sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Adidas Will Pledge One Per Cent Of Net Sales From Footballs To Common Goal In Remarkable Gesture

Adidas Will Pledge One Per Cent Of Net Sales From Footballs To Common Goal In Remarkable Gesture

The partnership between Adidas and Juan Mata's Common Goal initiative will run until 2023.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Adidas has announced they will donate one per cent of global net sales from footballs to Juan Mata's Common Goal initiative.

The German sportswear giant has agreed to do this until 2023 to help drive lasting social change.

Common Goal launched in 2017 with the backing of Manchester United midfielder Mata, who donates one per cent of his earnings to charitable causes.

A host of superstars have joined the cause since then, including Serge Gnabry, Paulo Dybala, Timo Werner, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as well as former United Women's boss Casey Stoney.

Image
PA

Common Goal will collaborate with the Adidas Football Collective to grow communities across the world and tackle racism and discrimination and power gender equality, while fostering mental well-being as well as promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Mata said in a statement: "I've been a part of the Adidas family for many years and with Common Goal from the very beginning, so this collaboration is very special.

"This partnership will help us to use football as a force for good and come together to try and tackle social issues as one.

"This is really only the start. For me, team play is the most important thing and through solidarity, empathy and effort, I believe that anyone can reach their goals.

"Our ambition is to make Common Goal the biggest football club in the world, where everyone is welcome."

Image
PA

Common Goal co-founder Jurgen Griesbeck believes social impact has become incredibly important to football.

He added: "This partnership with Adidas represents a shift in the football industry. Social impact has moved to a high priority for football stakeholders.

"Adidas has shown its leadership in investing in Common Goal and together we can scale and accelerate football's contribution towards the global goals."

Adidas has supplied the footballs for Euro 2020 this summer and this announcement is the final in their campaign for the tournament.

It is inspired by a long-term commitment to bring a more positive and inclusive world through sport.

The overall aim of their three-year partnership is to directly impact 90,000 lives through a series of four proposed projects.

Image
PA

They include the following:

  • Global Goal 5 Accelerator: creating a world where every girl has the opportunity to develop her full potential.
  • Anti-Racist Project: to end racism in football - on the field, on the sidelines, in the front office and across our communities.
  • Play Proud: making grassroots football organisations, programmes and communities around the world inclusive for LGBTQ+ communities.
  • Global Goal 16 Impact: empowering young people to shape their communities and play a key role in creating peaceful and inclusive societies.

Adidas Director for Communities and Culture, Gonzalo Calvo, explained: "At Adidas, we are committed to creating change through football.

"We cannot do this alone, however, and therefore look to individuals and organisations with a shared commitment to action, such as Common Goal.

"This is a team effort, and it was important to announce this partnership and our ambitions for it during the most collaborative and inclusive football tournament in European history. This is just the start."

Featured Image Credit: PA Images & Adidas

Topics: Juan Mata, Football, Adidas