's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte." Designed by a friend of Knaus, the "new-look No. 48 honors service members, including the 14,000 active and retired service members who work for Lowe's." The car will also "don the paint scheme for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona on Independence Day weekend and the Phoenix race in November to mark Veterans Day" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 5/13).
