Germany’s economy minister, Robert Habeck, blasted a recent decision by the country’s national football team to ditch Adidas as its kit supplier and go with US sportswear titan Nike, calling it a lack of “patriotism.”
“For me, Adidas and black-red-gold always belonged together,” Habeck said, calling the pairing of the company’s stripes and the national flag colors a “piece of German identity.”
He said he “would have hoped for more patriotism” from the German Football Association (DFB).
The DFB said on Thursday its more than 70-year partnership with Adidas will cease at the end of 2026.
Germany’s footballers will switch to wearing jerseys made by Nike from 2027.
Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder also criticized the decision, stating, “The national team plays in three stripes – that is clear as the ball is round and the game lasts 90 minutes.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz did not comment on the DFB’s decision except to say, “The important thing is that goals are scored.”
The DFB said the deal with Nike, which will run up to 2034, was “by far the best financial offer.”
“For us as an association, it is also a turning point when it is clear that a partnership marked by special moments is coming to an end after more than 70 years,” the DFB said.
Christoph Breuer from the Institute for Sports Economy and Sports Management said the DFB was dealing with “financial worries” and had “no choice” but to take Nike’s offer.
Nike CEO John Donahoe said the company will be able to make the German team “a global brand and make their athletes global heroes.”
