Can't speak for nick, but Nike products are usually very good quality, whereas Hummel are pretty poor, and wear after a few months.
Thats why they don't sponsor many clubs, while Nike sponsor a fair few 'big' clubs.
As a runner, I can assure you that Nike is far from the best quality in terms of runnings shoes and clothes, well behind Ascics, Addidas, Reebok amongst others...so I think the quality thing is a myth based on people being force marketed to. In addition this years kit was the best quality kit I have ever owned, by a long long way.
Wasn't Nick responding to a comment about the commercial department, surely the commercial department is interested 'mainly' in the monetary part of the club? Hance my initial question.