Liverpool embroiled in kit war
LONDON:
New Balance is in a fight to retain its lucrative contract as Liverpool’s kit suppliers as the company look to take the European champions to London’s High Court over prolonging the partnership.
Nike is set to be announced as the Reds’ new supplier from next season, after agreeing a British record deal worth up to £80 million (RM417 million) per year, eclipsing Manchester United’s huge £75 million contract with adidas.
However, New Balance is desperate to continue as kit supplier and claim it has a clause to match Nike’s offer and stays on past May 2020.
The European Champions have been in discussions with all the leading sports manufacturers — including adidas and Puma — since last Christmas, having indicated to their current supplier, New Balance, that they wanted to explore alternatives.
Liverpool’s current £45million-a-year terms with New Balance expire next June and Anfield officials have felt for some time they were able to command improved figures elsewhere with the club’s stock have risen dramatically in the last two seasons.
Liverpool informed New Balance that they were looking elsewhere due to their improved stature in the game following two successful seasons under Jurgen Klopp.
A Liverpool spokesman told
The Athletic: “We can confirm that our kit supplier, New Balance, has commenced a legal dispute against the club.
“We will not be making any further comment during these legal proceedings.”
While New Balance reportedly claimed that it would match Nike’s offer, Liverpool believe their current supplier wouldn’t be able to match Nike’s global distribution network.
New Balance filed for the case on Sept 10.
United signed a 10-year contract with adidas in 2014 that is worth £750 million, while Premier League champions Manchester City agreed terms worth £650 million with Puma in February.
Barcelona (Nike, £100 milliona-year) and Real Madrid (£98 million per season, adidas) are the only clubs in the world who have bigger agreements at present than those in the Premier League.