Two Deutschland icons are in the middle of a shocking breakup.
Germany’s national football association (the DFB) announced this week that it had come to terms with Nike on a deal to make the US apparel giant their new kit and equipment supplier starting in 2027.
It marks the end of a historic era for German football and culture. Adidas had been the German national team’s main partner for over 70 years.
Nike reportedly gave the DFB an offer it couldn’t refuse: it will pay the governing body $108 million per year to supply the kits and equipment, doubling what Adidas had been paying at $54 million per year, per the BBC.
The news has made waves across the German political scene, with the country’s economy minister Robert Habeck stating, “I can hardly imagine the German jersey without the three stripes. For me, Adidas and black-red-gold always belonged together. A piece of German identity.”
For the DFB though, the financial backing from Nike will help it continue funding grassroots efforts in their country. It currently has more than 24,000 clubs and 2.2 million active players registered with the association.