The DFB’s change of supplier from Adidas to Nike causes outrage. Ex-President Theo Zwanziger was already faced with the same decision – and is now defending his successor against the allegations.
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Theo Zwanziger (right) headed the DFB from 2006 to 2012. The then CEO of Adidas, Herbert Hainer (left), presented him with a jersey from the German national soccer team in 2007. © Daniel Karmann/dpa
THE TIME: Mr. Zwanziger, the German Football Association gives preference to the American sports equipment manufacturer Nike over the German institution Adidas. Does tradition no longer count in football?
Theo Zwanziger: I can understand every fan who is outraged. Too much money is made in football. The business of associations like FIFA scares people, including me. But the DFB had no other choice, both economically and legally. Nike’s offer was at least twice as high as Adidas’. Bernd Neuendorf did it right. Perhaps communication could have been communicated earlier and more transparently, but afterwards we are wiser.
2024-03-26 06:43:22
#Theo #Zwanziger #Hypocrisy #involved
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