Some soccer teams in world football are sponsored by Nike including clubs and countries. This sponsorship is used to increase sales of its products and most importantly, to increase credibility and boost its brand image. On the part of the club, it gives them very good financial stability in the long run.
Out of the numerous clubs which Nike sponsors, we’ve decided to analyze 10 teams and the kind of sponsorship deals that exist between them.
Brief History Of Nike
Nike is an American manufacturer of sports equipment, apparel and footwear founded in 1964 whose headquarters is located near Beaverton, Oregon, USA. It happens to be the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel with an estimated revenue of $46 billion as of 2022.
Initially named Blue Ribbon Sports, it changed its name to Nike which was named after the Greek goddess of victory.
Nike sponsors many high-profile athletes and sports teams around the globe, becoming the most valuable brand in the sports business in 2020.
Having briefly discussed its history, we now analyze some of the teams under their sponsorship.
10 Soccer Teams That Are Sponsored By Nike
Let us consider 10 popular Soccer teams sponsored by Nike, both Football clubs and National teams.
1. Barcelona
Barcelona’s sponsorship deal with Nike is one of the most significant in sports. The agreement, which extends until 2028, involves Nike designing and supplying the club’s kits and merchandise.
It is a long-standing partnership that provides Barcelona with good financial support while offering Nike visibility and branding opportunities through the club.
The deal involves providing kits for the team, providing merchandise and leveraging marketing ideas for both brands.
2. Chelsea
Chelsea’s partnership with Nike was signed in 2016 as the official kit supplier for the club. This deal replaced the previous one with Adidas and is set to continue until 2032.
Under this agreement, Nike designs and manufactures Chelsea’s playing kits, training wear, and merchandise, while also collaborating on marketing efforts. The partnership also provides financial support to Chelsea and allows Nike to showcase its brand through one of the Premier League’s top clubs to boost visibility and commercial opportunities.
3. Paris Saint-Germain
PSG has had a significant sponsorship deal with Nike which began in the early 1990s and will run through to 2032, involving Nike as the official kit supplier for PSG.
The partnership between Nike and PSG has been a lucrative one for the club as PSG will receive €75 million per season through the new season as opposed to €25 million they earned in previous seasons. This shows the financial Impact the deal brings to the club.
Nike also designs the team’s kits, contributing to PSG’s branding. This collaboration allows Nike to showcase its brand through the club globally, reinforcing its visibility and credibility.
4. Liverpool
Liverpool signed a new partnership deal with Nike in 2020 which marked a significant shift in the club’s kit manufacturer. This partnership replaced their previous deal with New Balance.
The deal with Nike is reportedly worth a lucrative amount and involves Nike as the official kit supplier for Liverpool FC. It encompasses the design, production, and distribution of the team’s playing kits and merchandise. The collaboration with Nike offers both financial benefits to Liverpool and immense visibility for Nike.
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5. France National Team
France signed a deal with Nike on the 1st of January 2011 worth over €320 million for seven years and extended their contract which keeps them in partnership to date.
This partnership includes designing and providing the kits and apparel worn by the French national football team during international competitions like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.
The deal with Nike offers financial support to the French Football Federation (FFF) and provides Nike with extensive visibility during major tournaments where the French national team participates.
6. Nigeria National Team
The Super Eagles of Nigeria began a partnership deal with Nike in 1994 until 2003 when they ended the partnership.
The deal was re-established in 2015 which brought about the creation of the Super Eagles 2018 World Cup jersey which was regarded as the best kit in 2018.
Nigeria remains the only African national football team to be under the sponsorship of Nike.
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7. South Korea National Team
South Korea has been under sponsorship with Nike since 1996.
In 2020, South Korea signed a new deal with Nike which is worth €180 million.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar saw South Korea put on one of the best kits of the tournament.
8. Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid has a longstanding partnership with Nike, which began in 2001. The club has been associated with Nike for over two decades, making it one of the longest-running partnerships in La Liga.
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9. England National Team
The England football team’s sponsorship deal with Nike has been a significant partnership. The Football Association (FA) secured a 12-year contract extension with Nike in 2016, ensuring that England’s players would continue to wear Nike kit for an extended period.
The partnership with Nike has provided England’s players with high-quality kit and equipment, contributing to the team’s performance and image on the international stage.
The sponsorship deal has been seen as a long-term commitment, providing the team with quality kit and equipment, and contributing to the team’s performance and image.
10. Inter Milan
In July 2023, it was reported that Inter Milan had secured a lucrative sponsorship deal with Nike, estimated to be worth around €20 million per season. This deal is part of a broader set of sponsorship agreements that Inter Milan has secured, including deals with Paramount+ and eBay.
The partnership with Nike has been a key component of Inter Milan’s commercial strategy, providing the club with good financial support and contributing to its revenue. The sponsorship deal with Nike shows the club’s ability to attract major international brands and secure valuable partnerships.
The sponsorship deal between Inter Milan and Nike gives a source of revenue for the club and shows the significance of strategic partnerships in the world of football.
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Conclusion
So many teams, including football teams and other sports, are sponsored by Nike. This sponsorship benefits both parties equally as it gives Nike visibility, credibility and marketing value through the clubs in which they sponsor.
On the other hand, the clubs also benefit from the partnership as they get good financial support through deals worth millions.
Nike isn’t the only sports brand that offers sponsorships to clubs. Competitors such as Adidas and Puma are also beginning to get a fair share of the market but there’s no debate that Nike remains top at the moment.
