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Nike tries to unseat adidas at DFB
Germany - 07 December, 2006
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The relationship between the German federation (DFB) and adidas is shaky after an approach by Nike.
The German national team has long been associated with the country's premier sports brand adidas. The company founded by Adi Dassler pioneered the link between sports firms and teams. The German team has always had their equipment designed and provided by adidas.
The U.S. firm is set on the current deal between DFB and adidas. Adidas says that it has an agreement with the DFB to renew its current contract until 2014, but the DFB maintains that, while negotiations are continuing, nothing is set.
Nike has issued a EUR 50 million a year offer to become the German national team equipment company. The Nike deal, which would span eight years beginning in 2011, would net the DFB about EUR 400 million.
The figure is five times higher than the EUR 10-11 million the DFB currently receives.
"You can't ignore it," said Werner Hackmann, vice-president of the DFB. "It is a lot of money which (we) could use very well."
The DFB could use the Nike deal to put pressure on adidas.
The German company's negotiating positioned was weakened in the summer when German national players forced an agreement in which they could chose their own footwear instead of being restricted to those provided by adidas.
Nike has contracts with other top teams, including five-time World Cup winners Brazil.
The German national team has long been associated with the country's premier sports brand adidas. The company founded by Adi Dassler pioneered the link between sports firms and teams. The German team has always had their equipment designed and provided by adidas.
The U.S. firm is set on the current deal between DFB and adidas. Adidas says that it has an agreement with the DFB to renew its current contract until 2014, but the DFB maintains that, while negotiations are continuing, nothing is set.
Nike has issued a EUR 50 million a year offer to become the German national team equipment company. The Nike deal, which would span eight years beginning in 2011, would net the DFB about EUR 400 million.
The figure is five times higher than the EUR 10-11 million the DFB currently receives.
"You can't ignore it," said Werner Hackmann, vice-president of the DFB. "It is a lot of money which (we) could use very well."
The DFB could use the Nike deal to put pressure on adidas.
The German company's negotiating positioned was weakened in the summer when German national players forced an agreement in which they could chose their own footwear instead of being restricted to those provided by adidas.
Nike has contracts with other top teams, including five-time World Cup winners Brazil.
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