Roger Federer ending deal with Nike termed ‘Atrocity’ by former Nike Director who expresses regret
Roger Federer and Nike decided to part ways in 2018. Former Tennis director at Nike, Mike Nakajima shares his views on the deal and why he thinks it was not a good decision by the apparel giant.
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Roger Federer in Nike outfit (Image Credit: The Business Journals)
For a long time, Roger Federer and Nike were synonymous to each other. Nike signed the 13-year old Swiss when nobody knew much about him. This partnership paid off for both the 20-time Grand Slam champion and the apparel giant for 24 years. Nike sold millions of products with ‘RF’ logo while Roger Federer made Nike a household name across the world.
However, in 2018, the partnership came to an end. UniQlo, Japanese apparel giant signed him for a $300 million deal to become the face of their campaign and as his sponsor. Mike Nakajima who worked with Roger Federer during his tenure at Nike thinks that letting go Swiss Legend was a huge mistake.
Nike worked with many tennis players such as Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, etc. and made them global superstars, but Mr. Nakajima thinks that none of them was like the Swiss Legend.
“Roger would have been famous on his own for sure. Even if he was playing for any other brand. But he became a lot bigger because of Nike’s marketing machine. The exposure that Nike can provide to an athlete is amazing. Obviously, you have to have success on the court, which Roger had. He won a few US Opens; that opened many people’s eyes,” he said.
Hence, when Roger Federer decided to walk out of Nike and chose UniQlo as its sponsors, Mr. Nakajima was shocked. Mr. Nakajima left Nike in 2017 to start his own business, but he still believes that it should not have happened. Relevant Tennis shared the opinions of Mr. Nakajima on this deal.
“That should never have happened. For us to let somebody like that go, it’s an atrocity. Roger Federer belonged with Nike for the rest of his career. Just like Michael Jordan. Like LeBron James, like Tiger Woods. He’s right up there with the all-time greatest Nike athletes ever. I’m still disappointed. But it happened. I have to get over it. It wasn’t my decision and I wasn’t there for it,” the caption read.
Roger Federer in 2022 decided to hang his boots, but his deal with UniQlo continues.
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Roger Federer can return to Wimbledon
The eight-time Wimbledon champion can walk into the halo grounds of All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club again but this time as a commentator. Roger Federer made his last appearance at the grass court tournament last year, when his achievements along with other Wimbledon champions were celebrated on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Centre Court.
It will be a different experience for the 20-time Grand Slam champion. He may have to analyze the performances of the other players and give his opinions as a non-partisan commentator. Many of his contemporaries are also excited to learn this news.
“I mean Roger can do whatever he likes, he’s going to be welcome anywhere he goes. He knows tennis, he loves tennis, he is well respected, he’s such a classy guy and definitely that would be awesome for us to have him somewhere related to tennis,” Alex Corretja said in a recent interview.
Hence, this year’s Wimbledon tournament is going to be very special for the players and the fans.
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Abhar Indorkar
(451 Articles Published)