In London, David Robertson cites sources as saying that Nike and EPL club Manchester United execs “will begin detailed talks" on their "merchandising and sponsorship contract ‘imminently.’” The club signed a 13-year deal with Nike in ’02 worth US$451M, and although that contract “does not end until” ’15, the two sides “have just entered a six-month exclusive renegotiating period.” Sources said that Nike was “likely to try to complete a deal during the exclusivity period” and that ManU was “pressing for the new contract to begin a year early,” in ’14 (LONDON TIMES, 3/11).
HUSKER DO: The agenda for Friday’s Nebraska Board of Regents meeting includes “a vote by the regents on a five-year extension” of the Univ. of Nebraska’s contract with adidas. The potential agreement “has been reviewed and recommended by the Business Affairs Committee.” The agenda shows that adidas “would pay Nebraska the aggregate sum" of $15.53M for exclusive sponsorship over the five years -- with $8.03M in cash and $7.5M in "athletic apparel and equipment products” (JOURNALSTAR.com, 3/8).
OFF THE WALL: SI.com's Ben Golliver noted Wizards G John Wall last week "debuted Adidas’s new patriotic red, white and blue" CrazyQuick basketball shoes. The shoes' aesthetics are "slick and well-coordinated; there’s a lot going on visually, but the shoe doesn’t produce an overwhelming or off-putting effect." They will be "available on May 1 and retail for $140" (SI.com, 3/8).
