By Mark Baber
February 5 – Liverpool FC announced on Wednesday that sports apparel manufacturer, New Balance would be the club’s official kit supplier from the 2015/16 football season onwards in a deal described as record-breaking.
Billy Hogan, Chief Commercial Officer at Liverpool FC, declared that:
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with one of the world’s leading sportswear brands, which is a record-breaking deal for the Club.”
“Like Liverpool FC, New Balance has over 100 years of heritage and a global footprint. Not only are they well known for their technical innovation across a range of sports but they also have a presence in many countries across the world, which will all feature LFC kit. We are very excited about joining forces with them,” he added.
Richard Wright, General Manager of New Balance Football said:
“Liverpool FC is one of the most successful and decorated clubs in world football and we’re delighted to partner with them. The partnership represents an important step for New Balance launching into football and reflects the global growth ambitions of the brand. Over the course of the contract New Balance will bring innovation and world class product to Liverpool FC and its global fan base.”
Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Liverpool FC, have a long-standing relationship with Boston-based New Balance through the Boston Red Sox and New Balance’s Warrior brand, which will now focus on lacrosse and ice hockey, is Liverpool’s current kit sponsor.
Although no figures have been officially released, it is understood that the new deal is worth a minimum of $40m (£26m) per year for the Anfield-based club.
The other Warrior sponsorships, including of FC Porto, Sevilla, Stoke City, Randers FC, Shamrock Rovers, NEC Nijmegen, Sagan Tosu, Odds BK and Emelec can also now be expected to swap over to the New Balance brand as it launches its assault into global football.