After 13 years at Nike and 10 years with Peak, Tony Parker changes equipment supplier, and he joins adidas as “global ambassador” and “strategic advisor”! A partnership that goes far beyond TP. “He really invested in youth basketball, not only in France, but all over Europe”, explains Paul Webber, director of global marketing at adidas. ” We want to continue developing all of this together. »
For Cam Mason, another marketing manager at adidas, “Tony Parker is an icon. A legend. A Hall of Famer. He’s a legend in Europe and we needed someone who could be a partner. »
“I actually realized that I was wearing adidas jerseys and shoes”
HAS Nick DePaulaParker reveals the underside of his arrival at adidas. “I was looking for a partner for my team, ASVEL. I own the men’s team and the women’s team, as well as my academy. I was with Peak and I knew we were nearing the end of my contract. I wanted to try to have a partner who was professional and who could really help me develop my team. That’s how it all started” says Parker. “The Lyon football team was already sponsored by adidas. Then in 2019, Adidas became the basketball sponsor of my men’s team, the women’s team and the academy. Last year we did one shirt design that all the teams wore and we try to do a lot of things together. In fact, I realized that I was wearing adidas jerseys and shoes. I said to myself: “I think I should also sign with adidas. »
To read >>> Tony Parker’s tears at the Hall Of Fame
What was only a joke then takes shape with a host of projects one year from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
“I was very satisfied when we had our first discussion with the big boss in France and talked about what we could do together, with the Olympics to be held in France next year and the different courts that we could create throughout France” Parker continues. “We have so many ideas, with everything I do with my camps and my foundation, that it was just a good idea. Now we are discussing the possibility of organizing the EuroCamp in my academy in France. Adidas has so many great ideas and a great team, it was the perfect time and a perfect fit – for a long time, I hope. »
Finally, what also influenced Parker was the partnership created by adidas with Zinedine Zidane, perhaps the greatest French footballer in history. “I saw everything they did in France with [Zinedine] Zidane in football, and hopefully we can do something similar in basketball. After your career, you still have an image, you can be a brand ambassador, you can help young people who are rising and participate in the choice of players that we should sign. It’s something I like to do. »
photo credit: adidas
