The Fulham midfielder has decided against inking sponsorship deals with sportswear brands.
Super Eagles of Nigeria star Alex Iwobi has opened up on his descison to refuse lucrative sponsorship deals from global sportswear giants.
Pulse Sports reports that 27-year-old Fulham midfielder recently revealed his stance his official Snapchat, citing his love for simplicity and the freedom to wear any sports brand and clothing of his choice as reasons for rejecting sponsorship offers.
In a conversation sparked by a fan's inquiry about his preference for black boots, Iwobi emphasized his affection for simplicity, stating,
"I've Always Loved Black Boots, Simplicity... Also I Like Having The Freedom Of Wearing Any Sports Brand & Clothes I Like, Hence Why I'm Sticking To No Sponsorship Or Any Deals."
Rejecting Millions: Alex Iwobi's bold stand against sponsorship deals with sportswear brands
In October 2020, the football world took notice when Nike released a special pair of blackout Nike Mercurial boots for Man United's Marcus Rashford, commemorating Black History Month.
Following Rashford's lead, other players, including Michy Batshuayi and Anthony Martial, made statements by wearing blackout boots emblazoned with messages such as "Black Lives Matter" and "No Racism."
Iwobi joined this movement when, during a match for Everton against Fulham, he sported the same pair of blackout Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII soccer boots customized with "EndPoliceBrutality" in support of the famous #EndSARS protest that rocked Nigeria that same year.
Iwobi's principled stance of saying no to boot deals contrasts sharply with the typical trajectory of professional athletes, who often sign lucrative sponsorship deals with leading sportswear brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma.
Such deals can amount to staggering sums, ranging from ₦ 75 million to ₦ 150 million ($50,000 to $100,000) and even beyond, as companies vie for the endorsement of high-profile athletes.
Despite forgoing these substantial financial opportunities, Iwobi's marketability remains undiminished.
Regardless, Pulse Sports reports that Alex Iwobi is one of the most marketable Nigerian athletes in the world and also boasts a number of significant endorsement and sponsorship deals outside sports.
Iwobi recently returns to action for the Super Eagles, assisting Ademola Lookman goal in Nigeria's 2-1 win against the Black Stars of Ghana during an international friendly on Friday, March 22.
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