Nishikori to Asics or Adidas

[Ihatetennis]

I have heard Nishikori and Uniqlo aren't going to renew their contract.

Asics is making a bid for him to wear them head to toe including shoes.

Adidas is also putting a big offer so they can get another top player in their clothes.

 

[Eichiro]

Where did you hear this?

 

[FedLIKEnot]

I think both would be interesting tho Asics would be better I think tho they seem content in a sense with their penetration in the tennis market. Adidas NEEDS him after losing Murray.

 

[Ihatetennis]

Where did you hear this?

I have a friend who knows the main reps for the brands and is very good friends with them. There are lots of negotiations but asics is offering big bucks, and uniqlo won't match

 

[Seth]

Asics is a Japanese brand, and they made a HUGE push into the tennis world in 2015. Picking up Kei would be another great signing to their growing list of clothing/footwear ambassadors.

It would still surprise me if Kei left Uniqlo.

 

[baseline_monster]

Nishikori is a big player for any brand down to the exposure he would give a brand in Asia. Asics like new balance have gone huge in the retro sneaker market and are big players, mate not as much in the states but in Europe definitely.

 

[kimguroo]

Hopefully Asics won't be like K-swiss.
K-swiss spent so much money and they gave endorsements to almost everyone a few years ago. seems like the strategy was failed and barely see K-swiss players nowadays. Asics started to do similar thing like K-Swiss nowadays and not sure Asics' strategy will work since it is very similar to K-Swiss.
Good thing is Asics has good shoes in their product line unlike K-Swiss (In my opinion, they did not have any signature products at all).
the common thing between Asics and K-swiss is.... Price hike!!!!
We are already seeing more expensive Asics products (especially apparels) than 2-3 years ago. If Asics signs with Nishikori, we might see another $5-10 price hike. If Asics gets Kei, they should not spend anymore endorsement money and focus on quality products.

 

[Yule1990]

When will the contract with Uniqlo expire?

 

[Ihatetennis]

When will the contract with Uniqlo expire?

This year

 

[Yule1990]

http://www.keinishikori.com//
adidas is not his sponsor any more. But Uniqlo is still his sponsor.

 

[Bobby Jr]

I would be really surprised if he left Uniqlo. Uniqlo is a massive brand in Japan, surely much bigger than Adidas by sales without doubt (since they're a general retailer, not just sports like Adidas). I'd think it was more likely he'd change shoe brands than leave Uniqlo altogether. That said, stranger things have happened. It can take something like a new CEO for a company to rethink its positioning and marketing spend and a seemingly otherwise good relationship still come to an end - especially if others are sniffing around.

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Maybe Asics will be his new footwear sponsor

 

[Dae18]

What would happen if Nike got involved in this? I know there's a lot of players that are "big stars" who are endorsing the products that Nike makes, but would it make more money over in Japan? (Even though Nike is a international brand and makes already big money)

 

[SpinToWin]

I would be really surprised if he left Uniqlo. Uniqlo is a massive brand in Japan, surely much bigger than Adidas by sales without doubt (since they're a general retailer, not just sports like Adidas). I'd think it was more likely he'd change shoe brands than leave Uniqlo altogether. That said, stranger things have happened. It can take something like a new CEO for a company to rethink its positioning and marketing spend and a seemingly otherwise good relationship still come to an end - especially if others are sniffing around.

Actually, Adidas is more than just a sports brand nowadays, they also offer casual everyday clothing.

 

[appdach96]

http://www.keinishikori.com//
adidas is not his sponsor any more. But Uniqlo is still his sponsor.

At the bottom of the website where his sponsors are listed, adidas is still there...

 

[3fees]

Here is a uniglo link , Tennis.

http://www.uniqlo.com/us/search.html?q=tennis

I see 4 tennis items, 3 shirts and One- Kei Nishikori pair of Shorts.

Sponsorship,,,, many levels, basic level pro is they provide clothes, end of the year you pay them 1% of gross earnings, string companies the same or more, shoe companies ect ,after that fewer and fewer pros get paid for there pictures on items they sell, ect, ect, blah, blah, why do think B Borg Bought Diadora ? Becker issued his own tennis strings? The top players get all the money from endorsements.

Professional Tennis is like going from a Masters to Phd, You either publish or perish.

Cheers
3Fees

 

[Bobby Jr]

Actually, Adidas is more than just a sports brand nowadays, they also offer casual everyday clothing.

Regardless, they are nothing compared to Uniqlo in Japan. Not even in the same ballpark.

 

[Nostradamus]

I have heard Nishikori and Uniqlo aren't going to renew their contract.

Asics is making a bid for him to wear them head to toe including shoes.

Adidas is also putting a big offer so they can get another top player in their clothes.

I would think Kei would never wear Asic Shoes after all those years of Barricades. once you go Barricade, you can never go back to anything else. besides Asic is completely different shoes.

 

[West Coast Ace]

OP's sources might be right - but doesn't make sense to me. Uniqlo has never been about tennis; Kei, Djokovic, and Adam Scott are just getting the brand name out in the public - they make their money selling dress/casual clothes. And they are currently in the process of a huge expansion into the US - not a sign that they're hurting for $$$$. I also think cutting Kei - while presumably keeping Djokovic - wouldn't go over well at home in Japan.

 

[Nostradamus]

OP's sources might be right - but doesn't make sense to me. Uniqlo has never been about tennis; Kei, Djokovic, and Adam Scott are just getting the brand name out in the public - they make their money selling dress/casual clothes. And they are currently in the process of a huge expansion into the US - not a sign that they're hurting for $$$$. I also think cutting Kei - while presumably keeping Djokovic - wouldn't go over well at home in Japan.

isn't ASIC , Japanese company ??

 

[West Coast Ace]

isn't ASIC , Japanese company ??

Yeah. Doesn't change my opinion. Completely different company, and reason for having endorsement deals with athletes, from Uniqlo.

 

[AMGF]

I would think Kei would never wear Asic Shoes after all those years of Barricades. once you go Barricade, you can never go back to anything else. besides Asic is completely different shoes.

In my opinion, once you played with Asics Solution Speed, everything else feels heavy and sluggish. Asics is making the best tennis shoes I ever had. I heard the sales rep say they are the most popular tennis shoe brand of all the not remunerated pros.

Anyhow, if the story is true and Asics is lining up the big bucks, Kei will play with whatever Asics tell him to.

 

[simonezenos]

when you feel slippery from asics ,you'll be change your mind :d

 

[AMGF]

when you feel slippery from asics ,you'll be change your mind :d

Slippery? If anything they stick too much. The only downside is the sole doesn't last long. I'm on my third pair in a year...

 

[dr325i]

In my opinion, once you played with Asics Solution Speed, everything else feels heavy and sluggish. Asics is making the best tennis shoes I ever had. I heard the sales rep say they are the most popular tennis shoe brand of all the not remunerated pros.

Anyhow, if the story is true and Asics is lining up the big bucks, Kei will play with whatever Asics tell him to.

I assume you have tried adidas boost (and everything else out there) before claiming Asics is better than any other shoe?

 

[fundrazer]

I assume you have tried adidas boost (and everything else out there) before claiming Asics is better than any other shoe?

Best shoe he's ever had =/= better than any other shoe. He really likes the Solution Speeds and feels that it's the best shoe he's ever worn.

 

[AMGF]

I assume you have tried adidas boost (and everything else out there) before claiming Asics is better than any other shoe?

Did I hit a nerve? Just said best I ever had. Nowhere said better than any other. I also said everything feels heavy and sluggish after playing with the Speed. Have you played with the Speed?

I admit I never played the Boost, but I don't need to. They weigh 14% more. Find me a lighter tennis shoe and I might give a try.

 

[Nostradamus]

In my opinion, once you played with Asics Solution Speed, everything else feels heavy and sluggish. Asics is making the best tennis shoes I ever had. I heard the sales rep say they are the most popular tennis shoe brand of all the not remunerated pros.

Anyhow, if the story is true and Asics is lining up the big bucks, Kei will play with whatever Asics tell him to.

don't think so. Kei will Demand they make shoes that fits Kei and the way Kei likes it or he walks....... problem with Asics Solution speed is that it is No where Near Stable as the Barricades..... Asics will have to make some modifications to upper of the shoes to make it stable just like Barricades..... Kei's speed is his weapon and his shoe is probably more important than his racket........................

 

[AMGF]

don't think so. Kei will Demand they make shoes that fits Kei and the way Kei likes it or he walks....... problem with Asics Solution speed is that it is No where Near Stable as the Barricades..... Asics will have to make some modifications to upper of the shoes to make it stable just like Barricades..... Kei's speed is his weapon and his shoe is probably more important than his racket........................

Maybe he could ask for his own line. That'd be great.
I don't know all the behind the scenes of these negociations. If execs at Asics really want him, they'll do whatever is needed. If the money is really great, maybe Kei could do with a shoe that's not a Barricade. Time will tell. I'd like if Asics sign him.

 

[Shaolin]

I would think Kei would never wear Asic Shoes after all those years of Barricades. once you go Barricade, you can never go back to anything else. besides Asic is completely different shoes.

I went to barricades once. Then went running back to Nike & Asics.

Really hope Asics is able to sign Kei. It'll probably lengthen his career not wearing those frankenstein boots.

 

[Nostradamus]

I went to barricades once. Then went running back to Nike & Asics.

Really hope Asics is able to sign Kei. It'll probably lengthen his career not wearing those frankenstein boots.

I heard Asic is slippery and traction isnt' good at all

 

[Rjtennis]

I would be really surprised if he left Uniqlo. Uniqlo is a massive brand in Japan, surely much bigger than Adidas by sales without doubt (since they're a general retailer, not just sports like Adidas). I'd think it was more likely he'd change shoe brands than leave Uniqlo altogether. That said, stranger things have happened. It can take something like a new CEO for a company to rethink its positioning and marketing spend and a seemingly otherwise good relationship still come to an end - especially if others are sniffing around.

What are you talking about? Adidas is like 30X bigger than Uniqlo. Adidas is a global brand with a market cap in the neighborhood of $20B. Adidas basketball sales are probably bigger than Uniqlos sales as a whole.

 

[Moonballballer]

I heard Asic is slippery and traction isnt' good at all

Perfect clay shoes. I think those are the most popular shoes you see during tournaments in the Netherlands.

 

[smalahove]

What are you talking about? Adidas is like 30X bigger than Uniqlo. Adidas is a global brand with a market cap in the neighborhood of $20B. Adidas basketball sales are probably bigger than Uniqlos sales as a whole.

I thought so as well, but amazingly, the parent/holding company behind Uniqlo, Fast Retailing, has a market cap of $42,1B (whereas Adidas $17,1B).

Adidas does sell more though; $19,5B > $13,6B.

http://www.forbes.com/companies/fast-retailing/
http://www.forbes.com/companies/adidas/

 

[smalahove]

This is a very interesting article on Uniqlo, written by the grandaddy of branding, David Aaker:

https://www.prophet.com/theinspiratory/2014/10/21/6-reasons-why-uniqlo-is-winning/

 

[Nostradamus]

Perfect clay shoes. I think those are the most popular shoes you see during tournaments in the Netherlands.

but in USA, we play on hard courts and don't care about clay courts

 

[Shaolin]

I heard Asic is slippery and traction isnt' good at all

I play mostly on hard and have never had a problem with grip.

 

[West Coast Ace]

What are you talking about? Adidas is like 30X bigger than Uniqlo. Adidas is a global brand with a market cap in the neighborhood of $20B. Adidas basketball sales are probably bigger than Uniqlos sales as a whole.

Not sure why Adidas, which focuses on the EU and US, would sign an Asian player. Now if he'd beaten Cilic in the USO final and had a great 2015, maybe. Just don't see it - I believe they will focus on emerging EU players.

 

[dr325i]

Did I hit a nerve? Just said best I ever had. Nowhere said better than any other. I also said everything feels heavy and sluggish after playing with the Speed. Have you played with the Speed?

I admit I never played the Boost, but I don't need to. They weigh 14% more. Find me a lighter tennis shoe and I might give a try.

Not sure how you concluded that your post "hit a nerve"??
Was trying to figure out what else have you TRIED before claiming those fit you the best.

 

[AMGF]

Not sure how you concluded that your post "hit a nerve"??
Was trying to figure out what else have you TRIED before claiming those fit you the best.

I played with Nike for years and years. But a couple years ago, didn't like the direction they took and bought the Babolat. Babolat were durable and held my feet fine, but were also heavy and not all that comfortable. Then I last spring I tried the Asics on and wondered why did it take so long for a shoe company to make such a tennis shoe. Basically it's light (almost like a running shoe) but with a tennis sole and superb comfort. Everything else now feels sluggish and heavy. I considered the Asics Resolution to get a bit more durability, but I stuck with the Speed.

I never played with Adidas Barricade as I find them too heavy. Most look really good though and by the look of it, they might be better than the Asics in other areas.

Of course, some will prefer other models. But in the lightweight/speed tennis shoe category, the Asics Solution Speed is hard to beat. If Kei speed is his weapon, he won't be disapointed with the Asics. Assuming the rumour is true.

 

[Lord Anomander]

I feel like in Austria every second tennis player wears Asics nowadays. You hardly see anyone with Nike shoes for example.

 

[PBODY99]

Gel Resolutions are the better comparison to Barricades, both are 6 month outer sole guarantee shoes.

 

[ThirdEye]

I feel like in Austria every second tennis player wears Asics nowadays. You hardly see anyone with Nike shoes for example.

Same here in Italy. I bought both the Barricades and the Ubersonics, everyone else just uses Asics. Some cheap Nikes here and there, some Yonex, some Lottos, not much else.

 

[Bobby Jr]

I feel like in Austria every second tennis player wears Asics nowadays. You hardly see anyone with Nike shoes for example.

Physios/podiatrists are big reason for this imo. Asics have made above-average running shoes for many years so physios, running shops and their staff have done a good job of ramping up the Asics brand by convincing so many people they're the best for your feet. It's flowed on into their tennis shoes.

Reality is most of the brands make shoes which are fine - they are just different. Nike shoes have low arches so need the insoles replaced with decent ones if you have any feet issues. Asics come with better arch support so the perception is the shoe is better. It probably isn't for anyone serious about tennis who should be using their own insoles already anyway.

I know a couple of physios and have asked them why they recommend Asics shoes. Their reply: because their running shoes have been very good (they also have a big range) for years, therefore their tennis shoes will be.

 

[Bobby Jr]

What are you talking about? Adidas is like 30X bigger than Uniqlo. Adidas is a global brand with a market cap in the neighborhood of $20B. Adidas basketball sales are probably bigger than Uniqlos sales as a whole.

Learn to read. I said: "...Uniqlo is a massive brand in Japan, surely much bigger than Adidas by sales without doubt..."

Uniqlo are a massive retail chain in Japan which sells everything a clothing-focussed department store sells: casual clothing, winter clothing, childrens clothing, underwear, off-the-shelf business wear etc. They would be many times bigger than Adidas in Japan. That is why they sponsor Nishikori. Japan is a market into itself and he is the #1 sports star in Japan. He is their Federer in marketing terms.

 

[simonezenos]

sure, asics perfect in clay but little slippery and not traction in hard court

 

[Babolast]

I guess we will see in a few days when the Brisbane international starts.

 

[Nostradamus]

I play mostly on hard and have never had a problem with grip.

I only mentioned it because of TW review video had mentioned this as one of the possible problems for some players

 

[Ihatetennis]

I only mentioned it because of TW review video had mentioned this as one of the possible problems for some players

i sold my pair off for slipping, never had any issues on hard until i tried gr5

 

[Matthew Lee]

I play with Barricades mainly for their durability and because I like the feel of them. I tried Asics, and they were really comfortable, but I found it a bit slippery, though the feel was a bit better than the Barricades. Have a friend who uses the Asics Gel Resolution 6 Blue/Orange, and he slips so much on the court. Just my experience and my opinion, though. If Nishikori switches to Asics, then he'll probably ask for a new line.