Loyalty Pffffft It Is Business

in #football4 years ago

image (10).jpg
source

I was reading an article today about Liverpool Football Club and their kit sponsor New Balance. The kit deal is about to expire at the end of this season and Nike have now come on board. The deal with New Balance was that they would match any competitors deal so would continue the partnership with the club. I thought at first that this was a bit rough on New Balance as they have been with the club and having the clause would protect them. New Balance have now walked away from the Liverpool deal as the club are adamant they are going with the better supplier for their club. Liverpool is a football club, but foremost they are a business and have to do what is right by their owners and shareholders.

I think there is more to this than what the article was stating as it doesn't make sense. Nike's new deal with Liverpool is rumored to be in the region of £30 Million and New Balance was offering £45 Million. It isn't as straight forward as that though. On paper the New Balance deal looks far superior so where is the issue.
Liverpool-Nike-kit-740x520.jpg
source

Liverpool are a global brand and with success over the last couple of seasons comes boosted sales. Liverpool are flying high at the moment and they need to stay at the top to literally cash in. The clause in the New Balance contract was an offer to match any deal offered to Liverpool so they could continue working together. Liverpool however stated that there is much more to the Nike deal than just matching numbers.

Nike are offering £30 Million for the Liverpool rights firstly and then another 20 Percent on royalty's from sales around the world. Liverpool has some big name minor shareholders such as Le Bron James and rapper Drake. these are some of the names that will get behind the Liverpool brand over the next few years.

New Balance promised as part of their deal to have the Liverpool kit on sale in around 43000 Outlets around the world and achieved less than 3000. Nike has now offered Liverpool a guaranteed 6000 outlets globally that could possibly rise to over 13 000 outlets.The accountancy firm Deloitte was bought in to do a kit review deal before any new deals were made and Deloitte said that no one could match the distribution strength of Nike.

You don't have to be a genius to work this one out as matching the deal is a thumb suck. If new balance had the 43 000 outlets how many Liverpool shirts would have been sold over the last year alone? Nike through their outlets and contacts will double if not triple the availability of what New Balance was doing plus their is a 20 Percent royalty on all goods sold with the LFC badge.

£15 Million will be a drop in the ocean compared to what Liverpool may earn every year for the next 5 years. 20 percent royalties is huge and with possible increased sales could easily turn into a £100 Million deal. Football shirts are not cheap and the last time I looked were in the £50 pound range and with a line of different casual wear with the LFC logo it puts the New balance deal in the shade.

Sort:  

They are all a huge racket. I know that our school district jumps back and forth between the major providers every other year. It is usually between Nike and Under Armour. They all come in and tell you how great of a deal they are going to give you and then the reality is always pretty different. The problem is we just keep welcoming them back even though we know it is not in our best interest. Like I said, it is all a racket.

Especially when I can buy quality rip off shirts on any market here for a fraction of the price of a 'genuine' original. The cost of the shirts is 95% to pay for the sponsorship deal. The true material and manufacturing cost is next to nothing. Total racket and all to pay the big shot salaries.

It's crazy out there, sports is money and money is sports. Truth is I want to ask, did new balance sign any contract? How come Nike are now in the running? Is not really fair on new balance

New balance had the contract and part of that contract stated they would match any offer when it was time to resign. Liverpool wont resign as the hidden profits that Nike is offering New Balance can't possibly match. Even if New Balance doubled the £30 Million to £60 Million it wouldn't be enough. What Liverpool is doing is right for the club. New Balance never fulfilled their obligations over the last 5 years so Liverpool have the right not to accept their offer.

Well at first it Seemed unfair to New balance but well since they didn't really fufil their obligation. I guess the should try to do so when they get another deal

Hi, @cryptoandcoffee!

You just got a 5.32% upvote from SteemPlus!
To get higher upvotes, earn more SteemPlus Points (SPP). On your Steemit wallet, check your SPP balance and click on "How to earn SPP?" to find out all the ways to earn.
If you're not using SteemPlus yet, please check our last posts in here to see the many ways in which SteemPlus can improve your Steem experience on Steemit and Busy.