Did Nike Drop Federer at His Peak? His Agent's Confessions
For nearly 25 years, Nike and Roger Federer seemed inseparable. Yet, in 2018, their idyllic relationship came to an abrupt end. In an interview, Tony Godsick, the Swiss star's agent and right-hand man, reveals the behind-the-scenes story of an unexpected and deeply bitter split.
Appearing on the podcast Served with Andy Roddick, the agent and close friend of Roger Federer shared his side of the story regarding the end of the partnership between the Swiss legend and his iconic sponsor, Nike.
"I went to the Nike campus in early January 2017 to try to secure a new contract. Roger hadn't won a Grand Slam in four years. Two weeks later, he wins the Australian Open. I thought it would be easy, but it wasn't.
After that, he wins Wimbledon 2017 and the Australian Open 2018. But in the end, it didn't happen. He didn't leave Nike, but Nike abandoned him. At that moment, I was very angry: I'm the agent who couldn't renew the contract of the greatest player in tennis history."
Shortly after this non-renewal, the Japanese brand "Uniqlo" contacted Godsick and offered a 10-year contract worth $300 million (according to rumors at the time).
