adidas and Major League Soccer extend partnership worth $200 million

adidas and Major League Soccer have extended their strategic partnership agreement aimed at further elevating soccer in the United States and developing opportunities for young players. The partnership extends adidas’ position as the official athletic sponsor and product supplier for the MLS through 2018.

Core to the new agreement is a dedicated focus on youth development and programming to help shape the future of the sport in North America.

“The United States is a breeding ground for athletic talent and we need to ensure our homegrown athletes have viable opportunities to play soccer at the highest level,” said Patrik Nilsson, president, adidas America. “We need to accelerate the model for soccer development in North America to attract and keep elite talent engaged and excited about professional opportunities in the sport. We share a long-term vision with MLS to develop the game and are excited to foster the next generation of American soccer stars.”

adidas upped its sponsorship deal with MLS to $200 million, reports Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Journal, who writes that the deal is worth $25 million annually, representing a 66 percent increase per year from adidas’ 10-year, $150 million agreement signed in 2004.

Four years were still left on a 10-year, $150 million agreement with MLS when adidas opened the contract and agreed to new terms that will see it remain the official athletic sponsor and licensed product supplier to MLS through 2018.

adidas has been a partner of MLS since the league’s inception in 1996. In 2004, adidas and MLS announced an exclusive partnership agreement that named adidas the official athletic sponsor and product supplier, outfitting all league teams and supplying the league’s official match ball.

“One of the major reasons Major League Soccer has become one of the top soccer leagues in the world is due to the support and commitment of adidas,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “They have a clear vision for the sport in North America, and they see MLS as a cornerstone of that vision. Our extension with adidas is a major statement by an internationally respected brand that MLS is increasing in value and that our commitments to stadium construction, strategic expansion, player development and improvement in the overall quality of play are playing dividends.”

adidas partners with many of the world’s soccer clubs and federations including Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Germany and Japan. adidas is an official partner of FIFA, UEFA and the Confederations of African Football. adidas also sponsors world-class athletes like Juan Pablo Angel, Jozy Altidore, Fredy Montero, Lionel Messi, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Michael Ballack, Xavi, Frank Lampard and Andres Guardado, among others.