The final whistle has been blown on Nike’s kit deal with Manchester United after the sportswear manufacturer announced it will be pulling out of the contract race.
The decision ends a relationship between Nike and the Manchester football club, which has spanned 13 years.
The contract is estimated to be worth £750m, with German manufacturer Adidas tipped to take over as shirt sponsors.
A Nike statement released on Tuesday afternoon read: “Any partnership with a club or federation has to be mutually beneficial and the terms that were on offer for a renewed contract did not represent good value for Nike’s shareholders.
“We are proud to have partnered with them for the last 12 years and will continue to sponsor the club until the end of the season.
“Manchester United is a great club with passionate fans. We are proud to have partnered with them for the last 12 years and will continue to sponsor the club until the end of the 2014/15 season.”
