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Adidas AG has become the new official ball sponsor of the Saudi Pro League for the mid-season games. The new partnership deal will replace its fierce rival, Nike Inc., and it is set to take effect in February.
Insider Sport reported that the Saudi Pro League (SPL) changed its ball supplier and announced its new agreement with Adidas this week. The German sports apparel company will take over Nike's spot and sponsor the league for the rest of the 2023/24 season.
Adidas and SPL's Sponsorship Deal
With their ball sponsorship agreement, the teams at SPL, which is also known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), will start using Adidas-branded balls in the matches next month until May. Adidas will then supply an exclusive ball for the upcoming 2024-25 season starting in August, as per SportCal.
The company said that all the teams will play on the field with its "Oceaunz" pro football.
The said model was also used in the official matches of the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last year. Oceanuz is the ninth ball that Adidas has made for the Women's World Cup.
Adidas In, Nike Out
The ball for the 2024/25 mid-season games of the SPL, which is the highest division of association football in the Saudi league system, will get footballs with upgraded color palettes. At any rate, it was reported that this is not the first time that Nike was replaced by Adidas because, in 2022, the Jordan shoemaker was also replaced by Adidas as the sole kit supplier in Saudi. This particular contract is set to expire in 2026.
"Adidas is proud to partner with the Saudi Pro League. The partnership builds on the brand's wider ambitions to increase sports participation across the Kingdom in line with Saudi Vision 2030," Adidas EMC's general manager, Bilal Fares, said in a statement.
SPL's vice chairman and interim CEO, Saad Allazeez, added, "Our partnership with Adidas represents a significant next step towards elevating football in Saudi Arabia. By aligning with such a recognized and respected global sportswear giant, the league enhances its international visibility and benefits from greater opportunities to attract talent, inspire investment, and foster growth that positively impacts football culture and the game's national ecosystem."
