By Chris Oddo | Friday April 5, 2019
Goodbye Adidas... Naomi Osaka signs an apparel deal with Nike.
Photo Source: Nike
Naomi Osaka has left Adidas and signed a long-term apparel deal with American apparel maker Nike. The news dropped on Thursday evening as IMG tweeted the news.
Osaka tweeted a thank you message to Nike for welcoming her to the team shortly thereafter.
Osaka will will wear the Zoom Zero on the court starting April 22 in Stuttgart, according to Nike.
“I’m proud to become a member of the Nike family and excited about getting involved in all of the opportunities Nike has to offer,” said Osaka in a statement. “Nike has a legendary track record of writing history and I look forward to being a part of those moments for many years to come.”
Osaka’s deal with Nike is her sixth new deal since she won her maiden major title at the 2018 U.S. Open. She has also inked deals with Shiseido and Nissan of late. Nissin Foods, Citizen Watches and All Nippon Airways are a few of her other key sponsors.
With interest ramping up ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, this appears to be a key strategic move for Nike. Terms of the deal are unknown.
“As we continue to inspire millions of athletes to chase their crazy dreams, Naomi is an incredible talent to add to our roster and help drive our commitment to inspiring a new generation of female athletes,” says Amy Montagne VP, GM of Global Categories. “We are thrilled to have her join our team."