The DFB has been sharply criticized for the announced change of supplier from Adidas to Nike. Watzke and Neuendorf defend themselves.
The change of supplier announced by the DFB on Wednesday caused a storm of indignation. From 2027, the German Football Association (DFB) will be kitted out by US giant Nike for at least eight years, ending its long partnership with Adidas. There was harsh criticism from politicians.
DFL Supervisory Board Chairman and BVB Managing Director Hans-Joachim Watzke said he was “extremely” annoyed by comments from politicians about the upcoming change. “There are people who five years ago were still saying: “Patriotism pisses me off” and are now suddenly discovering patriotism,” said Watzke, who is also DFB vice-president, in an interview with Sky. “The only sensible thing I read was the sentence from the Chancellor: that this is the association’s business.”
Watzke did not mention the name, but meant Economics Minister Robert Habeck with his criticism. The Green politician said of the Nike deal that he would have “wished for a bit more local patriotism”. A few years ago, he had emphasized that he had always found love of one’s fatherland “to suck”.
Two and a half months before the start of the home European Championships, the DFB surprisingly announced on Thursday that the contract with long-term partner Adidas would expire at the end of 2026 after more than 70 years. From 2027 until the end of 2034, the DFB will be kitted out by US rival Nike. Numerous politicians criticized this. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) also spoke of a “wrong decision, where commerce destroys a tradition and a piece of home”.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf “stunned”
He was “stunned” by some of the comments, said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf on ZDF before the international match in France. Especially because they were made “without knowledge of the facts and background”.
“It was clear that this was such a big issue in the public eye and I can well understand that,” said Watzke. “When I was confronted with it, I also had to catch my breath. It was a long-standing relationship between the DFB and Adidas.” The DFB “had to issue a non-discriminatory invitation to tender, and we adhered to this”.
DFB receives more than 100 million euros per year from Nike
The difference between the bids was “so gigantic”. “There was simply no other solution. If you put it out to tender, then at some point someone is going to be angry,” said Watzke. Rules cannot be created and then be commented on in politics “that this is unpatriotic. I just thought that was totally wrong,” said Watzke.
According to a report in the “Handelsblatt” newspaper, citing industry circles, Nike’s involvement with the DFB will cost it more than 100 million euros per year. Adidas is said to have paid 50 million euros a year to the association so far