Corinthians to End Nike Kit Deal at the End of 2025?
- Potential End to Nike Partnership: Reports suggest Corinthians may terminate their long-standing kit deal with Nike at the end of 2025 due to strained relations and a contract dispute over an automatic renewal clause.
- Contract Dispute and Legal Action: Nike's representative in Brazil, Fisia, claims to have automatically renewed the contract until 2029, which Corinthians disputes, potentially leading to legal action.
- Corinthians Seeking Higher Value: Despite an improved offer from Nike, Corinthians believes their market value is higher than what Nike is offering compared to deals with rival clubs, leading them to explore new sponsorship options, potentially worth up to R$1 billion.
A major shake-up could be coming in Brazilian football’s kit sponsor landscape, as reports from Mantos do Futebol and Gazeta Esportiva suggest Corinthians may be set to end their long-standing partnership with Nike by December 2025, despite Nike claiming otherwise.
Corinthians to End Nike Kit Deal
Nike and Corinthians have been partners since 2003, forming one of the longest-running kit deals in Brazil. However, relations between the club and the American brand, operated in Brazil by Fisia, appear to be strained, with a contractual standoff potentially leading to legal action.
According to reports, Fisia triggered an automatic renewal clause at the end of 2024, extending the deal through 2029. They claim they followed protocol by notifying the club via registered letter and emails. However, Corinthians argue the current contract, signed in 2017, was with a different entity and that Fisia’s renewal is invalid. The club insists the deal ends in December 2025.
Stalled Talks, Judicial Threats
Throughout 2024, both sides held multiple meetings but failed to reach a mutual agreement. Corinthians, led by president Augusto Melo, do not recognize Fisia as a legal representative of Nike in Brazil. Nike, on the other hand, is reportedly prepared to go to court to enforce the extension.
Renewal Offer Still Falls Short
Nike’s proposed renewal includes improved terms - increasing royalties from 14% to 25% and raising the annual fixed payment from $3.8 million to $6.2 million (approx. R$ 35 million). In 2024, the club reportedly earned R$ 10 million from royalties alone.
Still, these figures lag behind rivals: Palmeiras earns about R$50 million from Puma (with performance bonuses pushing that up to R$60M), while Flamengo receives around R$70 million from Adidas, with the potential to hit R$90 million. Corinthians believe their market value should place them at the top tier of kit sponsorships in Brazil, and Nike’s offer doesn’t reflect that.
While the current Nike deal prohibits Corinthians from openly negotiating with other brands, rumors are swirling. Sources suggest the club is quietly exploring options, and an announcement of a new billion-real deal could be imminent.
President Augusto Melo, under pressure due to financial mismanagement allegations and a rejected 2024 financial report, hinted at a game-changing agreement during a recent press briefing. According to Identidade Corinthiana, this could involve a new kit supplier from 2026 with a potential deal worth up to R$ 1 billion.
Fans are speculating about possible replacements. Adidas, currently without a São Paulo-based club after parting ways with São Paulo FC in 2024, is a leading candidate. Puma, which sponsors star player Memphis Depay, is also being mentioned, but a move seems unlikely after recently renewing with Palmeiras. A restructured deal with Nike could also be possible, but it would require both parties to scrap the automatic renewal and sign a fresh contract.
Nike continues to strengthen its portfolio in Brazil, with current deals in place with Atlético Mineiro and Vasco da Gama, and a long-term contract with the Seleção running through 2038.
Could Corinthians be gearing up for a historic switch in 2026? Let us know your thoughts.
