Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Mbappe Leaves Nike for On, Taking Equity in Football Venture
Kylian Mbappe has worked with Nike since he was a child.
He decided not to renew that deal after it ended this summer.
He is now joining On, a sportswear company best known for running products.
On is giving him money and a share of the company.
Nike reportedly offered similar regular pay but not company ownership.
Mbappe will help On create its first football boots.
The boots are expected to reach stores in 2027.
He will still wear Nike when playing for France.
On hopes Mbappe’s involvement will help it become known in football.
Kylian Mbappe has ended his nearly 20-year partnership with Nike and signed with Swiss sportswear brand On.
The agreement combines cash with company shares, while Nike reportedly offered similar base pay without equity.
Mbappe will help design and test On’s first football boots and apparel and serve as a global ambassador.
On’s football boots are not expected in stores until 2027, although Mbappe may wear prototypes earlier.
Mbappe will continue wearing Nike products while playing for France because Nike supplies the national team through 2033-34.
- Who
- Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe, Nike, and Swiss sportswear brand On.
- What
- Mbappe has left Nike after nearly 20 years and signed a cash-and-equity partnership with On.
- When
- The Nike deal expired this summer; Mbappe confirmed the move in a CNBC interview on Monday, and On’s retail football boot is planned for 2027.
- Where
- The partnership concerns On’s global sportswear and football business; On is a Swiss brand.
- Why
- Mbappe said he wanted a new project and the chance to help build something new, while On wants to enter the football-boot market.
On’s Growth Opportunity
Nike’s Established Partnership
Why the partnership matters
On’s Growth Opportunity
On is using Mbappe’s profile and product involvement to enter football, a market where it has never sold boots in stores.
Nike’s Established Partnership
Nike had a nearly two-decade relationship with Mbappe and reportedly was willing to match the regular financial offer.
What persuaded Mbappe
On’s Growth Opportunity
On offered equity as well as cash, along with an opportunity to help build a new football product line.
Nike’s Established Partnership
Nike offered its established sponsorship relationship, but reportedly did not include an ownership stake.
- Former sponsor
- Nike, which worked with Mbappe since 2006
- New partner
- On, a Swiss sportswear brand
- Deal structure
- Cash plus equity in On
- Nike offer
- Reportedly similar base money but no ownership component
- Mbappe’s role
- Designing and testing football footwear and apparel, plus global ambassadorship
- Retail launch
- On football boots are not expected in stores until 2027
- France sponsorship
- Mbappe will continue wearing Nike for France through the national team’s supply agreement ending in 2033-34