German National Team Changes Apparel to Nike, DFB's Decision is Purely Economic

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – On Thursday (21/3/2204), the German Football Federation (DFB) surprisingly announced that the American sportswear giant, Nike, would provide all the equipment and apparel equipment for the German national team starting in 2027.

This also ends the German national team's long relationship with the local sports brand, Adidas, which has existed for around 70 years. The German national team and Nike have a contract until 2034.

Adidas seemed surprised by the DFB's decision to switch to its biggest competitor, Nike, a sports company from the United States.

“We were informed by the DFB today that the association will have a new supplier from 2027,” Adidas said when confirmed by Associated Press.

The DFB admitted that its decision to switch to American equipment suppliers was also motivated by economic factors.

“We understand every emotion. It is also a drastic event for us as an association when it becomes clear that a partnership marked by many special moments will end after more than 70 years,” wrote the DFB on X (formerly Twitter).

The DFB insists economic factors are necessary for an association that claims responsibility for more than 24,000 clubs and 2.2 million active players. The DFB invests money in its member clubs and amateur base so that football remains a sport for everyone.

“The DFB had to make economic decisions against this background. Nike made a much better financial offer in a transparent and non-discriminatory tender process,” wrote the DFB.

“Nike makes a much better economic proposition and also impresses with its substantial vision, which includes a clear commitment to promoting amateur and grassroots sport and the continued development of women's football in Germany,” said DFB Chief Executive Holger Blask.

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf stressed that Adidas would remain a DFB supplier until December 2026.

“We will do everything we can to achieve success together with our long-standing and current partner, Adidas, which has contributed so much to German football for more than seven decades,” Neuendorf said.

The DFB's decision to leave the local apparel brand Adidas and move to the United States brand Nike received criticism from within the country. German Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck also spoke.

“I can hardly imagine a German jersey without the three stripes (the Adidas symbol). Adidas and black-red-yellow have always been together for me, part of the German identity. I prefer local patriotism,” he said.