June 9 – Former women’s Ballon d’Or winner and Norwegian star striker Ada Hegerberg has signed a long-term deal with sportswear giant Nike.
The American sportswear giant wooed the striker away from Puma. The terms of the contract have not been officially disclosed, but it is believed that Hegerberg will earn a six-figure fee annually. On Twitter, the Norwegian posted a picture of herself with the caption “Just did it”.
The new lucrative deal adds to Hegerberg’s portfolio of high-level sponsors. The Norwegian is also tied up with Mastercard, Danone Nations Cup and Hublot.
In 2018, the Lyon player was the first ever winner of the Ballon d’Or. She has also won the women’s Champions League with her French club on four occasions.
“For me personally, this is a ground breaking step in my career,” said Hegerberg. “I feel like Nike has inspired millions of people in sports and they’re kind of the game changer in sports when it comes to lifting the women in sports as well and setting the bar, you could say… And hopefully this partnership can write history again back on the pitch when I’m back again.”
Hegerberg didn’t play in last year’s Women’s World Cup, because she has long opposed the inequality in the way the Norwegian FA treats the national women’s team. In 2017, she left the Norwegian national team in protest. She has yet to return, even though the Norwegian FA has now granted equal pay for the team.
She joins US stars Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan as Nike-sponsored athletes.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734980846labto1734980846ofdlr1734980846owedi1734980846sni@o1734980846fni1734980846