Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has broken his silence on the collapse of his contract negotiations with Nike, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes drama that led him to continue his partnership with Puma.
In a recent appearance on the Ready Set Go podcast, Bolt sat down with Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green, revealing the pivotal moment when Puma presented a game-changing bargaining chip that ultimately swayed his decision to sign with Nike.
“We had a meeting with Nike after or before 2012, that’s the only time we had a meeting. Puma just matched the contract…they got me paid, Nike got me paid,” Bolt revealed on the Ready Set Go podcast, according to Pulsesports.co.ke.
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“They came in and we had a discussion and then we told the CEO at the time, we actually flew to Kenya. We had the Puma CEO who flew us to Kenya and sat us in a meeting and when he said the figure I had to play it cool.”
Bolt, who has made a name for himself as the fastest man in history, signed with Puma in 2003 when he was a junior athlete and has not worked with any other sporting brand.
The German sportswear giant, which has a long history in track and field, made a move to secure Bolt’s signature. According to Bolt, Puma’s offer went beyond financial incentives. The company presented lifetime partnership that would include not only endorsements but also a significant role in shaping the future of the brand.
Thanks to the partnership, Puma launched a line of Bolt-inspired apparel and footwear. The collection, which features bold designs and cutting-edge technology, was met with enthusiasm from fans and athletes alike.
In 2013, it was reported that Bolt will earn an estimated $10 million a year in a sponsorship deal with Puma that will take him to the end of his career. The sports company noted that once Bolt retires from competition, he will be paid $4 million per year to act as a Puma ambassador.
Bolt, who retired in 2017, was born on August 21, 1986, to Wellesley and Jennifer in a small town in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica. His parents were grocery store owners. In his childhood, he spent time playing cricket and football in the street.
Bolt was encouraged to switch to track and field by his cricket coach who noticed his fast running speed. He was coached by Dwayne Jarrett and Pablo McNeil, a former Olympic sprinter, during his high school days and he began winning medals in competitions.
He made his first appearance on the world stage in 2001 at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Hungary. He set a world record in the 100-meter race at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
