Adidas lines up golf unit sale

Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer, who in May praised the strong reception the company’s new golf drivers were getting from pros and duffers alike, did an about-face yesterday.

The R15 and AeroBurner drivers are losing the battle to the competition, Hainer said, in announcing that Adidas will seek buyers for some or all of the company’s TaylorMade business.

The focus at first is on finding a buyer for Adams, a sub-brand within the golf unit that makes clubs for beginners, and for Ashworth polos and cardigans. However, Hainer isn’t ruling out exiting the entire business.