Corinthians break silence on kit drama as Nike deal revealed | OneFootball

Corinthians have issued a formal clarification following speculation around a potential kit supplier change and recent engagement with Adidas representatives. The club leadership, via a statement from Romeu Tuma Júnior, president of the Deliberative Council, addressed the circumstances of a meeting held last Wednesday between Adidas and the upper ranks of the Corinthians board.

Present at the meeting were club president Osmar Stabile, vice-president Armando Mendonça, and representatives from the legal, marketing, Justice Committee, and the CORI (Guidance Council). According to the official note, the aim was to clarify information circulated in the press and ensure transparency during a period of leadership transition at the club.

The council emphasized that during this meeting, no financial proposals from Adidas were presented or discussed. Such negotiations remain the exclusive domain of the executive board. Instead, the gathering focused on outlining future procedural safeguards and preserving the club’s interests, mindful of heightened scrutiny as internal changes continue.

Central to the club’s message was a reaffirmation of Corinthians’ ongoing contract with Nike. The American sportswear giant, a longstanding partner of the club, has an automatically renewed deal now set to run through the end of 2029. Nike triggered an automatic extension in late 2024 by formally notifying the club, with their representative in Brazil, Fisia, sending documentation in December. A lack of response from the previous Corinthians administration signaled consent to the extension.

Recent reports have further complicated the landscape, citing technical recommendations within the club about compliance with supplier contracts. Allegations have surfaced that past club leadership neglected these recommendations and failed to account for invoices relating to Nike-supplied goods, exposing Corinthians to potential fiscal and contractual risks.

Despite Adidas’ ongoing interest—having held preliminary talks with previous management about a potential deal beginning in 2026—the current Corinthians administration is proceeding with caution. The board has made it clear that any dialogue with alternative suppliers will only progress if contractually and legally appropriate, avoiding conflicts with Nike and ensuring institutional stability during a delicate phase.

The Deliberative Council concluded its statement by expressing thanks to President Stabile for including a cross-section of the club’s governance structure in discussions. Tuma Júnior reiterated the council’s collective commitment to safeguarding Corinthians’ interests, indicating unity and cooperation as guiding principles amid the current political and financial challenges.

Source: UOL, Globo