The Chinese Super League will reportedly sign on for another 10 years with U.S. sportswear manufacturer Nike, with the deal to begin in June '19, ahead of the current one expiring at the end of '19, according to Jonathan White of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The deal is expected be “5+5,” meaning it can be renewed after five years to last through the '28 campaign. Sina reported the new deal will "double the current deal" and is worth a total 3B yuan ($471M) over 10 years. The clubs are set to share 2.2B yuan ($345.5M) worth of equipment and 800M yuan ($125.6M) in cash over the decade. Nike has been the equipment provider for the CSL for the last 10 seasons in a deal that sees it pay a reported $30M annually split evenly between the clubs, and "provide all of their equipment." Previously the clubs had different kit sponsors. According to Guangzhou newspaper Soccer News, the CSL is said to have asked the 16 clubs about renewing the deal and "only Beijing Guoan said no," believing the even split is not "a fair reflection of their comparative commercial power." Recent social media posts speculate that the capital club will "try to break away from the deal later this year by finding an alternative kit provider" (SCMP, 5/7).
