US EditionNike Closes in on UEFA Ball Deal as Adidas Bows Out
The deal could be worth more than 40 million euros a year, analysts said, as Nike seeks a visibility boost before the 2026 World Cup.
- On Thursday, UC3, the joint venture between the Union of European Football Associations and European Football Clubs, announced it is negotiating with Nike to become the official ball provider for men's club matches from 2027 to 2031.
- This proposed deal would end a 25-year partnership with Adidas, which has supplied the balls since 2001, marking a symbolic turning point for Europe's most prestigious club competition.
- CEO Elliott Hill has vowed to refocus Nike on core sports like football and running, while reports suggest the deal could be worth more than 40 million euros annually.
- Morningstar analyst David Swartz called the talks "a nice win," but noted Nike has lost shelf space to smaller competitors like On Holding and Deckers' Hoka due to lack of new shoe designs.
- The Champions League, with an audience of nearly 1.2 billion, is preparing to debut a revamped format in the coming years; a new ball supplier adds another layer to the competition's ongoing evolution.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Nike arrives and this change will not be without consequence for the Champions League. Currently in talks with UEFA, the mark at the comma negotiation to provide future footballs for the...
UC3, the joint venture of UEFA and the European Football Clubs (EFC), announced that it has agreed to start an exclusive trading period with Nike to become the officialball supplier of all UEFA male club competitions from 2027 to 2031.
Due to the award of a prestigious contract, the US company Nike has again stabbed the German sporting goods manufacturer Adidas.
Nike ahead of a coup: From 2027, the group could deliver the Champions League balls and replace Adidas after 25 years.
The official football match ball of the Football Champions League is not expected to come from Adidas from 2027. UEFA as the organiser of the competition and the association of European football clubs (EFC) announced that they had conducted exclusive negotiations with Adidas Erzrivalen Nike on the award for the ball rights from 2027 to 2031. Adidas represents the official Champions League ball with the characteristic star pattern since 2001. Pre…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
