Federer vs Nike - "tension between parties for sure, but no official split"

[Subway Tennis]

The source is Darren Rovell.

I saw a tweet earlier in the week about Roger leaving Nike and also a post on here discussing the possibility.

Rovell is more circumspect and indicates Roger is still a Nike athlete as of right now.

"Just DON'T do it?"

Nike would obviously love to keep Federer, but if he is asking for an amount that is not acceptable, Nike may walk away. Nike holds several points of leverage, and it may be able to get Federer for significantly less than what he is demanding. Worst case scenario is they lose Federer, but retain his branding, while also freeing up cash to sign up more emerging generational stars in far more profitable markets like basketball and soccer.

Potentially interesting sports marketing case study in the works if Roger and Nike were to part ways.

The most interesting thing to come out of this so far for me is the factoid that Nike owns the RF logo and branding system, not Roger. This branding system is in everything from the clothes he markets to his social media presence but it is also used in charity organisations which are thought to be run under Roger's own auspices, like The RF Foundation.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Fed's Nike kits need a serious upgrade as of late but I cant imagine him in Uniqlo garb either.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Fed's Nike kits need a serious upgrade as of late but I cant imagine him in Uniqlo garb either.

Agree. Im struggling to picture it.

 

[Chadillac]

Reduced play = Reduced pay

Nike is right

 

[Deon Sanders]

Nike might own the logo but they don't own his likeness

In all reality its going to be hard to sell RF stuff when you cant use the actual Roger Federer to market it

At that point its no different than me selling shirts that say RF on them in a different font

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Nike might own the logo but they don't own his likeness

In all reality its going to be hard to sell RF stuff when you cant use the actual Roger Federer to market it

At that point its no different than me selling shirts that say RF on them in a different font

That's true actually

How do you sell RF shirts when you can't say "Federer" any more? Or associate them with Federer?
They will basically just be shirts with two random letters on them.

In light of that Nike might be willing to just sell the brand to him. It's of no use to them any more if Fed leaves. They'd probably rather get out of tennis and they still have the Jordan brand which is more valuable anyway

 

[True Fanerer]

None of this makes sense. Nike needs to whatever they have to do to keep the GOAT.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

That's true actually

How do you sell RF shirts when you can't say "Federer" any more? Or associate them with Federer?
They will basically just be shirts with two random letters on them.

In light of that Nike might be willing to just sell the brand to him. It's of no use to them any more if Fed leaves. They'd probably rather get out of tennis and they still have the Jordan brand which is more valuable anyway

Do you believe that the ATP may be interested in purchasing the monogram? As an early token of appreciation for their future boss?

 

[True Fanerer]

Do you believe that the ATP may be interested in purchasing the monogram? As an early token of appreciation for their future boss?

There's a good idea.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

There's a good idea.

GOATP.

 

[True Fanerer]

GOATP.

I can see Federer post tennis career doing more for the game than anyone ever has after retirement. He loves it that much.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Who has the license for "Fedr"?

 

[Deleted member 743561]

I can see Federer post tennis career doing more for the game than anyone ever has after retirement. He loves it that much.

Agreed. If they don't acquiesce to his influence, I could see a "rival" tour having success under him. Laver Cup was a smashing success. He and Godsick may be testing the waters, if you ask me.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

I can see Federer post tennis career doing more for the game than anyone ever has after retirement. He loves it that much.

Easy title to get too. Pretty much only has Agassi as competition. And McEnroe with his fabulous commentary

 

[True Fanerer]

Easy title to get too. Pretty much only has Agassi as competition. And McEnroe with his fabulous commentary

Just think how long he has played. It's not going to be easy for him to leave it behind. It won't be easy for anyone to accept. He'll have to participate in a big way to keep the sport alive. I'm interested to see what he plans to do.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Just think how long he has played. It's not going to be easy for him to leave it behind. It won't be easy for anyone to accept. He'll have to participate in a big way to keep the sport alive. I'm interested to see what he plans to do.

Biggest Q for me is: what's his first order of business as the tour's new chief? Dispenses with PC and nixes clay once and for all?

Complete seriousness, believe he'd be really proactive about cleaning it up big time.

 

[True Fanerer]

Biggest Q for me is: what's his first order of business as the tour's new chief? Dispenses with PC and nixes clay once and for all?

Complete seriousness, believe he'd be really proactive about cleaning it up big time.

Tradition is important to Federer. The one thing I believe he would want to enforce the most is time between points. He'd nip that in the bud and quick like. It's in his nature.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Biggest Q for me is: what's his first order of business as the tour's new chief? Dispenses with PC and nixes clay once and for all?

Complete seriousness, believe he'd be really proactive about cleaning it up big time.

Clay will probably be phased out in the coming decades anyway, although grass probably will too.
I'd prefer to keep the surface variety myself.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Clay will probably be phased out in the coming decades anyway, although grass probably will too.
I'd prefer to keep the surface variety myself.

With interest in the game at the pro level fading so dramatically, they're going to have to go in bold and innovative directions. Fed's forward-thinking, "attacking" game will translate well to this new role, should it materialize. I expect revenue sources to veer pretty radically. Sponsors would no longer steer the ship.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

With interest in the game at the pro level fading so dramatically, they're going to have to go in bold and innovative directions. Fed's forward-thinking, "attacking" game will translate well to this new role, should it materialize. I expect revenue sources to veer pretty radically. Sponsors would no longer steer the ship.

Could be interesting times ahead.

One thing I do want is more team tennis events. So much fun compared to the relative seriousness of knock out tournament-style singles.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Fedal doubles and the Laver Cup was a massive success

 

[MasturB]

Fed doesn't need the RF logo.

I said this in the other thread. The RF logo is stale and has needed a refresh. I honestly dont own any RF logo stuff. I have some old Fed polos that have the logo on the arm or collar but no hats or specific RF shirts.

I am not even a Rafa fan but I still own two hats that have the Bull logo because the logo itself is cool.

Fed and Godsick could make his own brand. With a new logo that would be similar to Jordans Jumpman logo. I would hope it's a jumping Federer forehand or him in the open stance forehand loading position. It would sell way better than the RF stuff. The RF letters are just too bland. They don't get creative with it either. Just change color tones on hat. Has to tell you something when I'm a diehard Fed fan for a long time and I'd rather buy a Rafa hat with the bull logo which is unique over an RF hat.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Fed doesn't need the RF logo.

I said this in the other thread. The RF logo is stale and has needed a refresh. I honestly dont own any RF logo stuff. I have some old Fed polos that have the logo on the arm or collar but no hats or specific RF shirts.

I am not even a Rafa fan but I still own two hats that have the Bull logo because the logo itself is cool.

Fed and Godsick could make his own brand. With a new logo that would be similar to Jordans Jumpman logo. I would hope it's a jumping Federer forehand or him in the open stance forehand loading position. It would sell way better than the RF stuff. The RF letters are just too bland. They don't get creative with it either. Just change color tones on hat. Has to tell you something when I'm a diehard Fed fan for a long time and I'd rather buy a Rafa hat with the bull logo which is unique over an RF hat.

Federer and Godsick's team 8 group doesnt have the design, style, R & D or manufacturing nouse to challenge Nike with a rival line, but they are a formidable marketing / management team. They are expert at visibility which is Federer's biggest value to Nike.

If they created a new line, do you think they would ever strike out on their own, or would they re-partner again with another Lifestyle or Sports apparel company?

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Federer and Godsick's team 8 group doesnt have the design, style, R & D or manufacturing nouse to challenge Nike with a rival line, but they are a formidable marketing / management team. They are expert at visibility which is Federer's biggest value to Nike.

If they created a new line, do you think they would ever strike out on their own, or would they re-partner again with another Lifestyle or Sports apparel company?

Maybe the plan is to partner with Uniqlo for this purpose

 

[BeatlesFan]

Reduced play = Reduced pay

Nike is right

Yes, that's why Michael Jordan (who hasn't played in 15+ years and thus has NO play), got a lifetime contract.

Also, there are multiple threads on this which addressed all these issues 5 hours before this thread was started. Just sayin'.

 

[Sentinel]

Fed's Nike kits need a serious upgrade as of late but I cant imagine him in Uniqlo garb either.

Uniqlo garbAGE either

FTFY

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Uniqlo garbAGE either

FTFY

 

[Bobby Jr]

Nike might own the logo but they don't own his likeness

In all reality its going to be hard to sell RF stuff when you cant use the actual Roger Federer to market it

By the time the RF logo was created Federer had good enough representation that there is no chance his deal didn't include a condition that without him being part of the RF brand there is no RF brand.

These guys don't make the sort of hack deals people seem to be implying here by the way they talk of it.

Moreso, Darren Rovell consistently includes half-truths or outright fabrications in his articles, probably to appear as more is an insider than he really is. I give this prediction a 5/10 rating. Nike renewal discussions would have been in progress for more than a year, if not longer. If they're at the stage of parting then it will be because of ongoing failures to find a happy deal for both with the added pressure of growing brands like UNIQLO upping the ante.

 

[vex]

Nike should ditch Fed.

Sometimes an athlete is worth more to one company than he is to another. Such is the case with Uniqlo and Nike.

Uniqlo is using fed to launch brand expansion.

Nike is using Fed to try to sell “meh” polos marked up by $90...

Fed’s CURRENT contract is already a borderline overpay for Nike considering they have Rafa. Is Nike gonna sell $200 polos to make thier money back?

Nike Tennis is already in the dustbin and likely bordering on unprofitable. No chance they give Fed a big raise. They’ll use that money elsewhere on more profitable ventures. And they can always get Fed back at a cheaper deal after the Uniqlo contract and shiit our legacy Fed junk.

Uniqlo is using Fed to try to do something Nike doesn’t need to do: Introduce it’s entire freaking brand to the western market. That’s why they will bid something Nike won’t even consider matching

 

[Raindogs]

I hear tell that he has already signed with Hydrogen so expect a Wimbledon Fed kit festooned with evil menacing skulls and the like.

 

[Subway Tennis]

By the time the RF logo was created Federer had good enough representation that there is no chance his deal didn't include a condition that without him being part of the RF brand there is no RF brand.

These guys don't make the sort of hack deals people seem to be implying here by the way they talk of it.

What we can confirm is that Nike owns that RF logo. Not Federer. It was a big suprise to me.

That ownership is independent of the previous endorsement contract Nike had with Federer which ended some months ago.

There has been radio silence from Federer on this matter publicly, which makes perfect sense from his standpoint commercially.

It is interesting to watch it all unfold, and we are reliant on tidbits from the insiders.

I didnt have any problems with Darren Rovells comments though? I was happy he weighed in. He was very circumspect about the whole thing. If anything he acted to stop people (like me) jumping to conclusions and wasnt sensationalising things. I feel like his use of the word "tension" was acceptable given the previous contract lapsed some time ago with no renewal as yet?

 

[AiRFederer]

Ttw

Who has the license for "Fedr"?

 

[Sentinel]

Nike should dump Roger and pay Tomic a few million more.

 

[Bobby Jr]

What we can confirm is that Nike owns that RF logo. Not Federer. It was a big suprise to me.

No, you can't. Darren Rovell said it and people have mirrored it. He also once said Djokovic had signed with Nike too among a myriad of other things which, while interesting, never happened.

That ownership is independent of the previous endorsement contract Nike had with Federer which ended some months ago.

All contracts of this ilk have extension-while-negotiating clauses.

There has been radio silence from Federer on this matter publicly, which makes perfect sense from his standpoint commercially.

As would be the case with any competent person or organisation. They don't talk about anything publicly, especially to journalists, until a deal is done.

It is interesting to watch it all unfold, and we are reliant on tidbits from the insiders.

Journalists who desperately need to be first on the scene so much that they expand rumours massively out of proportion to any legitimate information are not "insiders."

I didnt have any problems with Darren Rovells comments though? I was happy he weighed in. He was very circumspect about the whole thing...

Ditto. I was giving context to his track record for writing whatever it takes to get eyeballs on his articles. In the current climate that means exaggerating things and stating random rumours as from being "insider" info.

Tip: "insider" mostly means it was made up in the case of modern news - sports news especially.

 

[donquijote]

Nike should dump Roger and pay Tomic a few million more.

They can get Sureshovic cheaper.

 

[Subway Tennis]

No, you can't. Darren Rovell said it and people have mirrored it. He also once said Djokovic had signed with Nike too among a myriad of other things which, while interesting, never happened.


All contracts of this ilk have extension-while-negotiating clauses.


As would be the case with any competent person or organisation. They don't talk about anything publicly, especially to journalists, until a deal is done.


Journalists who desperately need to be first on the scene so much that they expand rumours massively out of proportion to any legitimate information are not "insiders."


Ditto. I was giving context to his track record for writing whatever it takes to get eyeballs on his articles. In the current climate that means exaggerating things and stating random rumours as from being "insider" info.

Tip: "insider" mostly means it was made up in the case of modern news - sports news especially.

I heard about Nike's ownership of the RF logo elsewhere. I will try and dig out the source. Did Rovell talk about it as well when discussing this? Was it on air or via social media?

What would be considered an unusually long period to enact an extension while negotiating clause? Have Nike and Federer ever used this before to your knowledge?

Thanks for your info.

 

[insideguy]

I actually think a guy like fed or Rafa should start their own line of tennis wear. They would rake in even more bank. I know they have some stuff and having a big company behind you to distribute helps, but these guys are like companies in and of themselves now a days.

 

[MichaelNadal]

None of this makes sense. Nike needs to whatever they have to do to keep the GOAT.

They already have Rafa

 

[Deleted member 716271]

They already have Rafa

Grats on 11 chief

 

[MichaelNadal]

Grats on 11 chief

Wings with J

 

[Bender]

The most interesting thing to come out of this so far for me is the factoid that Nike owns the RF logo and branding system, not Roger. This branding system is in everything from the clothes he markets to his social media presence but it is also used in charity organisations which are thought to be run under Roger's own auspices, like The RF Foundation.

UNIQLO TTW to the rescue!

 

[AiRFederer]

They already have Rafa

Proves how cheap rafa's deal is IMO

 

[Long Face]

Without Fed himself, the RF logo with NIKE is worthless. People will only follow what Fed endorses.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I think Fed will beat Nike in straight sets

 

[Kozzy]

Tennis as a TV sport has minimal interest in the US now - is not what it once was, but is that true around the world? Also, I think attending a tournament is probably one of the best spectator experiences a person can have. I say that as a huge fan and tennis enthusiast, but I went to Montreal with a couple more casual fans and they were blown away by what a great experience it was. I fear that changing the game to be more "exciting" for TV viewers will make it much less appealing to the people who actually go to the events. Maybe not, but what I saw as a product that didn't need to be improved...

 

[Subway Tennis]

Without Fed himself, the RF logo with NIKE is worthless. People will only follow what Fed endorses.

Nike would be losing a big amount of visibility for its brand more broadly, too.

Who is more valuable to whom in your opinion? Nike to Federer or Federer to Nike?

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Wings with J

Just had Buffalo Boss Hot Wings and it was whack

 

[snvplayer]

IMO, Nike has a history of disagreements in contracts with players nearing retirement - Sampras and Agassi (though it was more amiable with Agassi, I think)

Federer has more to lose by walking out - he's looking at 1~2 more years on the tour and he doesn't need unnecessary trouble of finding and adjusting to a new clothing and shoes sponsor. Nike knows - Federer walking out on them sure will hurt Nike's reputation on how they view and treat their relationships with players, but they are big enough company to offer lucrative deals to attract players.

This is kind of sad...

 

[Russeljones]

The source is Darren Rovell.

I saw a tweet earlier in the week about Roger leaving Nike and also a post on here discussing the possibility.

Rovell is more circumspect and indicates Roger is still a Nike athlete as of right now.

"Just DON'T do it?"

Nike would obviously love to keep Federer, but if he is asking for an amount that is not acceptable, Nike may walk away. Nike holds several points of leverage, and it may be able to get Federer for significantly less than what he is demanding. Worst case scenario is they lose Federer, but retain his branding, while also freeing up cash to sign up more emerging generational stars in far more profitable markets like basketball and soccer.

Potentially interesting sports marketing case study in the works if Roger and Nike were to part ways.

The most interesting thing to come out of this so far for me is the factoid that Nike owns the RF logo and branding system, not Roger. This branding system is in everything from the clothes he markets to his social media presence but it is also used in charity organisations which are thought to be run under Roger's own auspices, like The RF Foundation.

I think he might force them to hand it over.

 

[True Fanerer]

They already have Rafa