UK Athletics Nike Deal Given Go Ahead after Adidas Ruling
September 4, 2013
UK Athletics has resolved an issue with its long-term kit supplier adidas paving the way for a new major deal with competitors Nike according to the Daily Telegraph.
adidas, a Team GB supplier since 2005, were not happy with UK Athletics potential new deal with Nike claiming their current contract allowed for the German sportswear manufacturer to have a ‘matching rights’ clause to any rival deal when the deal came up for renewal.
But a Dutch court threw out Adidas’s claim, allowing the American giants to take up the mantle as official supplier from the new year to the end of 2020.
An adidas spokesman said: “Obviously we had a relationship with UK Athletics and we’re disappointed that the court decision did not go our way. We would love to have reached the point where we could continue the partnership.”
According to the Telegraph the Nike deal is worth around £15 million in cash and thought to be double adidas’ deal.
Chief executive Niels de Vos, who secured the deal, said: “We are thrilled to announce this new deal with Nike – the scale and length of their commitment is significant and demonstrates their confidence in the future of British Athletics.”
“Nike will be a superb marketing partner across British Athletics and they have some very exciting plans to be announced in the near future.”
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