Nike is "on the verge of signing a deal to be the official kit supplier" of the England football team, according to Lawton & Bellwood of the London DAILY MAIL. Even tough the existing deal with Umbro was supposed to run until '18, Nike is believed to be launching a new England away strip as early as next spring. The move, "which will earn the FA millions," will be viewed as a fightback after rivals adidas dominated the Olympics by supplying Team Great Britain. Last week, FA officials were "ready to announce that a relationship with Manchester-based manufacturer Umbro was about to be terminated." The FA refused to comment last night, but Sportsmail "understands an agreement has been reached for Nike to take over." Umbro's connection with England "dates back to the '50s." The current
deal is $31.6M a year, and it "stipulated that only Umbro could supply
the England team." But Nike announced in May its plan to sell Umbro and made a proposal to the FA that the governing body seems "ready to
accept." Nike "offered the FA the chance to sign a lucrative new deal or
stay with a company facing an uncertain future, given how important the
England contract has been to the brand for so many years." Nike also
has "taken over the contract" Umbro had with EPL club Manchester City.
The club in '09 signed a 10-year deal with Umbro worth $9.5M a year (DAILY MAIL, 8/28).
