Nike, Brazil soccer club announce sponsorships with Silva

Sherdog reports that Anderson Silva will be sponsored by Nike and Brazilian soccer club, Corinthians Paulista, at UFC 134 in Rio. The two new sponsors add to the Spider’s total for the big event in Brazil on August 27th.

The Nike deal was confirmed by Nike Brazil Director of Sports Marketing Luis Alexandre although terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Chris Nelson of Sherdog.com has details of the soccer sponsor:

On Monday, officials from Brazilian soccer team Sport Club Corinthians Paulista — also sponsored by Nike — announced a multi-tiered marketing initiative in which the pound-for-pound great will be prominently featured. Silva, a well-known Corinthians booster, will don the club’s jersey during his entrance at UFC 134 and will lend his name to a new MMA facility to be constructed by the team in his hometown of Sao Paulo.

Payout Perspective:

The champ is cashing in on his status with some notable sponsorships. Last week he inked a deal with Burger King for UFC 134. It is worth noting that Silva’s marketing firm, 9ine, is a newly created firm founded by former soccer player Ronaldo. The firm was created for the burgeoning sports market in Brazil. Silva signed on with the firm earlier this year. Through 9ine, he received a big sponsorship deal with Brazilian company, Bozzano, for his title fight with Vitor Belfort. Its not known whether the Bozzano sponsorship will continue at UFC 134. Although new in name, 9ine is backed by global media/communications company, WPP.

The mainstream sponsors show how big this event is in Brazil. Of course, Silva is the champion and in the main event of the card so that helps with visibility. Silva joins Diego Sanchez, Urijah Faber (Sacramento Kings) and Mark Hominick (Hamilton Tigercats) as fighters that have been sponsored by professional sports teams.