Roger Federer leaves Nike for Japan’s Uniqlo

Bloomberg

Tennis great Roger Federer, long all but synonymous with Nike Inc., has parted ways with the swoosh to join Japanese casual clothing brand Uniqlo.
The eight-time Wimbledon champion surprised many fans when he walked onto Centre Court for his first-round match in an outfit by Fast Retailing Co.’s Uniqlo. The Swiss star’s apparel contract with the Beaverton, Oregon-based athletic-wear giant expired on March 1.
“Our partnership will be about innovation on and off court,” Fast Retailing CEO Tadashi Yanai said.
Federer’s name recognition boosts Uniqlo’s global expansion efforts, especially in Europe, where the brand is opening new stores.