The Adidas Saloman AG board of directors unanimously approved an agreement to purchase the outstanding shares of Reebok, a deal valued at over 3.8 billion dollars. But what will that deal mean for consumers? Well, it could mean sneakers could be a little more affordable in the coming months. That could happen by the two companies ridding themselves of redunant or sometimes competing products or even entire product lines themselves. The company may also be able to combine retail locations and cut overhead in the process.

While the deal is making many envision nothing but dollar signs. There are going to be some inherent problems when the #2 and #3 ranked sporting goods giants combine. One of the big obstacles will be branding. Both companies have spent untold millions of dollars branding themselves and their product lines to worldwide consumers. This merger will pose problems as the new company will fight to keep their brands distinct. In the coming months the new Adidas Reebok will make many decisions and changes. Whether or not the general comsumer will see any of these, or better question yet, when the consumer will see these is anyones guess.