1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.53

                                PROMISSORY NOTE

$184,078.13                                             STOUGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS
                                                        January 24, 2000

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned TERRY PILLOW (hereinafter the "Employee"
or the "Borrower") hereby promises to pay to the order of Reebok International
Ltd., 100 Technology Center Drive, Stoughton, Massachusetts 02072 (hereinafter
called "Reebok" or the "Company") the principal amount of ONE HUNDRED
EIGHTY-FOUR THOUSAND SEVENTY-EIGHT DOLLARS AND THIRTEEN CENTS ($184,078.13)(the
"Original Principal Amount"), together with interest on the outstanding
principal balance at a fixed rate per annum of 5.31% (but in no event higher
than the maximum permitted by law), in the manner set forth herein. This
Promissory Note (the "Note") and all principal and interest thereon matures on
January 24, 2004, or earlier, as set forth below.

     This Note and the indebtedness evidenced hereby are being provided
pursuant to the terms of the Restricted Stock Certificate dated January 24,
2000 (the "Certificate") and the Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code
election between Employee and Reebok (the "Section 83(b) Election"). The
proceeds of the loan may be used only for the purpose of paying the federal and
state income taxes due as a result of Employee's making the Section 83(b)
Election with respect to the Certificate.

     Employee shall pay to Reebok the principal amount referenced above and the
applicable interest in the following manner:



DATE                AMOUNT
                 
January 24, 2001    $46,019.53 Principal, plus
                    $ 7,144.53 Interest

January 24, 2002    $46,019.53 Principal, plus
                    $ 7,144.53 Interest

January 24, 2003    $46,019.53 Principal, plus
                    $ 7,144.53 Interest

January 24, 2004    $46,019.53 Principal, plus
                    $ 7,144.53 Interest


     Reebok shall have the right to set off any amounts that Employee owes
Reebok hereunder against any monies that Reebok or any of its subsidiaries may
owe to Employee, of any nature whatsoever, including without limitation, any
compensation (including bonus amounts) and any severance owed or any other
benefit owed to or held as an employee of Reebok or any of its subsidiaries,
and Employee hereby agrees to and authorizes any such setoff.


                                       1
   2

     If payment of the principal on this Note is not paid in accordance with the
terms aforementioned, then this Note shall be deemed to be in default and if
suit is brought to collect this Note, Reebok shall be entitled to collect, in
addition to any principal outstanding, all reasonable costs and expenses to
include, but not necessarily be limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses.

     This Note may be called and required to be paid in full if: (i)
you fail to make payments when due, or (ii) your employment with Reebok is
terminated for any reason. The Restricted Shares granted to you by the
Certificate are hereby pledged as collateral for this Note.

     Presentment, notice of dishonor and protest are hereby wived by Borrower.
This Note shall be binding upon Borrower and his or her heirs, executors,
administrators, and legal representatives. No delay or occasion on the part of
the Reebok in exercising any rights hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such
rights or of any other rights of Reebok, nor shall any delay, omission or waiver
on any one occasion be deemed as a bar to, or waiver of, the same or any other
right on any future occasion. This Note may not be changed or terminated orally.
Borrower shall have the right to prepay the principal and any accrued interest
on this Note, in whole or in part, at any time or times, without penalty.

     All rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by, and constituted
and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and this Note is exercised as, and shall have the effect of, a
sealed instrument. If any provision of this transaction is inconsistent with the
laws and statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the rest of the
transaction shall not be affected, and that part that is not in accord with the
said laws shall be adjusted to so comply.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed tis Note as an instrument
under seal as of the date first set forth above.



                                                  /s/ Terry R. Pillow
                                                  __________________________
                                                  Name



                                       2