The world’s biggest football stars meet the world’s smallest football teams, in adidas’ new football campaign for 2008, a film project called "Dream Big".

Rather than focusing on the big football superpowers for UEFA EURO 2008™, adidas instead shifts the attention to lesser known football teams with the notion that anyone can "Dream Big", no matter what their ranking. Kaká, Messi, Gerrard and Beckham are amongst the all-star group of footballers that were sent out on missions to Andorra, San Marino and the Isles of Scilly (UK) to inspire and coach local teams. The results celebrate the true meaning of ‘Impossible is Nothing’.

A small number of young boys and girls were selected by 180, adidas’ advertising agency, in each of the three locations to take part in what they thought was a straightforward documentary about football - and were totally unaware of the star players’ involvement. This surprise element led to some extraordinarily charming and real moments between players and kids.

Competition between two sports goods giants, Nike and Adidas, has moved to a different arena – a Shanghai court. Nike is suing its German competitor, and Chinese football star Zheng Zhi.

At a hearing held Tuesday, Nike Sports (China) Co Ltd told Shanghai No 1 Intermediate People's Court that Adidas and Zheng --captain of the Chinese football team and a midfield player with England's Charlton Athletic -- had harmed its interests, English-language China Daily reported Wednesday.

Nike said Zheng was seduced by Adidas who promised more money and wore Adidas products and attended its publicity events while working as a brand ambassador for Nike.

It is seeking eight million yuan (1.14 million U.S. dollars) in compensation from the two.

But the accused parties said Nike broke its contract with Zheng due to nonpayment.

"Nike had withdrawn a similar suit accusing Adidas of unfair competition for lack of evidence," Jiang Xian, the attorney of the28-year-old football player, was quoted as saying.

On July 1, 2003, Nike signed a contract with Zheng in a bid to build its image in China. The contract, which was to expire at the end of last year, said Zheng should wear Nike products on any public occasion and attend publicity events of Nike.

Adidas can prevent other companies using two stripes on the shoulders of their shirts, even though Adidas branding has three stripes.

The European Court of Justice ruled that "the mere fact that the relevant section of the public establishes a link between the two is sufficient". The case was brought in the Netherlands by Adidas against C&A, H&M, Marca Mode and Vendex.

The long history and reputation of Adidas appears to have been a factor. Lawyers say that other manufacturers may struggle to take advantage of this ruling, because few types of branding have as long a history and reputation as Adidas' three stripes.

Shares in German sports goods maker Adidas rose as much as 3 percent on Monday, with traders citing market talk of takeover interest from U.S. rival Nike. Rumours say the company might be mulling a takeover bid for German rival Adidas, but a spokesman for Nike declined to comment. He said the company does not comment on market rumours.

'The rumour is a rehashed older rumour and I really don't think there is much to it,' a Frankfurt-based trader said earlier today, after shares of Adidas rose in reaction to the speculation.

Pony International announced the re-launch of the famous footwear company once known for iconic performance and creativity with "Back In the Game," a clever marketing campaign designed to return the once category leader back to prominence.

"The Pony brand has always been a classic. From its incubation on the streets of New York to the way it once ran the floors of professional arenas. We're eager to show the world that Pony is once again 'Back In the Game,' commented Pony CEO Kevin Wulff. "From the form and function upgrades we've made to our products, to our new marketing campaign, we are now delivering on all cylinders."

Born in Brooklyn in 1972, Pony quickly became the premier sports brand of the 70's and 80's with legendary pitchmen such as Muhammad Ali, Dan Marino, Reggie Jackson and Pele.

Nike and Umbro today announced that Steve Makin, Chief Executive Officer and Board member of Umbro Plc, has decided to leave the company. Effective immediately, Makin will be succeeded as President and CEO by Matthew Cook, who most recently was General Manager of Nike Italy.

Makin joined Umbro in July 2006 as Chief Financial Officer, a position he held until June 2007 when he became Chief Executive. Prior to Umbro, Makin served at Asda and Wal-Mart from 1991 holding a number of financial and non-financial roles, including a two-year posting to Germany as Wal-Mart’s Commercial Finance Director. With the completion of Nike’s acquisition of Umbro effective today, Makin decided the time was right to make a transition.

TOFFS, the old fashioned football shirt company launched their new website today. Take a look HERE.

Formed way back in 1990…Alan Finch recreated Arsenal’s classic 1949/50 gold cup final shirt. The process then was to purchase a small piece of cotton drill from the local department store, Fenwick, and then buy a Dylon dye.

Then proceeded to dye the white drill cotton gold, take the fabric to a local dressmaker with a pattern from an original Arsenal shirt and get Joyce the dressmaker to make it up!  Good at art, Alan then drew a badge on a piece of cardboard and walked nervously into the Arsenal Commercial Offices to pitch the idea. They loved it! Why wouldn’t they?!

CNBC's premiere of their in-depth look at the history of Nike and its cultural attachment with society is set to hit a television near you on February 12th. A trailer from the inaugural episode address' the campaign behind "Just Do It", the slogan that would go on to become a house hold phrase around the world.

The Swoosh is one of the world's most instantly recognisable logos and is seen adorning countless trainers and items of sportswear. Yet the emblem, which became the basis for the multibillion-dollar Nike brand, was designed by a little-known university student named Carolyn Davidson who charged Nike just $35 for her design.