Chelsea has today (Thursday) confirmed a new long-term kit partnership with US sportswear giant Nike in a deal the English Premier League football club said represents the biggest commercial contract in its history.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but it will commence from the 2017-18 season. Nike will produce strips for the first team, academy and ladies teams, as well as a full range of clothing for Chelsea’s global fanbase.
News of the Nike deal was first reported in May and was then said to be worth £60m (€68.7m/$77m) per year. Chelsea is currently engaged in a £30m-per-year deal with Nike’s German rival Adidas. The Adidas agreement will be curtailed six years early, at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “This is an incredibly exciting and important deal for the club. Like Chelsea, Nike is known around the world for its excellence and innovation and we look forward to working together in what is sure to be a successful partnership. We believe Nike will be able to support our growth into new markets as well as helping us maintain our place among the world’s elite football clubs.”
Trevor Edwards, president of the Nike Brand, added: “The partnership with Chelsea reinforces our leadership position in football. We are excited to help grow the club’s global reach, serving players and supporters with Nike innovation and design.”