Liverpool have officially confirmed the extension of their deal with kit supplier New Balance, on the day a lucrative deal with Nike was due to come into effect.
The Reds won a legal battle with New Balance earlier this year, green-lighting an expected deal with Nike to manufacture their kits, training gear and other merchandise from 2020/21 onwards.
The change in suppliers was due to take effect from 1 June, but that was before the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the end of the Premier League season until the summer.
Official confirmation from #LFC that they will complete the 2019/20 season in their new balance kit. The new five-year contract with Nike was pushed back two months and now begins on August 1. Club staff are preparing for a big launch this week.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) June 1, 2020
As a result, New Balance will continue to produce kits until July 31 – when the Premier League should end.
A statement on Liverpool’s website read: “Liverpool FC can confirm that New Balance will continue as the club’s official kit supplier until 31 July 2020.
“It has been mutually agreed with New Balance, the club and incoming kit supplier Nike that the contract, which was due to expire on 31 May 2020, will be extended due to the suspension of the Premier League as a result of Covid-19.
“Nike’s terms as official kit supplier to the club, for the men’s, women’s and academy squads, as well as the coaching staff and the Liverpool FC Foundation, are due to commence on 1 August 2020.”
Virgil van Dijk banner displayed in Liverpool Lime Street / Nigel Rhodes / Getty Images
The Athletic’s James Pearce added that staff are preparing for a big launch event on a new date when Nike is set to take over.
No plans have yet been announced for the grand event, and it is likely that it will not be expected due to the state of lockdown in the UK.
In the past, it has been suggested that a major reason for the Reds’ switch to New Balance was Nike’s global brand, while sporting icons such as LeBron James – who is actually a minor stakeholder in Liverpool Football Club – even Can join the launch. or ongoing marketing in some capacity.
Liverpool are currently focused on the planned resumption of their Premier League title challenge on June 17. It has been reported that friendly matches may be held before the expected restart, to acclimate players to playing without fans.
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