Andy Murray‘s endorsement deal with Adidas looks set to finish at the end of this season – and he could make an unusual move to a niche clothing brand to replace them.
The Scot has endured a difficult season, failing to make a final in any Grand Slam.
But he’s still going to be in-demand off the court given Adidas‘ unwillingness to renew his deal with a lucrative offer.
According to Simon Briggs, Tennis Correspondent for the Telegraph, he could make a similar move to Thomas Berdych as he looks for a new clothing sponsor:
For their next move, though, it seems that Murray’s agents are eyeing niche brands that would base their strategy around him – and which might even offer him equity in the company, as the American nutrition specialists Fuse Science did last year.
“The example of Tomas Berdych, the Czech player who broke away from the traditional tennis labels to join high-street retailer H&M, could turn out to be a precedent.”
For competitors Nike, they insist on any sponsored athletes wearing their brand alone – so that rules them out of making a move for Murray.
He only signed a three-year, £4.5million deal to have Standard Life on his right shoulder – a serious stumbling it would seem if Nike are to make any move.
Murray only secured his first title of the season last week as he beat Tommy Robredo to win the Shenzhen Open – and he’s into the second round of the China Open after beating Jerzy Janowicz in the first round of that competition.
But despite the recent upturn in fortunes on-court, the disappointing year may have an effect on the former Wimbledon champion’s bargaining position as he enters an important period commercially.
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