Nike and the FA Announce 5 Year Partnership

NIKE, Inc. and The Football Association have announced a new partnership that will see the world’s leading sports company design and create the kits for men and women’s England teams at every level.

The first England kits to bear the Nike Swoosh will be launched in Spring 2013. The partnership will run until 31st July 2018 and represents a substantial investment, which will be reinvested by The FA back into the game across all levels, from the senior team to grassroots.

The partnership includes the following elements:

• Supplying kit and match balls to all of Club England’s 24 football teams at every level, including the men’s national teams, women’s, Futsal, disability and amateur.
• Sponsorship and support of St George’s Park, the home of the National Football Centre in Burton-upon-Trent, which in addition to hosting the England senior team will train and develop a generation of coaches, referees and medical staff every year.
• Supporting partner of Wembley Stadium, the home of English football.
• Supporting partner for The FA Cup, supplying match balls for games at each level of the
world’s most famous club cup competition.
• Supply of product to The FA county organisations

“The pride and passion of England fans is renowned throughout the football world and we are delighted to partner with The FA”, said Nike Brand President Charlie Denson. “We look forward to supporting England teams at every level with innovative product technology and playing our part to help develop the future of English football through our support of St George’s Park.”

The Football Association General Secretary Alex Horne said: “I am delighted that The FA has secured this new wide-ranging and comprehensive partnership with Nike. It is an extremely exciting time for both parties with the opening of St George’s Park this year and The FA’s 150th anniversary in 2013.

Horne continued: “I would also like to place on record our gratitude to Umbro and their significant contribution to the game, The FA and England teams, over a 60-year period.”

There you have it. Umbro and England’s long standing partnership will soon be over with American manufacturers Nike set to step in with the duty of producing the Three Lions’ kits. Maybe this change in apparel will see England actually win a major trophy? Leave you thoughts below via comment.