The study shows that Nike entered the current season supplying the kit to a greater number of European soccer clubs than adidas, 17 compared to the latter's 13.
Though consistently recorded as the two best brands involved commercially in European soccer, Nike has moved ahead of adidas due principally to the two brands differing marketing tactics with regard to the sector.
Comments Andrew Walsh, senior account manager at Sport+Markt: "Having traditionally enjoyed a position as the primary sportswear brand in European football in particular, adidas has sought to align itself with a smaller group of elite clubs during recent seasons and has allowed a number of contracts with various clubs to simply run out.
"This has naturally suited Nike, which has taken advantage of a number of these vacancies to increase it’s own portfolio and in turn, its image as a football brand rather than a specifically American product range."
For more on Sport+Markt's 'Jersey Sponsorship of European Football Clubs 2002/2003' research, see the forthcoming issue of SportBusiness International
According to new research from Sport+Markt, Nike is edging ahead of its main rival adidas in European soccer.
