Nike will outfit the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team in its national team uniforms this year. According to Nike, the brand has shown dramatic growth in soccer in just over a decade, from roughly a $40 million business in 1994 to “approaching” $1.5 billion today. Globally, this year Nike expects to sell a record 23 million pairs of soccer footwear, more than 10 million balls and more than 2.4 million of team replica uniforms. In the U.S., Nike expects a 300% increase in uniform sales over 2002.
“Great soccer is inspiring, on the street and in the stadium, and Nike today celebrates brilliant soccer with the announcement of the perhaps the strongest side ever to represent the United States on the global football stage,” said Charlie Denson, president of the Nike brand. “Nike soccer is about the joy of playing, whether it be worldwide or here in the United States. Our products, our players and our global brand leadership reflect that.”
Nike U.S. Men's National Team jerseys went on sale around the world in April at retail locations, as well as on ussoccer.com and nikesoccer.com. The U.S. Team's No. 5 FIFA world ranking, combined with Nike's classic design for the U.S. home and away jerseys, continues to fuel anticipation among soccer fans and consumers.
“Nike soccer represents one of our top three businesses today, an incredible achievement from where we started in 1994,” Denson said. “We have great momentum. In the past four years, we have more than doubled Nike's soccer business worldwide, and we have established brand leadership in the hearts and minds of consumers. We are confident that Nike product innovation and our connection to players and consumers will continue to drive significant growth.”
The Men's National Team uniform represents a portion of Nike's commitment to soccer. Last week, Nike announced a $1 million commitment to donate 10 soccer fields in cities across the country, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. As part of its Joga Bonito (Portuguese for Play Beautiful) campaign, Nike is also hosting the Joga3 National “Futsal” Tournament in local communities nationwide. “Futsal” is a smaller, quicker version of modern-day soccer and is the featured sport in what Nike aims to be the largest soccer tournament in the world, with more than three million kids participating this summer.
