Nike locks out all 16 Chinese Super League clubs in $470m 10-year deal

May 12 – The Chinese Super League (CSL) has extended its kit partnership with Nike for a further 10 years – starting in June 2019 and taking them through to 2029.

The Nike deal locks out one of the world’s fastest growing leagues in potentially the world’s biggest football market. It includes all 16 CSL teams who will play in Nike shirts. The deal covders domestic and international games played by the clubs.

Nike first partnered with the CSL in 2012 in a deal that expires in June 2019. The US sportswear manufacturer is reckoned to be paying $29.6 million annually.

The new deal has been reported locally as giving the CSL $347.4 million of value in kind for kit and $126 million in cash over 10-year partnership. While all the clubs are part of the deal, not all them are happy about it with Beijing Guoan reportedly lobbying against.

Nike is already sponsor of the Chinese national team and has committed with the Chinese FA to a grassroots events programme.  Nike will also continue to support HKFA and the Macau FA  as well as a number of key clubs throughout Greater China.

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