The Weltklasse Zurich meeting belongs to the six meetings of the IAAF Golden League and is known for its unique atmosphere and well-informed audience. The IAAF-Meeting-Evaluation has voted Weltklasse Zurich as the best track in the world 12 times since 1988. Last year, the meeting was televised in more than 150 countries.

“We are very excited about the partnership with the best track meeting in the world,” said Pascal Rolling, PUMA’s International Running Marketing Manager. “We will not only strengthen our brand’s positioning with this sponsorship, we will enlarge it.”

“We welcome PUMA as a new sponsor to our meeting”, says meeting director Hansjörg Wirz. “We are delighted to collaborate with a company that will bring new ideas and promote the meeting to a broader audience.”

Over the years several PUMA athletes have made their mark in Zurich like Americans Renaldo Nehemiah and Evelyn Ashford along side Jamaican Merlene Ottey – with 17 participations in the meeting and overall eight victories, she is one of the darlings of the public. To date there have been 23 world records state in Zurich.

Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman, PUMA AG: “The PUMA Board of Management is convinced that PPR, as one of the world’s top fashion and retail companies will be the perfect partner for PUMA, one of the world’s leading Sportlifestyle companies. Both companies have a European background and ideally complement each other with regard to their global perspective. With the support of PPR, we plan to strengthen our position as the leading company in the Sportlifestyle market with a continued focus on long-term sustainable growth.

The PUMA Board of Management unanimously believes that PPR’s engagement is in the best interests of the company and that the announced offer price per share of EUR 330 for the voluntary public take-over offer is fair. Based on a preliminary fairness opinion issued by Lehman Brothers and subject to review of the offer document, the Board of Management will recommend the offer to the PUMA Shareholders.

Last year PUMA strengthened its external design portfolio through a partnership with Alexander McQueen, which included a jointly-launched Footwear collection. Along with other top designers, McQueen is also part of the PPR Group. Going forward PUMA can utilize PPR’s premium segment design and sourcing expertise, contributing to the further improvement of PUMA’s product offering. Additionally, PPR’s experience in worldwide retail, wholesale and multi-brand management will provide valuable support to PUMA’s brand expansion plans.

In a “Letter of Intent“ to the PUMA Board of Management, PPR has emphasized its strong interest in PUMA and assures its solid confidence in the company as well as its full support regarding the implementation of the Phase IV goals of PUMA’s long-term development plan.

Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO and Chairman of PPR: “PUMA is one of the leading Sportlifestyle companies in the world. The successful expansion strategy as well as the long-term growth potential of PUMA complement the PPR portfolio perfectly. We guarantee PUMA’s continuity as an autonomous company within the PPR Group and we will support the management with our resources and our know-how in strengthening PUMA’s unique brand positioning.

In the context of the planned transaction there will be no changes with regard to staffing. The PPR Group acknowledges and fully supports that the current board, management and employees of PUMA will continue to work on the successful implementation of the company’s strategy. The employees of PUMA have contributed importantly – with their passion, their creativity and their continuous innovation – to the success of PUMA. The “Letter of Intent” of PPR furthermore states that these corporate values will be ensured in the future. Additionally, all PUMA locations including headquarter locations in Herzogenaurach, Hong Kong and Boston will retain their full independence.

“It is impressive to see what Borussia Dortmund has achieved in recent years – both in sports and as a business,” said Bjørn Gulden, CEO of PUMA. “We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the club, not just as a sponsor but for the first time as a shareholder, and we will work together to reach our common goals. As one of the top clubs in Germany and Europe, Borussia Dortmund is the perfect fit for PUMA, increasing its brand awareness on a national and international level.”

“Borussia Dortmund is proud to have gained such a renowned global company like PUMA as a strategic partner, a sports company that operates at high social and ethical standards and has demonstrated sustainable interest in sponsoring Borussia Dortmund,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, Managing Director of Borussia Dortmund. “Due to its positive energy and national and international appeal, Borussia Dortmund will be a true partner. This partnership brings not only financial benefits for Borussia Dortmund, but we are also looking forward to intensive networking with our innovative sponsor in Germany and abroad.”

PUMA has been Borussia Dortmund’s technical partner since July 2012, providing official playing kits for all associated Borussia Dortmund teams, including the senior mens and youth teams as well as replica kits, fanwear and other merchandise.

Bjørn Gulden, CEO of PUMA says: “Time makes or breaks athletes, which is why the right partner for watches and wearables is particularly critical to our brand. We are pleased to team up with Fossil Group, whose strong focus on innovation will help us make products that fit the needs of our consumers and the world’s fastest athletes.”

“PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands. We are excited to partner with them and bring our world class design and distribution capabilities to the PUMA watch collection,” said Kosta Kartsotis, CEO of Fossil Group.

The new products will be available, amongst others, through select department stores, specialty retailers and e-commerce channels in Fossil Group’s extensive global network.

PUMA's previous collaboration for PUMA watches with MYWA Swiss Watch & Jewelry ltd ended in December 2016.