Ronaldo’s Nike contract: How much is it worth, and how long is it for?

Ronaldo’s Nike contract: How much is it worth, and how long is it for?

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM
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Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world's greatest athletes and the most famous footballer on the planet. He boasts over 550 million Instagram followers, the most in history, and has various endorsement deals, with the Nike one being just one of the many he has. So, how much is Ronaldo's Nike contract worth? Read on to find out.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Nike contract
Cristiano Ronaldo with Nike shoes during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Juventus FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on April 11, 2018, in Madrid, Spain. Photo: VI Images
Source: Getty Images

The star athlete has many contracts, as many products would want to be associated with him. He is the most prominent athlete on the planet, boasting millions of followers on various platforms. Being associated with him is almost guaranteed success. More on Cristiano Ronaldo's Nike contract is below.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Nike contract

Cristiano Ronaldo's first Nike contract was signed in 2003 when he was still young and new to Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson had just signed him from Sporting Lisbon after embarrassing O'Shea during a pre-season friendly. Then Nike saw the opportunity and signed the promising young star, which paid off. So, how much is Ronaldo's contract with Nike?

Ronaldo’s Nike contract per year
Cristiano Ronaldo dribbles past a Newcastle player during their FA Cup clash on 23rd August 2003. Photo: Mark Leech
Source: Getty Images

So, does Ronaldo have a lifetime contract with Nike? Yes, he does have a lifetime contract with Nike. The company saw Ronaldo as a fit compared to his rival Messi due to his personality outside the field, and he signed the deal in 2016 just as he was in his prime. He was the third athlete to be awarded such a contract, with Lebron James and Michael Jordan coming before him.

How much does Ronaldo get from Nike a year? Ronaldo's Nike contract earns him a whopping $ 24 million per year. The star is among the top earners from the contract. When this is added to his record-breaking salary at Al Nassr, the star takes home a significant amount. He is estimated to earn $1 billion by the end of his Nike agreement.

Ronaldo Nike contract lifetime

Ronaldo's life contract with Nike was signed in 2016 and is estimated at around $1 billion. The contract earned the star $88 million in his first year. The type of agreement was established as a new trend used by larger corporations to make their consumer products more popular.

Ronaldo Nike contract lifetime
Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid poses with the Ballon d'Or 2016 trophy at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 12, 2016, in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Angel Martinez
Source: Getty Images

The type of contract also provides a story-like alternative. When an athlete's story is connected to the athlete, they are more likely to trust the product hence a higher return on investment. For instance, Cristiano Ronaldo's Nike contract amounted to $474 million in value from the athlete alone in 2018.

A lifetime contract also ties an influencer to a product which increases the product's authenticity. Most young adults trust products advertised by their favourite celebrities. Ronaldo also boasts contracts with giants such as Armani, Tag Heuer, Egyptian Steel, Herbalife, Italia Independent, Clear, PokerStars and Castrol.

Who has the biggest contract with Nike?

Cristiano Ronaldo has the biggest contract with Nike. The star signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with Nike, which offered the star a $1 billion lifetime deal, the biggest in history. He is the most famous athlete on the planet and is the most followed on various social media platforms achieving large amounts of impressions.

Ronaldo has released various cleats, with the brand selling millions of products. He also appears in numerous advertisements by the brand.

Who has a lifetime contract with Nike?

The brand is a giant worldwide and only deals with the best athletes. Some athletes under Nike's lifetime agreement include Lebron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan was not initially offered a lifetime deal.

Ronaldo's life contract with Nike
Michael Jordan and All-Stars Celebrate The Debut Of The Air Jordan XX2 at Area XX2 at MGM Grand Hotel and Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2007. Photo: Denise Truscello
Source: Getty Images

The success of the Air Jordans, which sold $126 million in its first year compared to the prospected $3 million over four years and consecutively to be valued at over $3 billion, evolved the deal into a lifetime deal.

Does Ronaldo get free Nike shoes?

Yes, Ronaldo received the Nike Free CR7 x Metcon shoes. Despite the shoe not being an everyday streetwear sneaker, it can best be used in training. The shoes are light and comfortable, making his training as comfortable as possible. The shoes come in white which Cristiano requested for himself.

It comes with Cr7 branding on the heel and tongue. The shoe came in limited numbers retailing at $120.

What was Ronaldo's biggest contract?

The legend's biggest contract was signed when he joined the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. The star signed an agreement where he is guaranteed a yearly salary of $215 million. This makes him the highest-paid sportsperson in history, pitting him against stars such as Lebron James, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Cristiano Ronaldo's first Nike contract
Cristiano Ronaldo looks on during the Saudi Super Cup Semi-Final match against Al Ittihad at King Fahd International Stadium on January 26, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Yasser Bakhsh
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo's Nike contract is the biggest in the history of the brand. He earns a whopping $24 million per year. In his first year with the brand on a lifetime agreement, the star made a lucrative $86 million. He is the biggest social media star and the most followed on Instagram and Facebook.

READ ALSO: Ranking the richest MLB teams currently: Find out which team tops the list

Sports Brief also published a list of the wealthiest MLB teams. The MLB is one of the biggest sports leagues in the world, and the biggest baseball league. It generates millions of dollars of revenue, getting their players paid very well and in the development of the stadiums.

So, which is the richest MLB team? Is your favourite MLB team on the list? Click on the link above to learn more about the wealthiest MLB teams.

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