Tendulkar To Now Bat For Adidas

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has struck a bumper six-year deal with German-based sportswear manufacturer Adidas to endorse its products.

The deal, announced at a luxury hotel in south Mumbai yesterday, was described as one of the biggest ever by any cricketer, but both Tendulkar as well as Adidas officials declined to give figures.

From Adidas, we never give such figures, Adidas Indias managing director Christoph Holland said at a press meet. However, sources claimed the amount was in excess of Rs 5 crore for the contractual period.

Walking into the conference towards the end of a giant video screen presentation showing him plundering runs, Tendulkar played a classic defensive stroke to questions on how much he would be paid. Adidas is a big contract and I am sure it will be a good partnership, he said.

 

Tendulkar, who thus becomes to be the first cricketer from the Indian sub-continent to be contracted by Adidas, would also be paid bonuses for winning matches and for brilliant performances, said the sources.

Tendulkars promoter and WorldTel chairman Mark Mascarenhas said the Adidas contract was the biggest ever signed by any cricketer. This is by far the biggest endorsement signed by any cricketer, including the deal Nike signed with Australian Shane Warne. Warne earned about A$1 million ($670,000)in 1997.

Tendulkar said he would be endorsing Adidass products only during practise sessions and while visiting other centres to promote the companys products. He made it clear that while playing for Mumbai and India he would wear only the team sponsors logos.

The former Indian team skipper said he was reminded of his school days when he was given a pair of Adidas shoes by his senior schoolmate and former Test player Pravin Amre after scoring a century in an under-15 schools tournament. I was very thrilled to own them as no other boy had them.

On Adidas plans for India, Holland said the company did not intend to set up manufacturing facilities here, but would continue with contracts to third parties in and around Delhi.

The world over, we only provide technical know-how and ensure quality. We will continue with this practice here also, he said, adding that 70 to 80 per cent raw material for the shoes was being imported, while for apparels, locally available material was being used.

Holland said there was no change in plans as far as India was concerned for the next five to six years. Investment in the country was to the tune of US $2. 5 million $2 million by Adidas and the rest by Magnum International Trading Company in the 80:20 joint venture.

We are well on our way to target the five million consumers we had in mind when we entered India, he said, adding that the company would shortly introduce a new range in apparel and swim wear, golf gear, and more in shoes.

Following the opening of mega stores in Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore, the company was looking open more stores at Mumbai, Calcutta and Hyderabad this financial year, he said.