Nike Loses out on Bid to outfit Germany’s National Team
It was a few months back when we first heard the rumblings that Nike were prepared to supply the kits for the German national team. At the time it seemed hard to believe even with the Swoosh offer gobs of money to replace the German company Adidas as the country’s official supplier. In the end the German Football Federation has decided to take less money and to stick with the same company that has been a fixture in German football for 50 years.
Despite opposition from the Bundesliga, the German Soccer Federation voted to remain with Adidas — widely reported to have offered half as much as its American rival — until 2018.
Half as much money still translates into something of the neighborhood of $350 million, a nice chunk of change. Still, it is almost heartening to see a football federation opt for tradition and loyalty over cold, hard cash. This is a big blow for Nike, who undoubtedly will now focus their efforts of wooing other Adidas and Puma teams into their fold.
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Comments
By Karl | August 24th, 2007 at 2:37 pm 
Adi Dassler should be proud to have built such a brand. It’s hard to imagine the DFB wearing anything else.
Posted from 
United States
By Mirna | August 26th, 2007 at 3:37 am I am glad the DFB sticked with adidas. It wouldn’t look right to see the Germans in Nike and I am amazed that they went with loyalty and not the dollar or euro signs. It is not always about the money.
Now I wonder, who would be Nike’s next target. I am not sure of the Argentina contract but I would bet that they want them too.
Posted from United States
By chad wick | August 27th, 2007 at 9:03 am I am a nike guy, here in Australia they put alot of promotion $ into the World Cup team and significantly raised the profile of the sport here.
That being said I think that you have to stick with tradition on this one, some things are just better left alone.
By Worldwide Skateboarding » Gonzalez guest art | October 24th, 2007 at 3:39 am [...] In the beginning of 2006 Adidas bought Reebok, making it’s empire even bigger. Is that the reason the RBK skate shoes are almost gone (at least on this side of the planet)? This gives room to Adidas to launch it skate program??? Doesn’t even sound to weird…. Nike, the big competitor from Adidas, did team up with Cliché to release a limited (of course) skateboard (SB) shoe to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the French board company. This is remarkable, but I bet the 2 sport titans will make up this ‘minor loss in sales’ in the soccer world. [...]
Posted from 
Netherlands
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