Nike and The FA announce multi-year partnership to help grow women’s football

Nike is deepening its commitment to women’s sport and furthering their long history in women’s football by announcing a multi-year partnership with The FA. Nike will become the Official Ball Supplier of the Barclays Women’s Super League (BWSL), Barclays Women’s Championship (BWC) and The FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup. 

Nike continues to shape the future of sport for female athletes and this partnership further demonstrates they are taking action by investing in athletes at every step. Supporting elite football is critical to Nike’s efforts as they look to inspire and open up opportunities to current and future generations of women and girls to participate in the sport. According to Whitney Malkiel, Vice President, Global Women’s, Nike, “The energy in women’s football in England right now has never been higher as we enter into this partnership with The FA at such a critical moment in our long-standing efforts to help keep growing the women’s game.”

Nike has partnered with The FA since 2013 and this new partnership extends the work that they already do with the federation. As a not-for-profit organization, The FA's partnership with Nike is invaluable in allowing continued investment across all levels. Navin Singh, The FA’s Commercial Director, shared, “I’m delighted that we are able to expand our relationship with Nike and have one of the most recognized sports brands in the world partnered with the Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship and FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup.

From growing the game at a grassroots level to ensuring they provide the dedicated support and innovation to those athletes and teams at the elite level, Nike's long-term commitment enables The FA to effectively support the growth of women’s football. Singh went on to share, “Nike continuously push the boundaries when it comes to investment in women and giving them the opportunity to succeed, which is exactly what we strive to do in the women’s game. This is a really positive step for both parties, and I look forward to us working with them going forward.”

Innovation will always be Nike’s greatest competitive advantage and it will be front and center through the partnership as Nike Flight ball technology will be introduced to the BWSL, BWC and Continental Tyres League Cup for the first time when the new season kicks off in the BWC on August 20th and the BWSL on September 10th. 

The breakthrough Aerowsculpt technology uses features on the surface of the ball to help air move around it more easily. That means less wobble in the air and a more stable, predictable flight path. 3-D printed ink overlay fine tunes ball flight to help athletes* hit their target shot after shot, pass after pass and ACC (All Conditions Control) technology adds a grippy texture in both wet and dry conditions.