WELLINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuter) - A public flotation is being considered to keep the All Black name in New Zealand hands as an alternative to a multi-million sponsorship offer from U.S. sportswear giant Nike, The Dominion newspaper reported on Saturday.
The paper said the Nike bid was for NZ$70 million (US$45 million) over 10 years and included a requirement to play a number of games at venues decided by Nike, a condition many New Zealand rugby union officials oppose.
Nike recently took over sponsorship of South Africa's Springbok rugby team. It also sponsors the Brazilian soccer team which has been required to play in Miami.
A flotation is seen as one way of fending off the overseas bid and raising a similar amount of capital for rugby development.
The Dominion said the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) discussed the Nike offer last month and is due to do so again at a meeting on October 20.
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