French sign new Nike sponsorship deal

PARIS (AP) - The French national team will end its long sponsorship deal with Adidas in 2011 in favor of a €320-million (US$506 million) contract with Nike.

The French soccer federation said Friday the American sports equipment firm outbid Adidas and French company Airness, promising to pay €42.66 million (US$63.4 million) per year until the end of the 2017-2018 season. The federation will get about half that amount in the final year.

Germany-based Adidas has sponsored Les Bleus since 1972.

"The difference was made in terms of finance, and the difference there was significant," the FFF said, without offering details of the other bids.

"For French soccer and those who will come after us, the federal council owed itself to go with the highest bidder," FFF director general Jacques Lambert said.

Les Bleus will wear Adidas gear at this year's European Championship and at the 2010 World Cup if it qualifies.