Rafael Nadal’s Sponsorships: A Look at His Partnerships with Nike, Babolat, Richard Mille, and More

Nike, with whom the former world number one has worked since 2005 and his first victory at Roland Garros, appears to be Rafa’s most generous sponsor. During the latter’s best years on the circuit, the partnership was estimated at around ten million dollars annually for the benefit of the left-hander with the devastating topspin. Since the beginning of this relationship, Nike has created many looks that have become iconic. We will especially remember the sleeveless t-shirts which gave a glimpse of the powerful musculature of the king of Roland-Garros or the headbands which held back the hair, increasingly thinning over the years, of the Spanish champion.

Nike reportedly pays up to $10 million per year

In an interview with Forbes magazine, a former Nike executive said Rafael Nadal was not obsessed with chasing the biggest sponsorship deals.

”I’m not sure Rafa wants to be the highest paid athlete in the world thanks to sponsors. I don’t think he cares, said former Nike tennis director Mike Nakajima Nakajima. Rafa is Rafa; he did extremely well and I don’t think he needs anything else. Roger Federer wanted to be marketed, so he appealed to different brands and consumer groups. And his management company did an incredible job.”

Rafael Nadal has his own collection at Nike represented by the logo with two bull horns. ©Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

The Spaniard’s image is so strong among the public that, like American basketball player Michael Jordan, he has his own collection within the comma equipment manufacturer: the Raging Bull. This logo represents two bull horns in homage to the nickname of the fourteen-time winner of Roland-Garros: the bull of Manacor. Unlike other stars, Rafael Nadal’s logo does not include his initials. Which does not prevent it from being easily recognized. Although the symbol is widely associated with Nadal and is considered his personal logo, it is actually owned by Nike who created and registered the brand in 2013. This logo is usually seen on caps worn by Nadal, on his right chest with the Nike logo on the left of his t-shirts but also on his tennis shoes, which usually feature a bold print (RAFA) on the left heel. Of course, all the clothes and shoes are tailor-made for the Spanish champion. It is extremely rare to find images of Rafael Nadal, on and off the courts, without the Nike logo. There is no doubt that the swoosh brand has greatly benefited from the enormous visibility of the former world number one for almost two decades.

Nike is obviously not the only sponsor of the player whose commercial revenues were estimated at twenty million euros by Forbes in 2022. His oldest partner is none other than the racket manufacturer Babolat. Since 1997, the French brand, which spotted him when he was only around ten years old, has supported Rafael Nadal. The latter began his career with the Pure Drive model before contributing to the development of the Pure Aero. A racket that he already holds in his hand when he goes on the courts. Despite more attractive offers, the Spaniard has always remained loyal to the Lyon company.

A watch whose price would oscillate between 600,000 and 900,000 euros.

“I feel close to Babolat because it is a family business,” explains the man who received his first racquet from the brand from his uncle, Toni. Today, the fifth generation is in charge, and for me that matters.”

The third most visible sponsor on the Iberian is on his right wrist. Since 2008, Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille has designed ultra-light and resistant watches especially for Nadal. “At first, Rafa didn’t want to wear a watch,” explains the person. We developed the RM 027.” The latter weighing only 30 grams was adopted by the Spaniard who, subsequently, will never take it off, even when he plays: “This watch is like a second skin for me.” The price of this and the various developments created over the years vary between 600,000 and 900,000 euros.

Alongside these three major partnerships, Rafael Nadal has also negotiated the use of his image by other companies. Since 2006, he has promoted Kia brand cars. A collaboration marked by the Spaniard’s eco-responsible commitment and the development of hybrid and electric vehicles from the Japanese brand. The contract between the two parties was extended for five years in 2020 for an amount estimated at three million dollars per year.

Since 2014, the Majorcan has signed a contract with the telecommunications company Telefonica which, through its subsidiary Movistar, has associated his name with the player’s academy in Mallorca. Regarding the management of his finances (he has won more than 134 million in his career), Nadal certainly trusts the private bank Santander with which he has linked his image since 2019. In the portfolio of agreements of the Former world number one, we will add another company, Amstel Ultra, which produces beers, a company which sells sunscreen cosmetics, Heliocare, but also the American clothing brand Tommy Hilfiger. This gave rise to a few advertising sessions where we could see Rafael Nadal dressed only in boxers showing off his protruding muscles.

In 2016, Rafael Nadal participated in a rather daring advertising campaign for Tommy Hilfiger.
2024-01-04 09:09:09
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