Real Madrid superstar considering leaving Nike for mystery brand in Michael Jordan-inspired move
· Yahoo Sports
Kylian Mbappe hasn’t had the best year so far. After an electric start to last season, his form fell off during the second half of the campaign, while the forward’s actions have been much criticised by the Real Madrid fans.
Visit milkshake.it.com for more information.
Mbappe is now focusing on the World Cup ahead. But off the field, it appears he is ready to make some big decisions.
According to L’Equipe, Mbappe is weighing up a departure from Nike to join a new, as yet unnamed brand that is not affiliated with any of the established players in the football kit market.
Adidas, Under Armour and Puma are all said to be out of the running.
The Michael Jordan inspiration
Mbappe could look to build his own brand. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The model Mbappe is reportedly drawn to is inspired by Michael Jordan’s relationship with Nike, which gave birth to the Air Jordan brand.
The brand made the basketball legend one of the wealthiest athletes in history through direct participation in the brand’s commercial growth and profits.
According to the report, Mbappe would not simply be a sponsored athlete but an active participant in the development of the new brand.
This would include a direct financial stake in its expansion and revenue. It would represent a significant shift in how a top footballer relates to his commercial partners.
The famous Nike ad
Mbappe’s focus will be on the World Cup. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The report emerges just days after Nike released a high-profile global advertising campaign featuring some of the biggest names in world football, including Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappe himself was a part of the campaign, along with LeBron James and several other Nike-sponsored stars from football and beyond.
Keeping that in mind, it will be interesting to see if Mbappe decides to leave Nike in the same summer he was involved in their biggest marketing push.