Nike today announced a three-year partnership with UEFA Women's Football, allowing the brand to provide the official match balls for all UEFA Women's competitions such as the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Nike Signs Three Year Deal With UEFA Women's Football
The three-year deal sees Nike become an official partner of UEFA Women's Football and the match ball supplier for UEFA Women's competitions, including the Women's Champions League and the Women's Euro 2021.
The Nike 2019 UEFA Champions League Women's ball is based on the standard Nike Merlin with the logo of the final.
“Nike and UEFA share a common ambition, and that is for women's football to realize its enormous potential. UEFA's competitions represent the elite of club and international football, and through our unparalleled innovation and support of the women's game — from grassroots to elite level — we will grow football for the next generation of female players,” says Bert Hoyt, Nike's VP/GM EMEA.
A Nike ball will first be seen in a UEFA match when the Champions League reaches the quarter final stage in late March.
Nadine Kessler, UEFA's Head of Women's Football, said:
“We are delighted to have such a prestigious global brand such as Nike, who are committed to equality within sport and renowned for empowering female athletes all over the world,” says Kessler. “We look forward to working closely with Nike to continue to evolve women's football via our competitions and inspire more people to enjoy the sport, whether they are watching or participating.”
Adidas will still supply the ball for all UEFA Men's competitions, including the Men's UEFA Champions League. The current partnership of the Three Stripes and UEFA is valid from 2018 until 2021.
Do you think that Nike will try to sign a deal to make the ball for UEFA's Men's competitions as well? Let us know in the comments below.