Nike deal ends German soccer's long-standing relationship with Adidas
who registered his invention with the German patent office on Aug. 30, 1949. But they certainly helped the Germans beat Hungary in the 1954 World Cup final.
Dassler’s company has been supplying German soccer with its gear ever since, and only last week it presented the new jerseys for Euro 2024, which Germany will host between between June 14 and July 14. Germany's under-21 coach Antonio Di Salvo said the decision to change kit supplier was "very surprising for everyone ... especially now when the new jersey for the European Championship was presented.
I did not expect that." It appears to have been driven by financial and other concerns. “Nike made by far the best economic offer and also impressed with its substantive vision, which includes a clear commitment to the promotion of amateur and grassroots sports as well as the sustainable development of women’s soccer in Germany," DFB chief executive Holger Blask said. DFB treasurer Stephan Grunwald also pointed to a rosier future for German soccer as a result of the new deal.
"We are grateful to be able to look forward to an economically stable future as an association thanks to Nike’s commitment," Grunwald said, without providing details of what the American company will pay. It's clearly more than Adidas was prepared to invest to extend its existing deal. But the DFB's decision to switch has not met universal approval at home.
“I can hardly imagine the German jersey without the three stripes," German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said. "Adidas and black-red-gold always belonged together for me, a piece of German identity. I would have liked a bit more local patriotism." ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Milestone Alert!
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