Brazil has renewed its annual kit deal with Nike after threatening to leave the brand earlier this year. The renewed $100 million yearly contract with Nike triples the existing sponsorship while introducing a groundbreaking royalty structure for shirt sales.
Nike’s relationship with Brazilian football began in 1996 when the brand first collaborated with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to advance football across Latin America. Over nearly three decades, this partnership has been a cornerstone of the sport, yielding on-pitch success, including Brazil’s fifth World Cup triumph in 2002 and iconic campaigns like “Secret Tournament.”
Nike’s 2024 Brazil home kit for Copa America continued the ace minimalist design, keeping the green and royal blue and incorporating an intricate pattern scrawled over the yellow kit.
“CBF is thrilled to renew its partnership with Nike, a brand that shares our values and passion for football,” said Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of CBF. “This is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in football, and we look forward to continuing to inspire future generations and promote a more inclusive and equitable sport for all Brazilian footballers, upholding the legacy of the beautiful game.”
A partnership beyond kits?
The kit wars have been heating up this year. Nike’s 2024 start was shaky, as Liverpool chose to go with Adidas over Nike for next year’s kits. PUMA also captured Portugal, ending the Swoosh’s 27-year partnership with that national team.
But the American sports giant clawed its way back. Last Spring, Nike ended Adidas’s hegemony on the German national team by inking a $108 million annual deal with Die Mannschaft. Who said all politics are local?
The Brazil-Nike extension is yet another coup for women’s football. Under the fresh agreement, the continued growth of beach football and futsal teams remain key focuses.
“The next few years are crucial for women’s football in Brazil, and having Nike by our side is a huge boost,” said Ary Borges, forward for the Brazilian women’s national team. Brazil will host the 2027 Women’s World Cup. “I’m proud to be part of a team that is committed to drive real change and create more opportunities for girls to play, compete, and succeed in the sport.”
“Nike has been an integral part of my journey as a footballer, providing me with the best possible equipment to thrive on the pitch,” said Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. “I’m so excited to see the positive impact this partnership will have on young Brazilian footballers and the sport as a whole.”
Nike’s influence extends beyond kits, encompassing initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion at all levels of Brazilian football.
