CSL to renew a ten-year deal with Nike

The Chinese Super League (CSL) is reported to sign a ten-year extension with its current shirt sponsor Nike, according to Xiao Nan of Beijing Youth Daily.

This new deal, expected to take effect in June 2019, will see all players of 16 CSL clubs continue to wear the American sportswear brand on domestic and international pitches. Their sponsorship contract will cover the usage of clothes, balls and uniforms for players and referees in the league.

Although the detailed financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, it is believed to be twice the value of their current contract. In other words, Nike would have to pay a sponsorship fee of no less than CNY100m(USD15.76m) each year.

According to another Chinese sports reporter Bao Wenlong, Nike is looking to support the CSL by adopting the “cash+products” model. In other words, the contract, worth CNY3bn in total, may rake in about CNY80m in cash for the league each year, which means about CNY3m for each CSL club.

Beijing Sinobo Guoan F.C. is entirely opposed to the Nike sponsorship deal because it has plans to recruit its own shirt sponsor in the second half this year.

Source: Sohu 1 & Sohu 2

Proofread by William Logsdon