Kylian Mbappe Has Joined Sportswear Brand On
The football star ended a two-decade partnership with Nike to collaborate with the Swiss company.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Soccer
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Kylian Mbappe has officially parted ways with Nike after a 20-year relationship. He is moving to the Swiss sportswear brand On as it prepares for an expansion into the football market.
Why it matters
Mbappe is seeking to collaborate with innovators, while On aims to solidify its growth by entering the professional football space. The deal is structured with both cash and equity components to align the star with the brand's long-term performance.
On's share price rose 5% in premarket trading following the news of the partnership. The brand has targeted 2027 for the official launch of its inaugural line of football boots.
The players
Kylian Mbappe
He is a world-class professional footballer who won the World Cup in 2018.
On
It is a Swiss sportswear company that is expanding its global athletic footprint.
Thierry Henry
He is a legendary former professional footballer currently serving as the director of football for On.
Nike
It is a global footwear and apparel giant that has maintained a long-term supply agreement with the French national team.
Lamine Yamal
He is a professional footballer who recently transitioned his endorsement portfolio to Adidas.
The details
Thierry Henry has been appointed as the director of football for On to guide the brand's strategy in the sport. This move follows a broader trend of high-profile athletes transitioning away from long-standing incumbents, similar to Lamine Yamal's recent move to Adidas.
Timeline
2006 marked the start of the relationship between Mbappe and Nike.
September 18, 2026, served as the date of the announcement regarding the exit from Nike.
2027 is the scheduled year for the launch of football boots by On.
2033-2034 will see the conclusion of Nike's kit-supply agreement with the French national team.
Season Trajectory
This move reflects an accelerating shift in market power within the sports apparel sector. By aligning with Lamine Yamal's endorsement switch to Adidas, the industry is witnessing a trend where top-tier stars prioritize emerging equity-heavy partnerships over legacy brand incumbents.
The introduction of On boots in 2027 will create a new entry in the high-performance football gear market for consumers. Investors should note that the athlete's equity stake ties his personal commercial success directly to the brand's performance metrics moving forward.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights a growing desire among modern athletes to secure equity in the companies they represent rather than relying solely on traditional sponsorship fees. Fans can expect On to heavily leverage Mbappe's profile as they develop their technical product line over the next few years.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of elite athletic endorsements, visit our Soccer section.
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