Nike agree WSL extension and provide free boots to players as well as gloves for goalkeepers in WSL and WSL2.
In a creative collaboration, Nike has extended its sponsorship agreement with the Women’s Super League, offering free boots to all players in the top two divisions who do not have endorsement deals with other companies.
About 250 WSL and WSL2 players have agreed to receive boots from Nike as part of the partnership, according to sources with knowledge of the agreement who spoke to the Guardian. Many of these players had previously been forced to purchase their own training and match-day footwear because their clubs were not providing it.
In addition, Nike will supply match balls for the WSL, WSL2, and Women’s League Cup as well as gloves for all goalkeepers competing in the top two divisions as part of the five-year agreement. Nike, which started providing balls for all three championships three years ago, and the WSL chose not to comment.
About half of the first-team players in the top two divisions are represented among the players who have registered for boots, which gives a clear picture of the dearth of previous options. Even though women’s football has grown significantly in recent years due to England’s two European Championship victories, and most of Sarina Wiegman’s team has become well-known, many of their teammates have not been able to afford sponsored boot deals.
Since the boot firms mainly target young players and goal scorers they believe are most likely to provide eye-catching social media material, goalkeepers, defenders, and older players have had difficulty landing endorsement deals, leaving many others spending thousands of pounds every season. Many players are forced to rely on experienced teammates or agents to call in more boots from their sponsors because the average WSL wage is estimated to be just over £50,000.
The champion Chelsea will play Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Friday in the WSL’s return. In another indication of the women’s game’s expansion, Arsenal, the European champions, will host the newly promoted London City Lionesses at the Emirates Stadium, where they will play all of their home league games this season, on Saturday. The Merseyside derby will follow at Anfield the following day.