adidas Basketball's Global GM, Eric Wise, Resigns

Eric Wise, adidas Basketball Global General Manager, has taken to LinkedIn to announce he's leaving the Three Stripes after 8.5 years at the brand. His resignation follows an impressive showing at NBA All-Star Weekend 2025 – including the unveiling of the Dame X, Damian Lillard's 10th signature sneaker.

"[I]t’s time for me to step into my next chapter. I’m beyond grateful for the experiences, the challenges and most importantly the people who have made this journey so special," he shared on LinkedIn. "[a]didas isn’t just a company - it’s a global culture, a community and a place where creativity and innovation push boundaries every day."

Wise held various positions at the Three Stripes since joining in March 2016. During his tenure, he worked on merchandising with retail partners and assisted with the U.S. growth of adidas Originals, the category that's hosted collaborations with Pharrell Williams and Bad Bunny. The last four years, however, were dedicated to adidas Basketball's Global business. Although widely behind the scenes, his work hadn't gone unnoticed by both industry folks and the public, with the "Remember the Why" campaign that relaunched the segment having won awards from One Club for Creativity, the D&AD Awards, and the Clio Award.

"I’ve learned so much here - the power of collaboration, the importance of staying true to a brand’s DNA while pushing for the future and how sport, style and purpose intersect in ways that inspire millions around the world," Wise continued on LinkedIn.

adidas Basketball will surely feel the loss of its Global GM, but it's got a lot to look forward to. Anthony Edwards' AE 1 continues to dominate sales figures. If the Minnesota Timberwolf continues to be a force on the hardwood, future products in his signature series are sure to move. Jerry Lorenzo's Fear of God Athletics could also play a bigger role in the Three Stripes' hoops business, especially as it outfits NCAA squads from Indiana University, the University of Miami, the University of Kansas.

Nathan VanHook, adidas Basketball's Vice President of Design, will surely continue to work with his team to continue innovating on both the performance and lifestyle fronts. Tracy McGrady recently took to Instagram Stories to share a photo of the latest care package he received from the German sportswear giant, suggesting he's working with the brand again. The move suggests Wise's departure had been planned for.

Still, handfuls of former colleagues expressed a mixture of surprise and gratitude under Wise's announcement.

"Love you, E! You certainly made the business & most of all the culture much better than you found it. Super proud & inspired by what you achieved! Excited for your next adventure, my friend," shared Lizabeth Callow, former Senior Director of Foresight, Trend, and Cultural Insight at adidas.

"Forever the GOAT and my most favorite leader I've ever had the pleasure of working with in my career ! Everything you ever touched in product has always become gold ! You made huge impact on your run at the 3 Stripes can't wait to see you shine brighter in your next chapter Eric !," wrote Melanie Robbins, Marketplace Merchant at Foot Locker.

"It was a pleasure working with you and the team on Honoring Black Excellence during your time, hope we can work together again some day," expressed Ephraim Johnson, Brand Communications Manager for adidas Purpose.

Wise hasn't publicly shared about what he'll be up to next, but netizens have already suspected that he's switching over to Nike Basketball. While his resignation announcement states that he'll be cheering his former Three Stripes squad from "the sidelines," it's possible the Swoosh had its target set on someone who left such an impact on adidas' hoops business, especially as it looks to reposition Nike Basketball as the undisputed leader on performance and lifestyle fronts.

We'll just have to wait to see what happens next.