Not even a week after announcing an extension to their contract with Uruguay’s national soccer federation, Nike has locked up the rights to outfit another South American powerhouse for the next 14 years.
Nike announced on Friday, December 6, that they’d extended their contract with the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) until 2038, covering the next four men’s FIFA World Cups. The contract includes all of Brazil’s men’s and women’s national teams — including youth teams, Olympic squads and beach football and futsal teams — and extends a partnership that has been in place since 1997.
“This extension of our partnership with the CBF proudly marks the beginning of a fourth decade of collaboration, reinforcing our long-term commitment to Brazilian football,” said Doug Bowles, Nike VP/GM, Latin America, in a news release. “We’re thrilled to continue working together to inspire the next generation of athletes across Latin America and around the world. And of course, we’re excited to continue to bring the most cutting-edge Nike football innovations to the Confederation to create the future of the game.”
“CBF is thrilled to renew its partnership with Nike, a brand that shares our values and passion for football,” added CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues. “This is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in football, and we look forward to continuing to inspire future generations and promote a more inclusive and equitable sport for all Brazilian footballers, upholding the legacy of the beautiful game.”
According to Associated Press sources, the contract is worth $100 million US per year, and it also includes royalties on the sales of national team shirts, which weren’t included in previous contracts.
As part of the contract, Nike and the CBF will work together to drive change in various areas, including growing women’s soccer and getting more girls involved in the game; advancing racial equality in soccer; and increasing youth participation though grassroots and community initiatives.
“The next few years are crucial for women’s football in Brazil, and having Nike by our side is a huge boost,” said Ary Borges, a Nike athlete and member of the Brazilian women’s national team. “I’m proud to be part of a team that is committed to drive real change and create more opportunities for girls to play, compete and succeed in the sport.”
The extension of the Nike contract comes after reports surfaced earlier this year that the CBF had received a massive contract offer of R$1 billion ($197 million US) a year from a competitor. The news outlet that initially reported the offer said both Adidas and Puma were in the running but couldn’t confirm which company had made the offer.
