The U.S. Soccer Federation and Nike have announced a long-term agreement to extend its partnership that began in 1995. The scope of the partnership makes it the largest commercial agreement in U.S. Soccer history and one of Nike’s largest soccer federation investments globally.
The new agreement aligns with U.S. Soccer’s vision to make soccer the preeminent sport in the country. Together, Nike and U.S. Soccer will focus on growing the women’s game and provide greater access to soccer to ensure “it’s the most inclusive sport in the U.S.”
This is the third commercial partnership signed by U.S. Soccer under its new leadership of President Cindy Parlow Cone, CEO and Secretary-General Will Wilson and Chief Commercial Officer David Wright, and serves as a foundation for continued growth.
“This strategic partnership is a sign of soccer’s importance in the United States and the value that both Nike and U.S. Soccer place in each other,” said Parlow Cone. “Nike has been such a positive partner for U.S. Soccer for a long time and has played a major role in the growth of the Federation as well as putting tremendous support behind many of our players over the years. To continue this partnership on such a high level, to continue to pursue the vitally important goals we both share and to have access to resources that will boost all areas of the Federation, are things that make us feel extremely positive about the future of soccer in the United States.”
The renewed partnership is grounded in four pillars, including Driving Inclusivity, Better Planet, Global Impact and Sport of the Future.
“Nike looks forward to building on our more than 25-year history with U.S. Soccer to shape the future of sport at all levels,” said Becca Kerr, Nike VP and GM, North America, Women’s. “We want more kids, especially girls, to fall in love with the sport because they had positive early experiences with soccer. Growing the game starts with investing in inclusivity.”
The partnership will focus on all of U.S. Soccer’s National Team programming, including its senior women’s and men’s national teams, all youth national teams, and extended national teams (Para, Futsal and Beach).
Photo courtesy U.S. Soccer
