Connect with us

SPORTS

The Rise of Adidas in the BBL: New Partnerships and Strategic Shifts

Published

on

By


Adidas has had strategic equipment partnerships with Alba Berlin and the basketball players of FC Bayern Munich for many years. For the new season of the Easycredit Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), three more clubs are switching to the Franconian global brand. What’s behind it?

Alba Berlin and FC Bayern are and remain Adidas’ flagship teams in the BBL. IMAGO/camera4+

Four BBL clubs are changing their supplier for the 2024/25 season. And with Rasta Vechta, ratiopharm Ulm and Telekom Baskets Bonn, three of them will be supplied with jerseys from the Franconian company Adidas from the coming season. There is great joy at the individual locations. “The fact that we were able to win such a global brand with adidas for Rasta is the great conclusion to a long process,” says Raphael Dornieden, Managing Director Office of Rasta Vechta, for example, when the contract was signed. In the latest press releases from Ulm and Bonn, meanwhile, there is proud talk right at the start of a partnership with the “largest German sporting goods manufacturer”.

For the Bonn basketball players, the partnership brings a small circle full circle, as they are returning to their beginnings just in time for the 30th season of their club’s history: In Adidas jerseys, Bonn managed to win direct promotion to the 1st Basketball Bundesliga in the 1995/96 season as undefeated champions of the 2nd Bundesliga North, where the club still plays today and has been runner-up four times in jerseys with the three stripes (1999, 2001, 2008, 2009).

11teamsports opens door to Adidas

The new equipment contracts of Rasta Vechta and Telekom Baskets Bonn are each valid for four years, i.e. until the end of the 2027/28 season. The contract of ratiopharm Ulm is one season shorter. With their Adidas jerseys, the three clubs are joining the illustrious circle of BBL beacons Alba Berlin and FC Bayern Basketball. The “Albatrosses” have been equipped by Adidas since their founding in 1991, and the reigning German champions from Munich have also been wearing jerseys from Herzogenaurach since their promotion to the BBL in 2011.

On the other hand, there is a big difference between the Adidas partnerships of Alba Berlin and FC Bayern Basketball and the contracts now announced in Bonn, Ulm and Vechta. While the two flagships have an overarching strategic relevance for the group, the new Adidas club trio operates in a partnership triangle with the basketball retail specialist Kickz, which was taken over by 11teamsports in 2023. Eleven Teamsports GmbH was founded in Crailsheim in 2007 and has had its headquarters in Satteldorf since 2019. The logistics center there alone covers 9,000 square meters and is, according to the company, “the largest team sports warehouse in Europe”. With more than 2.5 million customers and over 60 stationary stores, 11teamsports is one of the leading European team sports retailers.

Charisma beats cash

Blanchard Obiango played a key role in initiating the partnership. The former professional basketball player (including Bamberg Baskets, Chemnitz 99ers, Hakro Merlins Crailsheim, Rasta Vechta) now acts as Head of Teamsport Basketball at 11teamsports. “I am certain that through the partnership we will give basketball in Vechta a new status both nationally and internationally. Rasta will gain the experience of two sports giants – and we will have a partnership with a very well-run, family-run club with great youth work, whose development potential is far from exhausted,” says Obiango, speaking on behalf of the commitment in the partnership triangle with the club and supplier Adidas.

Just like in Vechta, those in charge in Ulm and Bonn are hoping that the indirect Adidas cooperation will give them more appeal, which the Franconian global brand will have on the club locations compared to their previous partners Joma (Ulm), Macron (Vechta) and Spalding (Bonn) and, according to the calculation, could lead to increased sales in merchandising, for example. In return, the clubs are also willing to forego the higher annual cash payments that a direct equipment contract with a sports brand usually brings them. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Such indirect partnership constellations with trading partners have been on the rise in professional sport for several years. For example, FC Schalke 04 found its way back to Adidas for the 2022/23 season via 11teamsports after the direct group agreement with the Herzogenaurach-based group was no longer continued after 55 years in 2018. In the Bundesliga, for example, SC Freiburg and Nike as well as 1. FC Heidenheim and Puma cooperate with 11teamsports in the partnership triangle.

The suppliers in the BBL season 2024/25

Brand* No. of teams (excluding Würzburg Baskets) Adidas 5 Alba Berlin, Bayern Munich, Ratiopharm Ulm, SC Rasta Vechta, Telekom Baskets Bonn Macron 3 BG Göttingen, Frankfurt Skyliners, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg Craft 2 Syntainics MBC, Veolia Towers Hamburg Owayo 2 Chemnitz 99ers, EWE Baskets Oldenburg Puma 2 Baskets Bamberg, BB Löwen Braunschweig Joma 1 MLP Academics Heidelberg Warrior 1 Rostock Seawolves

Spalding on the retreat in the BBL

Whether through direct, group-controlled agreements or in cooperation with Kickz and 11teamsports: In the 2024/25 season, most BBL clubs will de facto be wearing Adidas jerseys. Five of the only 17 clubs in the coming season will be wearing jerseys from the Franconian brand – almost a third of all clubs. Adidas is thus overtaking the Italian outfitter Macron, which still has three partnerships after losing its mandate with Rasta Vechta (see graphic above).

Apart from that, as of today, there are five different suppliers in the BBL with one or two collaborations (Craft, Joma, Owayo, Puma, Warrior). Spalding, on the other hand, will no longer act as a supplier in the BBL in the 2024/25 season. The company is not only withdrawing as a partner in Bonn, but according to information from kicker, also from the Würzburg Baskets. However, it is not yet known who will succeed Spalding at the Würzburg team.

In addition, Spalding will no longer provide the official match ball for the BBL from the coming 2024/25 season. The partnership that has existed since the 2007/08 season was not extended. Instead, Spalding will be replaced in the BBL by the US brand Baden Sports, founded in 1979, which in turn works with the Baden-Württemberg sporting goods company Uhlsport as a distribution partner in Germany.

2024-07-09 10:42:15
#Basketball #Adidas #biggest #supplier #BBL

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SPORTS

SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

Published

on

By

The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

SPORTS

NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

Published

on

By

In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

SPORTS

A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

Published

on

By

Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

Trending