Roger Federer's $300 million Uniqlo deal is a match made in retail heaven

Sprinter Usain Bolt still sits at number 7 in ESPN's fame rankings

At first glance, it seems like something of a mismatch. Uniqlo, the Japanese fast fashion brand, is paying $300 million over 10 years to replace Nike Inc. as the kit sponsor for Roger Federer.

The Swiss might be the greatest male tennis player ever, but at 36 his best years are behind him. From a commercial perspective, he seems to have aced it. And Uniqlo looks like it’s paying an awful lot for a sportsman who isn’t too far off from retirement.
 

A less cursory look tells a different story. Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. is enduring slowing growth in