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Nike is in exclusive negotiations to become the new official match ball provider for all UEFA men's club competitions, according to a statement on Thursday from UC3, the joint venture between UEFA and European Football Clubs.
Landing the contract, which had belonged to rival Adidas for 25 years, would be a win for Nike.
The deal would last from 2027 through 2031, according to the UC3 statement. Nike previously wrested from Adidas a contract to become the official supplier of the German Football Association (DFB). Nike did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Adidas in a statement confirmed it would not renew its contract with UEFA, saying it was "proud to have created the most iconic ball range of all time."
The Champions League, UEFA’s premier club competition, has an audience of some 1.2 billion, according to UEFA's annual report for the 2024-2025 season. It could give Nike a key visibility boost as it tries to right its ship.
But Nike's primary pain points are China - where sales have fallen double digits for several quarters in a row - and its inability to work through old inventory and excite the market with new sneakers.
The value of the deal across the competitions could roughly double to more than 40 million euros ($46.70 million) a year, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nike to take UEFA Champions League match ball from Adidas
Continue reading...
Landing the contract, which had belonged to rival Adidas for 25 years, would be a win for Nike.
The deal would last from 2027 through 2031, according to the UC3 statement. Nike previously wrested from Adidas a contract to become the official supplier of the German Football Association (DFB). Nike did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Adidas in a statement confirmed it would not renew its contract with UEFA, saying it was "proud to have created the most iconic ball range of all time."
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The Champions League, UEFA’s premier club competition, has an audience of some 1.2 billion, according to UEFA's annual report for the 2024-2025 season. It could give Nike a key visibility boost as it tries to right its ship.
But Nike's primary pain points are China - where sales have fallen double digits for several quarters in a row - and its inability to work through old inventory and excite the market with new sneakers.
The value of the deal across the competitions could roughly double to more than 40 million euros ($46.70 million) a year, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nike to take UEFA Champions League match ball from Adidas
Continue reading...
