In what is a huge move for women’s football, Nike has announced a groundbreaking multi-year sponsorship deal with FC Como Women, marking the brand's first partnership with an independent women’s Serie A football club.
It’s a big moment for football in the city of Como; under the partial stewardship of Cesc Fabregas, the Como 1907 earned a return to Serie A for the 24/25 season after a 21-year absence from the top flight of Italian football. And that was preceded by the city’s women’s team (Como Women is not the women's team of Como 1907 but an independent club) being purchased by Mercury/13 back in March, with the Football Consortium committing $100 million to build a global portfolio of women’s teams with an emphasis on luxury branding and elevated visibility. Now, Nike are on board with FC Como Women, becoming the first-ever official sponsor of an independent women’s Serie A football club.
“We are true believers in the commercial power of women’s football, and FC Como Women presented a perfect opportunity to prove our model,” said Mercury/13 founder Victoire Cogevina Reynal. Founded in 2020, the Lake Como-based team gained promotion to Serie A, the female Italian first division, in the 2021/22 season. The year after that, the league turned fully professional. Now, 2024/25 season is set to be FC Como’s first under the ownership of Mercury/13.
As part of the announcement of the Nike deal, the team’s home and away kits for 24/25 have been revealed. Dropping as part of the "We Belong Here" campaign, featuring players photographed against Lake Como's iconic landscapes, the 'Monochrome Kits' as they're known (home is white and away is black – according to the club, white represents purity and commitment, while black signifies strength and determination) are part of a wider team rebrand that includes an elegant new club crest.
“We are proud of the role we have played in fostering and supporting the continued growth of the women’s game for both the elite and amateur athlete,” Jennifer Myron, VP and general manager of Nike’s EMEA women’s division, said in a statement. “One of the most exciting forces for change is the continued rise of women’s sports, and the partnership with FC Como Women solidifies our commitment to inviting more women into football.”
The Nike FC Como Women's 24/25 home and away kits are not yet available for retail.
