Nike is a sportswear and equipment manufacturing company based in the United States of America.
They are renowned for making top-quality sports kits and gear worn by various high-level athletes of different sports all over the world.
Nike, apart from being a global giant in the sportswear-producing business, also sponsors and kits different soccer teams around the world, including club sides and countries.
Today you will find out some of the top football teams that are sponsored by Nike.
1. Nigeria
The African soccer powerhouse first began its association with Nike in 1994 as a fallout of the Nigerian national team’s brilliant performance at the FIFA World Cup the same year.
The American sportswear company kitted the Super Eagles until 2003.
The relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation was reestablished in 2015, which later led to the creation of the iconic Nigeria World Cup jersey that wowed audiences and supporters at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup kit gained global acclaim for its vibrant, distinctive patterns that celebrated Nigerian heritage. That jersey is considered to be one of the best soccer jerseys of all time.
The deal, initially valued at around $3.75 million per year, has been praised for its innovative and culturally resonant kit designs.
Nigeria are the only African national soccer team that is sponsored by Nike.
2. United States
It’s almost a no-brainer that a proudly American company would be associated with the United States national soccer team.
Nike has been a long-term partner of the United States national soccer teams, starting their relationship in 1995.
This sponsorship covers both the men’s and women’s teams, providing kits, training gear, and a wide range of merchandise.
Nike prides itself on being part of and supporting the brand that is the American national soccer teams.
3. Brazil
Nike, as a business, have always strived to be associated with the best athletes, teams, and countries of any particular sport.
It’s no surprise that they have, since the 1990s, been involved with arguably the best football team in history, Brazil.
The current agreement, renewed in 2018, is valued at around $30 million per year.
4. England
The English national team are one of the popular national soccer teams that are sponsored by Nike.
Nike took over as kit supplier of the Three Lions in 2013 and have sponsored their short since then.
Nike took over as the official kit supplier for the England national football team in 2013, in a deal reportedly worth £400 million over 12 years.
5. South Korea
South Korea began their sponsorship with Nike since 1 January 1996.
The Taegeuk Warriors had one of the best kits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
On 20 January 2020, South Korea signed an 11-year kit sponsorship deal with Nike worth about $204 million.
6. Tottenham Hotspur FC
Tottenham are one of the best soccer teams in London.
Nike’s partnership with Tottenham Hotspur began in 2017, with a deal valued at £30 million per year.
This agreement includes outfitting the club’s senior and youth teams with high-performance kits and training gear.
7. Netherlands
The 1988 European Championship winners have had Nike as the national team’s kit provider, a sponsorship that began in 1996 and is expected to continue until at least 2026.
8. Barcelona
Nike is also a major partner of Spanish giants FC Barcelona. Nike’s sponsorship of FC Barcelona, which began in 1998, stands as one of the most enduring and lucrative partnerships in sports.
The deal, renewed in 2018, is valued at approximately €105 million per year.
The American corporation has been involved with the Catalans now for decades and is a big contributor in propagating and shaping the team’s overall look and brand.
The Spanish side has also signed several multi-million dollar deals with the sportswear manufacturers over the years.
Barcelona also have one of most expensive shirt sponsorship deals in Europe.
9. France
On 1 January 2011, the French Football Federation agreed a shirt sponsorship deal with Nike was valued at €320 million over seven years (1 January 2011 – 9 July 2018), making France’s blue shirt the most expensive sponsorship in the history of football.
The 2018 World Cup winners renewed their contract with Nike, and the sportswear company still sponsors their kit to date.
10. Chelsea
English side Chelsea, in 2016, signed a lucrative 15-year deal worth £900 million with Nike making them one of the highest earners in kit deals
This agreement is one of the most significant in the Premier League and includes the provision of kits, training wear, and merchandise.
11. Paris-Saint Germain
PSG is another club that has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the American kit manufacturer.
Nike has been the sole kit provider for the French club since 1989 and recently signed an agreement to extend that relationship to 2032.
The Parisians will reportedly earn about €80 million annually, which according to them, is their biggest sponsorship agreement in history.
This collaboration has been particularly innovative, featuring a unique collaboration with the Jordan Brand for PSG’s alternate kits.
12. Portugal
The 2016 Euro winners are one of the soccer teams sponsored by Nike. In addition, their legendary player Cristiano Ronaldo is also sponsored by Nike.
13. Liverpool
In 2020, Liverpool FC signed a groundbreaking deal with Nike, valued at £30 million per year, plus 20% of sales revenue.
This unique arrangement ties the Merseyside club earnings directly to merchandise sales, incentivizing both parties to maximize the commercial potential of their partnership, making them one of the richest soccer clubs in the world.
14. Inter Milan
The Nerazzuri have been part of the Nike family since 1998 and will continue that relationship after agreeing on an 8-year extension to the current agreement that will see the Italian club earns an extra €30 million per season plus add-ons.
15. Athletico Madrid
The 11-time La Liga winners have had a long relationship with sportswear company Nike.
Nike has sponsored Athletico Madrid since the 2001/2002 season.
