GOOGLE AND NIKE FORM ONLINE FOOTBALL PARTNERSHIP

Inspired by social networking portals such as Myspace.com, sportswear supplier Nike and search engine Google have launched a joint online venture aiming to reproduce the appeal of personal online networking.

The new site will be called Joga.com, inspired by the Portuguese phrase “joga bonita”, or, “beautiful game.” It will be an invitation-only website meant to bring together football fans around the world. It will offer 40 different languages available in 140 different countries. Users will be able to create their own websites, communities and profile pages, send e-mails, photos, video clips, plus access content on Nike-sponsored athletes.

Google and Nike, the world’s largest sportswear manufacturer, have been working on the project for eight months. If the site is a success, the companies plan on creating similar sites for other sports.