Former Nike Endorser Pep Guardiola Being Courted By Bayern Munich Sponsor Adidas

Longtime Nike endorser Pep Guardiola's move to Bayern Munich "could suggest the Catalan coach will switch" to rival adidas, according to Javier Matallanas of AS. Guardiola has been part of Nike's image throughout his career as a footballer and coach, but adidas, which apart from outfitting Bayern also possesses a 10% share in the company that runs the Bundesliga team, "will attempt to sign him." The former Barcelona coach has been without a contract with Nike since last year and is "free to negotiate with the rival brand." Adidas President and Bayern Munich Board member Herbert Hainer "will try to convince" Guardiola to represent adidas the way he did Nike for so many years (AS, 1/20).