Wayne Rooney Reportedly Targeted by Adidas for Sponsorship Switch from Nike
Sportswear giant Adidas is reportedly targeting Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, with an eye on a sponsorship switch, as the German company hope they can pry him away from longtime sponsor Nike.
According to the Sun's Mike McGrath, the Red Devils captain currently makes more than £1 million per year to wear Nike boots and clothing, but Adidas are ready to challenge their main competitors for his signature:
"The England skipper has just turned 30 but his marketing value is still massive due to his roles for club and country.
Roo earns £4.5m-a-year for endorsements, according to Forbes magazine, and Nike is his most lucrative sponsorship deal.
Moving firms would be a massive coup for Adidas.
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Adidas seem to be targeting athletes and teams that have longstanding relationships with Nike of late, becoming the new kit manufacturers for Manchester United and Italian giants Juventus this past summer, for instance.
The likes of Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale also play exclusively with Adidas boots, and it now seems the German company hopes to add Rooney to that list.
The 30-year-old has struggled on the pitch so far in 2015-16, scoring just two goals in 10 Premier League starts, per WhoScored.com. Even the Manchester police are finding it impossible not to crack a joke at his expense:
"DS Dave-Missing Person-Wayne Rooney last seen in the Trafford area wearing a red shirt , any sightings please inform colleagues @gmpurmston
— GMP City Centre (@GMPCityCentre) November 1, 2015"
He remains one of Britain's most recognisable and marketable footballers, however, evidenced by the total value of his endorsement deals, per McGrath. Companies like Adidas look beyond the on-pitch performances of athletes, and Rooney's reputation as one of the club's all-time greats means he will always have a loyal following, both in England and beyond its borders.
It would make sense for Adidas to pursue Rooney given that he already plays in one of their kits, and although Nike have provided the England international with boots for years, the American company might decide not to match Adidas' offer given his recent struggles and the possibility his value as a marketing tool may start to drop soon.
Regardless, Rooney could see a significant increase in the value of the endorsement, with either Adidas offering more money or Nike deciding to improve his terms to keep him around.
