Habeck criticizes the decision
DFB justifies the change of supplier: “It won’t leave us indifferent”
March 21, 2024, 9:26 p.m
The German Football Association also justifies its surprising change of supplier with its commitment to the base in the amateur sector. But saying goodbye to adidas after 70 years “doesn’t leave the association unmoved”. There had previously been criticism of the decision.
The German Football Association has defended its future supplier change from long-time partner Adidas to Nike despite emerging criticism. “We understand every emotionality. It is also a drastic event for us as an association when it becomes clear that a partnership that was and is characterized by many special moments is coming to an end after more than 70 years. That doesn’t leave us unmoved,” wrote the DFB on X.
However, the DFB is “first and foremost committed to German football and its development,” it continued, justifying the decision with economic considerations: “The DFB has a unique selling point: It is a sports association that finances its member associations and the base in the amateur sector “It’s not financed by them. He puts the money into football. So that football remains a popular sport.”
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck had previously criticized the change in supplier. “I can hardly imagine the German jersey without the three stripes. For me, Adidas and black-red-gold always belonged together. A piece of German identity. I would have liked a bit more local patriotism,” said Habeck.
On Thursday, the DFB announced that the US sporting goods manufacturer Nike will equip all German national teams from 2027. This marks the end of a partnership with Adidas that has lasted more than 70 years. Adidas was the supplier for all four World Cup titles and all three European Championship titles for men as well as for the two World Cup titles and the eight European Championship trophies for women. The collaboration with Nike is initially scheduled to run until 2034.
At the 2024 European Championships, the men’s team will set up its base camp in the “Home Ground” at adidas’ headquarters in Herzogenaurach and play in the jerseys that have just been presented. “We will live and value the collaboration with our long-standing partner adidas with full commitment until the last day,” said the DFB.