London football club Chelsea has signed a kit deal with Nike worth £60m a season for the next 15 years, representing the largest commercial deal in the club’s history – £900million over 15 seasons.
Nike will become the official kit supplier beginning with the 2017/18 season.
Earlier this year Chelsea said it was ending its partnership with Adidas six years early – it was receiving less than half what the German sportswear company agreed to pay Manchester United.
Chelsea’s previous deal with Adidas was worth £30m a season. The club agreed to pay £40m fee with Adidas to terminate their existing agreement.
Nike will produce strips for the first team, Academy and Ladies teams, in addition to a wide range of clothing for the club’s millions of supporters around the world.
Trevor Edwards, president of the Nike brand, said: “Chelsea is a world-class club with a rich tradition and passionate fans across the globe.
“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.”
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.”
