German nationals may strike over wearing adidas

Some players on the German national team are threatening a strike over having to wear the adidas brand.

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and striker Miroslav Klose, who are both sponsored by adidas arch rival Nike, do not want to wear the adidas brand when they represent the national team over concerns of limiting their earning potential.

Adidas pays for the national team sponsorship and, in return, the entire team is outfitted by the company. Austria, which is backed by Puma, is the only other country to have a similar arrangement.

The entire German team will all be wearing adidas for the friendly against Sweden this week, but negotiations are set to take place to allow players to wear boots of their choice in future matches. Adidas would continue to supply all other apparel.

Last week Adidas posted a 24 percent second-quarter elevation in net profit on the back of a rise in sales spurred by the World Cup held on its home soil in Germany.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.