The Union party is urging Adidas to significantly reduce the cost of the German national team’s youth kits before the World Cup. Stephan Mayer, the CDU faction’s spokesperson on sports, told the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday edition) that a price tag of 75 Euros for a child’s jersey presents a major financial burden for many families. Mayer stated, “Specifically in this area, I hope Adidas can find a way to offer at least these kits much more affordably”.
While acknowledging that government policy has no direct influence on pricing, Mayer emphasized that everyone wants the national team to maintain a strong fanbase among children. He argued that for young fans to connect with the team, they must be able to identify with it-and the kit is a vital part of that.
Jens Lehmann (CDU), Vice-Chairman of the Sports Committee, also noted the sustained high demand for the jerseys. Lehmann commented, “If things do not change, it is probably unlikely that the manufacturers will reconsider their pricing”. Ultimately, he suggested that the DFB and the manufacturers themselves must ensure that their overly aggressive pricing strategy does not alienate their loyal fans.
