German soccer association to detail Adidas talks

FRANKFURT, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The German football association (DFB) said it would give details later on Tuesday about discussions with sport goods firm Adidas AG (ADSG.DE: Quote, Profile , Research) on sponsorship of the German national soccer team.

The DFB said in a statement it would hold a news conference "on its current talks with Adidas" at 1300 GMT. Adidas had no immediate comment.

The DFB has confirmed that Adidas' archrival Nike Inc (NKE.N: Quote, Profile , Research) has made a "very interesting" offer to replace Adidas, whose contract expires at the end of 2010, as sponsor.

German media have said Nike was willing to pay 400 million euros ($516.8 million) for an eight-year contract plus a 50 million euro signing bonus, which would be in total almost five times more than what Adidas is paying.

Sport goods firms such as Adidas, Nike and Puma AG (PUMG.DE: Quote, Profile , Research) are vying to sponsor the best soccer teams to raise brand awareness and sales of replica clothing.

Analysts have said losing the German team would be a blow to Adidas which has been Germany's partner since it won its first World Cup title in 1954.

Adidas shares have lost almost 3 percent since the start of the year, making it one of the worst performers on the benchmark DAX <.GDAXI> index, which some traders have attributed to repeated media reports it might lose its DFB contract.

Nike already has five times World Champions Brazil under contract, while Puma is sponsoring 2006 Champions Italy, leaving Adidas with three-times Champion Germany as well as Argentina and France.

Germany has enjoyed close ties with Adidas since founder Adi Dassler helped its national team win its first title with his revolutionary screw-in studs.

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