Germany's football association announced on Friday that the national team will sport Nike jerseys from 2027, marking the conclusion of a longstanding partnership with Adidas that spanned several decades, during which the iconic three stripes became synonymous with success on the pitch.
The collaboration between Adidas and the German national football team dates back to the 1950s, coinciding with the team's inaugural World Cup victory.
Under the new deal with the German Football Association (DFB), the Nike "swoosh" will replace the Adidas logo on the German shirt from 2027 until 2034, as confirmed by DFB chief executive Holger Blask. Blask stated that Nike's offer was "by far the best financial offer" and highlighted the company's commitment to promoting amateur sport and developing women's football in Germany.
Despite the timing of the announcement, just months ahead of the Euro 2024 championships hosted in Germany, Blask emphasized that it was routine. However, the news comes as a setback for Adidas, which has faced challenges recently.
In response to the decision, Adidas expressed gratitude for the longstanding partnership and pledged to strive for mutual success until the contract concludes. The German men's team, guided by coach Julian Nagelsmann, will continue to wear Adidas gear at the 2026 World Cup before transitioning to Nike.
Adidas and the German national team have shared significant success over the years, with the partnership dating back to the historic 1954 World Cup victory. However, Adidas's recent financial struggles, including its first loss in 30 years, and the loss of revenue from collaborations such as Kanye West's Yeezy line, have contributed to the decision.
The switch to Nike, estimated to be worth approximately 50 million euros annually, marks a significant change for German football and has been described as an "earthquake" by media outlets following the unveiling of Adidas's jerseys for this year's Euros.
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