Nike & Liverpool Announce Potentially Record-Breaking Sponsorship Deal
Liverpool FC today officially confirmed its new partnership with Nike, who will become the official jersey supplier for the reigning UEFA Champions League winners from the 2020/21 season onwards.
The multi-year partnership begins on June 1 and will see Nike supply Liverpool’s jerseys, training, and travel wear. Nike will outfit the men’s, women’s, and academy squads, as well as the coaching staff and Liverpool FC foundation.
Nike will take over from New Balance, who had been the club’s official kit supplier from 2015 and will continue until the end of the current season. Liverpool and New Balance previously went to court as the New England sportswear company tried to block the Nike deal from going through.
Billy Hogan, Liverpool’s managing director and chief commercial officer, said: “Our iconic kit is a key part of our history and identity. We welcome Nike into the LFC family as our new official kit supplier and expect them to be an incredible partner for the club, both at home and globally as we continue to expand our fanbase. As a brand, Nike reflects our ambitions for growth, and we look forward to working with them to bring fans new and exciting products.”
It’s currently unclear exactly how much Liverpool’s deal with Nike is worth. Some outlets are reporting the deal to be worth around £80 million a year (approximately $105.5 million). If true, this would make it the most lucrative kit deal in English football, surpassing Manchester United’s reported £75 million a year with adidas. Only Real Madrid (£98 million a year) and Barcelona (£100 million a year) would have more valuable jersey sponsorship deals in world football. However, other sources believe the deal to be worth around £30 million with the added bonus of 20 percent of royalties on all jersey sales.