Nike Re-Signs Andre Agassi

Written by: Staff on 28th May 2013

Nike Re-Signs Andre Agassi

epa03391741 US tennis legend Andre Agassi poses with his plaque during the ceremony inducting him into the US Open Court of Champions before the start of the women's final between Serena Williams of the US and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on the fourteenth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 09 September 2012. The US Open has been extended a day for the fifth straight year due to weather and will end on Monday 10 September 2012. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Nike once helped Andre Agassi become one of the most famous athletes in the world with their various commercial spots featuring the American and now he has re-signed with the company some eight years after he left the company for adidas.

In 2005, just after he retired, Agassi decided to join his wife, former great Steffi Graf at adidas. Sources says that Nike didn’t make a big enough offer to satisfy Agassi in his retirement years and that adidas stepped in and made a big contribution to his educational foundation.

Agassi s move to Nike coincides with its new Designed to Move campaign, which looks to end the growing epidemic of physical inactivity.

The renewed partnership will focus on a shared passion for tennis, along with a commitment to help kids become more active and realize their full potential through sports.

Nike and Agassi s relationship that dates back to 1988, when the brash Las Vegan began his pro career and start to pull off upsets of notable players. He went on to win eight Grand Slam titles and Nike was with him every step of the way, creating successful campaigns such as Rebel with a Cause, Just Do it, as well as having him playing in the streets against his archrival Pete Sampras

“As one of the world’s greatest tennis players, Agassi embodied the passion, dedication and determination of the Nike brand,” Nike co-founder and chairman Phil Knight said. “As a philanthropist and campaigner, he continues to share Nike s commitment to inspire the young generation with his Just Do It spirit. We are honored to welcome him back.”

Agassi added: Nike has opened new horizons through its Designed to Move campaign, while consistently and historically championing health and fitness. Coming back together through this partnership will have a multiplying effect on this and future generations.

Agassi will team with Nike to advocate for change, leveraging the Designed to Move framework for action that Nike helped create with more than 70 expert organizations in the fields of physical education, health and the built environment (e.g., parks, green spaces and public transportation).

“The past was exciting, emotional and life-changing for all of us. The future, however, is a landscape filled with unlimited opportunity and a canvas anxiously waiting to be filled in,” Agassi said. “Designed to Move has opened new horizons. Coming back together with Nike through this partnership will have a multiplying effect on this and future generations.“

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Editors Note : Andre Agassi resigns with NIKE. Andre had been with Nike from very early in his career and then most of his career. AA was a little “weird” about if you want him, need him, or love him , you will contribute to his school/ foundation. Ok that’s kind of it in a nutshell. Now look at his requests from NiIKE ‘s point of view – imagine if every elite athlete in every sport that they branded made the same requests? But Andre wanted to know what have you done for me lately ? So what happens another company comes along and was happy to reel him and steal him and have Andre and Gil join the Adidas family. We guess Adidas doesn’t see much return on AA lack of exposure and who knows? But tennis players are funny. They move into top ten and they want BIG money for everything especially the perks and guarantees. How many free private jet rides? Or how many suites do you want compted for your entourage ? My point is AA lived that life. But the players forget the tourneys missed due to injuries. Or all the events and months or years they were recovering. Serena is a good example. Some years she played so little in her Nike clothes. Or the players need to realize that the it’s all about the tv time anyway. Television exposure. Totally… Either way you see it next time you see Andre Agassi he will be in his beloved Nike duds once again.

Topics: American tennis news, Andre Agassi, Nike, Tennis News