Change of equipment at the DFB: Economics Minister Robert Habeck open to talks with DFB President Bernd Neuendorf

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Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck at a cabinet meeting

Photo: Tobias Schwarz / AFP

Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck can imagine speaking to DFB President Bernd Neuendorf about the association's change of supplier. »First of all, big congratulations on the national team’s victory yesterday. Joy of playing, commitment and passion - I'm looking forward to the European Championships," said the Green politician to the German Press Agency after the DFB team won 2-0 on Saturday evening in France. "And of course, we always like to talk - then maybe also about sport, tradition and capital and also about promoting youth sports."

Habeck criticized the DFB's deal with US sporting goods manufacturer Nike on Thursday. From 2027, the German national football teams will no longer be equipped by Adidas, but by Nike. He would have liked “a bit more local patriotism from the association,” said Habeck. Other politicians expressed similar criticism. This left Neuendorf “a little bit stunned,” he said in an interview with ZDF on Saturday.

The statements were strange “especially coming from him,” said the former state politician Neuendorf, referring to Habeck. “This is about competition, this is about a market economy.” The DFB will not apologize for accepting the better offer. "It's about not damaging the association, and we would certainly have done that if we hadn't accepted this offer." Neuendorf offered Habeck a conversation about the background to the change of supplier.

Nike probably pays more than 100 million euros per year

The DFB announced on Thursday that the contract with long-term partner Adidas would expire at the end of 2026 after more than 70 years. Nike will equip the DFB from 2027 until the end of 2034. According to a report in the Handelsblatt, Nike's involvement with the DFB is said to cost more than 100 million euros per year. Adidas is said to have paid 50 million euros annually to the association so far. Nike's offering was "far above" those of its competitors, said Neuendorf.

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