Football Federation Australia and Nike have extended their partnership in an 11-year deal that calls for Nike's logo to "appear on the Socceroos jersey throughout the next three World Cup campaigns," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The deal's exact figure "has not been released," but FFA CEO Ben Buckley confirmed that it has "become the largest financial contribution to Australian football" aside from the broadcast deal with Fox Sports. The new multi-million dollar deal has become the FFA's "single-largest sponsorship and is believed to be the most lucrative apparel agreement" for any Australian national sporting team. Buckley said, "It's obviously a long-term deal, but it's multi-millions of dollars per annum and all that goes into supporting the growth of the game." The deal "encompasses kits and sponsorship of all national football teams," including the senior men's and women's teams as well as all youth teams. The current deal is the third successive agreement between the FFA and Nike, which has been Australia's kit manufacturer since '04 (SMH, 10/15). The AAP reported Buckley said that the deal "represents an overwhelming vote of confidence in Australian football." Buckley: "The agreement goes way beyond the financial investment ... to have a partner like Nike, it is not just about the dollars" (AAP, 10/15).
