Soccer mega-star David Beckham's deal to become an international ambassador for the Chinese Soccer Super League is causing tension between the league and Nike, one of its biggest sponsors.

Beckham plans to travel to China later this year to raise interest in the league and the game. But after learning about the Chinese league's deal with Beckham, a high-profile representative of Nike-rival adidas, Nike executives in China on February 25 warned them in writing to honor their exclusive footwear and apparel deal with the Oregon-based giant.

In the letter, which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Nike stated it would require the CSL 'and all stakeholders (including Beckham) to abide by' their agreement's rules for any CSL-related public occasions. No appearance of a Nike competing brand trademark or emblem. No derogation or defamation of Nike company, Nike brand or Nike products. No promotion or praise to Nike competing brand or product.

Beckham's schedule in China of meetings, photo-ops, and dinners won't likely offer many soccer-playing opportunities. But he will likely hold a few clinics with Chinese children, in which case, Beckham will undoubtedly be wearing his adidas.

Nike officials didn't return messages seeking comment. Sports conglomerate IMG, which has a joint venture and represents the business interests of China's soccer league, declined to comment.

A spokesman for Beckham said, 'David has a long standing and successful relationship with adidas. As far as we're concerned there are no issues on our side and David is looking forward to promoting the game he is passionate about in China.'

In other words, Beckham essentially wears what he wants to wear. Beckham has signed a series of long-term deals with adidas that have already netted him tens of millions. However, when he plays on a team sponsored by Nike, such as his current club, Paris Saint-Germain, he does don the kit with the ubiquitous swoosh.

超级足球明星贝克汉姆(David Beckham)同中国足球超级联赛(Chinese Soccer Super League)签约，同意成为中超联赛的国际形象大使。此事导致中超联赛与其最大赞助商之一的耐克公司关系紧张。

Panoramic/Zuma Press贝克汉姆贝克汉姆计划在今年晚些时候前往中国，以提高外界对中超联赛和中国足球的兴趣。但在得知中超联赛和贝克汉姆的这一协定之后，耐克中国区高管在2月25日向中超联赛发出书面警告，要求他们履行同总部设在美国俄勒冈州的耐克公司签订的鞋类和服装独家赞助协议。贝克汉姆是耐克公司的竞争对手阿迪达斯的知名代言人。

在《华尔街日报》看到的这份书面文件中，耐克公司表示，它会要求中超联赛“和所有利益相关者（包括贝克汉姆）”遵守双方达成的在与中超联赛有关的任何公共场合必须执行的规定。在这些场合不得出现耐克竞争对手的品牌商标或标志。不能诋毁或诽谤耐克公司、耐克品牌或耐克产品。不能宣传或赞美耐克竞争对手的品牌或产品。

贝克汉姆在中国参会、进行照片宣传和出席晚宴的时间安排不太可能给他留出太多踢足球的机会。但贝克汉姆还是可能会安排几场“大师班”，以便向中国的青少年传授足球技艺。在这些场合，贝克汉姆无疑会穿上阿迪达斯的装备。

耐克公司的负责人没有回复记者的置评请求。在中国拥有一家合资企业且代表中超联赛商业利益的大型体育综合企业美国国际管理集团(IMG)不予置评。

贝克汉姆的发言人说，贝克汉姆同阿迪达斯有着长期且成功的合作关系，就目前所能看到的情况而言，我们这方没有出现任何问题，贝克汉姆期待着在中国推广他心爱的足球运动。

换句话说，贝克汉姆基本上是想穿什么就穿什么。贝克汉姆已经同阿迪达斯签署了一系列长期合同，这给他带来了数千万美元的收入。然而，当他为一只由耐克公司赞助的球队效力时（比如他目前效力的俱乐部巴黎圣日耳曼队），他还是得穿上耐克提供的装备。