ADIDAS AND RICK AND MORTY TEAM UP TO UNLOCK MULTIDIMENSIONAL SPEED WITH X SPEEDPORTAL

· The new X SPEEDPORTAL boot launches with an original Rick and Morty animation featuring Earth's favourite dimension-surfing duo as they experiment with the power of multi-dimensional speed

· The new boot has been designed to unlock speed in all dimensions

· X SPEEDPORTAL will be available from today via adidas.com football boots and selected adidas stores and retailers.

Today, with the help of the universe's most brilliant scientist, Rick Sanchez, and his grandson, Morty Smith, adidas unlocks new dimensions of speed for the players of Earth with the introduction of X SPEEDPORTAL - the latest innovation from its X speed boot franchise.

Having travelled the universe together in search of adventure, Rick and Morty bring their discovery to our reality in a new original animation as they experiment with the possibilities of multidimensional speed with X SPEEDPORTAL with some expert assistance from Mo Salah and Vivianne Miedema.

Every detail of X SPEEDPORTAL has been designed for the fastest players whilst remaining supremely comfortable, helping them unlock speed in all dimensions.

"If one thing's for certain in modern football, it's that the game is getting faster and faster. Faster attacks, faster reactions, and faster athletes. But 'speed' itself is also changing with the times. Top speed linear sprints used to dominate the game. In 2022, speed is multi-dimensional, encompassing mental quickness, positioning, space creation, and more," said Franziska Aurnhammer, Senior Product Manager at adidas.

First introduced in 2020 on adidas's game-changing X GHOSTED boot, adidas's innovative SPEEDFRAME technology has been updated with a lightweight sole plate designed for unreal acceleration. The all-new multidimensional stud design gives players grip to get moving in any direction.

With so much speed, players need a boot that's also stable, supportive, and keeps the foot locked in place. For this, adidas has created a new high-speed stability system which provides support, fit, and lockdown. The boot features a stability wing and support cage which keeps players feet locked in so they can play with absolute freedom when moving fast and changing direction.

Finally, the top-spec (P+) boot's outer SPEEDSKIN 2.0 is a laceless lightweight upper for step in comfort and more direct ball contact. Designed to provide comfort for the full 90, the new SPEEDSKIN 2.0 will be available in laceless (P+) and laced (P1) models, creating a seamless connection between boot and foot.

Franziska Aurnhammer, Senior Product Manager at adidas added: "With X SPEEDPORTAL we listened to what some of the fastest players on the planet wanted from their boots. It was clear that the mental element of speed was just as important as the physical, which is why it was so important to create a boot that not only supports explosive movement, but also allows players to enter a flow state where movement is fast and autonomous. The result is a boot that unlocks multidimensional speed for the fastest players on the planet."

The boot's launch campaign includes a 90 second original film from the creators of Rick and Morty, featuring the latest escapade from Earth's favourite dimension-surfing duo and a selection of iconic players.

In the film, the animated world meets the real world as Rick and Morty experiment with the possibilities of multi-dimensional speed using X SPEEDPORTAL, with a little help from Mo Salah and Vivianne Miedema. The full campaign video can be watched via the Adult Swim YouTube channel here.

"This 90 second short is as funny as anything Rick and Morty and as fast as whatever Rick must have put into this boot," said Michael Ouweleen, president of Adult Swim. "It's a collaboration that could only happen in a multiverse, and Rick, Morty, Mo Salah and Vivianne Miedema are the (fever) dream team you never knew you needed to see."

As part of adidas' journey to help end plastic waste, X SPEEDPORTAL is the first X-series boot to contain zero virgin polyester. Furthermore, at least 50% of the boot's upper is made with recycled materials, with no compromise to performance.

The boot comes in a Portal Fluid Green colourway and will be available from 280€/$ (P+) and 250€/$ (P1) from July 19th via adidas.com, and selected adidas stores and retailers.

For further information please visit adidas.com/football or follow @adidasfootball on Instagram or twitter to join the conversation.

About adidas in Football

adidas is the global leader in football. It is the official supplier of the most important football tournaments in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup(TM), the UEFA European Championship, the UEFA Champions League & Major League Soccer. adidas also sponsors some of the world's top clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, FC Bayern Munich & Juventus, as well as top Federations such as Germany (DFB), Spain (RFEF), Belgium (RBFA), Argentina (AFA) & (as of January 2023) Italy (FIGC). adidas is also partner to some of the best athletes in the game including Leo Messi, Paul Pogba, Mohamed Salah, Paulo Dybala, Karim Benzema, Catarina Macario, Jude Bellingham, Vivianne Miedema, Trinity Rodman, Jennifer Hermoso, Serge Gnabry, Pedri, Joao Felix, Lindsey Horan & Wendie Renard

Adult Swim is the leader in adult animation and #1 destination for young adults for over fifteen years, offering critically-acclaimed, award-winning original and acquired series such as Rick and Morty, Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal, The Eric Andre Show, Three Busy Debras, Tuca & Bertie, and Joe Pera Talks With You. Fan favorite anime block, Toonami, airs on Saturday nights and has expanded beyond acquisitions, producing original series including Fena: Pirate Princess, Blade Runner: Black Lotus, Shenmue the Animation, Uzumaki, and new seasons of FLCL. The annual Adult Swim Festival reaches a global audience, and features performances by top musicians and comedians. Adult Swim airs nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT) on its linear channel, and also reaches fans via HBO Max.