Liverpool have reportedly agreed a new kit deal with sportswear giants Nike… but it’s £15million less than their current contract with New Balance.
And, it will apparently see ‘cursed’ rap superstar Drake help promote the club.
According to The Times, Liverpool have agreed a guaranteed £30m-per-year deal with Nike.
That deal is much less than their current £45m contract with Boston-based brand New Balance, but it is claimed the Nike deal includes 20 per cent royalties.
It is also substantially lower than the deals Chelsea and Tottenham have negotiated with Nike, believed to be over £50m, while Paris Saint-Germain currently earn £71-a-year from their deal.
However, it is suggested Liverpool are confident the agreement they have struck offers them better long-term value than their current New Balance agreement.
Click Here: brisbane lions guernsey 2019
The addition of royalties means Liverpool could well earn more than the extra £15m on offer from New Balance in shirt sales alone. Nike boast a much larger global distribution network than the rival firm, which means more Liverpool fans from around the world will be able to buy kits and other club merchandise.
The Times also claim Liverpool’s proposed deal with Nike could see “non-football global superstar athletes and influencers” help promote the club, including the likes of Drake, basketball superstar and Liverpool fan and investor LeBron James and tennis icon Serena Williams.
That news may not be well received by supporters, who will surely be hoping rap superstar Drake stays well away from their players, with a host of top sports stars and teams being ‘cursed’ after posing with the American for photographs.
The Reds are currently embroiled in a court battle with New Balance, who say their contract allows them to match any offer from another kit supplier and they have reportedly matched Nike’s terms.
The Times claim to have seen papers served to the High Court which outline the Reds’ desire to end their New Balance partnership due to Nike’s distribution power.
However, New Balance are adamant they can compete with the terms offered by Nike and will contest their case with the Premier League club during a three-day trial scheduled to start on October 18.