Ada Hegerberg, who won the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or in history when she lifted the award in 2018, has signed a long-term deal with Nike after the expiration of her previous deal with PUMA. The American sportswear giant has secured the Norwegian superstar for – at least – the next 10 years.
Power striker of Olympique Lyonnais, best Champions League goalscorer in history, 2019 Champions League final hat-trick hero, and one of the biggest names in the women’s sport industry; Ada Hegerberg is a huge gain for Nike, the Swoosh strengthening its influence in women’s football by securing one of the finest players in the game.
Nike have been at the forefront of the positivity surrounding the women’s game over the last couple of years, with the brand undoubtedly elevating the status of the 2019 World Cup in particular, achieved through keen marketing and a general aura of positivity and empowerment surrounding the tournament. And it hasn’t stopped there for the brand. Although Hegerberg was a noticeable absentee from the showpiece event having left the Norwegian national team in 2017 to protest how the country was treating its women’s team, it hasn’t stopped the Swoosh from swooping in to snatch Hegerberg from PUMA.
Her continuing fight for equal pay aligns with Nike’s approach over recent years, and her contract is the latest step toward gender parity for the brand. While full terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, sources have said that the 24-year-old will earn a six-figure fee annually over the life of the deal, edging her closer to the fees that male players at her level receive. They have also recently positioned Sam Kerr alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe for major boot launches, and Hegerberg provides another superstar name in the women's game.
Sidelined by an ACL injury in January, Hegerberg is now eyeing her return to the pitch once play resumes, and said about the move to Nike: “It is yet another massive step in my career. Nike and I have common goals to elevate women’s sports in the years to come. My performances brought me here, and I sure want to keep writing history with the help of Nike, on and off the field. I am thrilled to be part of this team.”
“I feel like Nike has inspired millions of people in sports," she continued, "and they're kind of the game changer in sports when it comes to lifting the women in sports as well and setting the bar, you could say. And hopefully this partnership can write history again back on the pitch when I'm back again.”
