http://0rz.net/981eZ [excerpts] Nike, the American sportswear corporation, were dealt a major blow yesterday by Thierry Henry's shock transfer to their arch rivals, Reebok. While Arsenal might be more concerned with Henry's decision on a new contract with the club, the move is nevertheless a major surprise, coming only 58 days before the start of the World Cup finals in Germany. In a major coup for Reebok, and their German owners Adidas, Henry's lucrative deal with Nike, thought to be worth at least ￡1 million a year, will come to an end after the tournament. From Aug 1 he will instead become the latest sporting icon to appear in Reebok's "I Am What I Am" campaign, which in America has mixed rap stars such as 50 Cent and Jay Z with basketball heroes such as Allen Iverson. British boxer Amir Khan was recently hired to join the advertising campaign. ... The Henry announcement was made by Adidas in central London yesterday. Nike are known to be puzzled at suggestions that Henry decided to quit after becoming unhappy with the way he was being promoted. They cite the fact that last year they asked Henry to front an anti-racism campaign after the Frenchman urged them to get involved. ------ http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9071-2130213,00.html [excerpts] The deal is believed to top the previous ￡9 million, five-year contract that Henry signed with Nike, the market leader in sports clothes and footwear. Henry instigated Nike’s “Stand Up Speak Up” campaign to stamp out racism in football. Henry defects to Reebok in August after completing his World Cup promotions for Nike. The deal does not affect Arsenal’s seven-year ￡55 million deal to wear Nike kit, should he choose to stay with the club beyond the summer. Henry’s move follows the acquisition of Reebok by adidas-Salomon in a ￡2.1 billion deal. Last month adidas said that Reebok’s orders in the fourth quarter had plunged 22 per cent after a fall in the third quarter. Reebok is seeking to increase its star football presence. Ryan Giggs is its most famous face. Adidas has secured a ￡130 million new kit deal with Liverpool. Nike’s football-related revenue has grown over a decade from ￡30 million a year to ￡850 million and it has an estimated 33 per cent share of the market, compared with adidas’s 35 per cent. Nike’s interests in golf, basketball and athletics make it the global sportswear market leader. --

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