Nike Outfits French National Football (Soccer) Team

Starting January 1, 2011, Nike Inc. will be the equipment supplier of the French Football Federation (FFF) until the end of the 2017-2018 season. Since the early 1990s, Nike has grown its football -- or soccer as the sport is known in the United States -- revenues from about $40 million to approximately $1.5 billion and established global brand leadership in the sport. Football is one of six core categories expected to drive 75 percent of Nike's targeted growth by fiscal 2011. "This partnership will solidify Nike's leadership in football, as we continue delivering industry leading innovations on the pitch and create competitive distance with our next phase of growth," says Charles Denson, president of the Nike brand. Fabrice Ducceschi, general manager of Nike France, adds, "This is the next exciting stage of our brand's overall strategy in France, already the sports equipment market leader. This new agreement will be instrumental in further deepening our emotional connection to French supporters of football and their national team." In addition to the Nike brand's global leadership, Nike also is expanding its global presence in the world's most popular sport with its acquisition of Umbro plc, which was expected to be completed in early this month.