Football Australia and Nike unveil new 10-year partnership

Football Australia and Nike have announced a 10-year contract extension that will push their long-standing partnership into a third decade, the longest of Nike’s federation and club partnerships in Australia.

The extended sponsorship deal will extend to a historic third decade and will not only see Nike support Australia’s elite national teams but also deliver a committed investment in Football Australia’s grassroots participation, inclusivity program and its Legacy '23 strategy.

Football Australia’s Legacy ’23 initiative harnesses the growth of women’s football to deliver enduring benefits for Australia’s largest community sport beyond 2023, including becoming the first community sport to reach gender parity in participation. Nike is proud that a portion of its partnership investment will be specifically allocated to this initiative to ensure the momentum surrounding the game during this year’s major tournament extends into an everlasting legacy.

Welcoming the extension, Football Australia Chief Executive, James Johnson advised “this is a pivotal moment for Australian football.

“This extended partnership with Nike not only solidifies their commitment to our national teams, but it also provides significant resources for the growth of grassroots football, our ambitious Legacy ’23 plan and the strategic building of our national iconic brands.”

The deal sees Nike continue to as the official apparel partner for all Australian national teams, including the Subway Socceroos, CommBank Matildas, Junior, and Youth men's and women's squads, as well as the CommBank Pararoos, and CommBank ParaMatildas.

Johnson continued "our partnership with Nike has been transformative, and this extension represents a strong endorsement for Football Australia and the growth of football at all levels across the nation.

"We are proud to be part of Nike's Global Football strategy, and this partnership extension signifies the strength and continued elevation of Australian football on the international stage."

Explaining how the Matildas success at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup had boosted apparel sales, Nike's Pacific Vice President and General Manager, Ashley Reade told Wide World of Sports on Friday "(the World Cup generated) unprecedented demand”, adding “jersey sales were 19 times what they were four years ago in Paris, so it was incredible.

"We're seeing a lot of personalisation and customisation of players. The player range is broad, and I think that's what 2023 gave us.

"If you look through that period there were a number of heroes that stood up, so I think this tournament gave the Australian public the ability to identify."

Images: Matildas star Ellie Carpenter (top, credit: rebel Sport) and Nike have been Socceroos partners since 2004 - John Aloisi celebrates after scoring thw winning penalty against Uruguay to send Australia to the 2006 FIFA World Cup (below, credit: VenuesLive).