Topic: New Kit thread

[AFX]

Main difference seems to be the deal to sell the kit in all NB outlets worldwide. Looks like they've changed over and signed an extension at a higher rate from the various official statements. Exact length and cost may well be confidential for the time being.

This would make sense, they must be getting something extra. If the current Warrior deal is to 2018, why would New Balance pay more money for years they've already won the contract for?

Also, if we have extended the deal, we're surely getting significantly more money. We wouldn't extend for a small increase without shopping around. If Parry was in charge maybe but not FSG.

[Durlmints]

Sells though.

I hate this type of rationalization.

So because the kits sell okay, that means they must be nice kits?

How do you know a nicer kit wouldn't sell even better?

Match of the day gets great viewing figures with Phil Neville and Danny Murphy as pundits, does that mean they are good pundits?

[CraigDS]

I hate this type of rationalization.

So because the kits sell okay, that means they must be nice kits?

How do you know a nicer kit wouldn't sell even better?

Match of the day gets great viewing figures with Phil Neville and Danny Murphy as pundits, does that mean they are good pundits?

We weren't on about the kits, we were on about the leisure wear and other gear the club makes.

As for that stuff being 'nice', that's a massively subjective call. What you might find nice I may not, same the other way round. I'd hope they are selling at a level which the club feels it shows they've got the design, and mix of items, right. If not then hopefully the right changes are made.

[Kopenhagen]

How does this deal compare to Utd's Adidas deal & Arsenal's Puma deal?

[CraigDS]

How does this deal compare to Utd's Adidas deal & Arsenal's Puma deal?

Arsenal's puma deal is £30m a season, so is Chelsea's. United is something like £75m but there are various clauses and increases over the years I believe. All there have basically given over all merchandise control though, so club shop/online store are run by the manufacturer.

As for this deal, it's a bit of an unknown. If it's not changed then its £25m a season. This is just for the kits and training gear though, we can sell our own stuff beyond this and keep control of the club shops and online stores. At the time of the Warrior deal Ayre said this was worth something like a further £25m a year to us.

[IndianRed]

Arsenal's puma deal is £30m a season, so is Chelsea's. United is something like £75m but there are various clauses and increases over the years I believe. All there have basically given over all merchandise control though, so club shop/online store are run by the manufacturer.

As for this deal, it's a bit of an unknown. If it's not changed then its £25m a season. This is just for the kits and training gear though, we can sell our own stuff beyond this and keep control of the club shops and online stores. At the time of the Warrior deal Ayre said this was worth something like a further £25m a year to us.

Aren't Garuda Airlines sponsoring our training gear? 

[TepidT2O]

It's a difficult deal to quantify as we can sell our merchandise directly which is different to most clubs.

When we sign with warrior they said it could be worth roughly double the stated value (which was £25m a year).

This time it's the other way round.... I suspect the like for like value of the deal is about half of the £300m...

[Mamadou]

can we have two threads, one for design and one for financial bollocks?

[RooiBefok]

Aren't Garuda Airlines sponsoring our training gear?

Correct and Standard Chartered sponsor our Playing Kits.

However, neither Garuda Airlines or Standard Chartered manufacture our Kit.

[OzBomber]

The very first Warrior home kit was great, pure red, simple design, I still wear mine, and will do until there's another nice home kit.

I thought so too, however last seasons one grew on me to the point that it's my 2nd favourite kit of all time (behind the Adidas one) and I'm shattered I didn't buy one. May have something to do with our success as to why I liked it but I think the white bits complimented the yellow beautifully.

[Liamski-la]

Sells though.

Does it though?

Id be interested to see figures for lfc's own merchandise.

It's expensive and not particularly tasteful.

[CraigDS]

Does it though?

Id be interested to see figures for lfc's own merchandise.

It's expensive and not particularly tasteful.

I've no direct figures for it, it is an assumption on my part simply due to the sheer amount of it I've seen being worn, the amount I've seen being purchased in a number of the shops, comments from Ayre, the fact we are continuing on this model and the fact we are moving fast along a plan of opening our own stores around the world as well as refurbing others (such as Liv One, which apparently is the largest club retail store outside of a stadium in Europe).

[RainbowFlick]

Arsenal and Chelsea get £5m more a year than us, however this is for EVERYTHING. Kits, training gear, hats, bags, all of it. The manufacturers control the sale of all that stuff and take their cut.

All Warrior/NB produce as part of this deal are the kits and training gear, we produce the rest of the stuff ourselves and control all our own stores and online shopping portals.

The only club in the UK who get more than us is United, and their Adidas deal is just ridiculous to be honest.

Wonder how much of the LFC-brand stuff actually sells. There's probably two things I've ever seen which look remotely wearable.

[Liamski-la]

Wonder how much of the LFC-brand stuff actually sells. There's probably two things I've ever seen which look remotely wearable.

My thoughts exactly, but someone must be buying it.

Are we the only elite European team to produce our own merchandise?

If it was such a great idea, why's everyone not doing it?

[CraigDS]

My thoughts exactly, but someone must be buying it.

Are we the only elite European team to produce our own merchandise?

If it was such a great idea, why's everyone not doing it?

Pretty much anyone with Nike don't have control of their own shops or online store, this is totally run by Nike. I'm fairly certain Adidas have gone down this model now too, although don't think they did so back when they started sponsoring us after Reebok (could be wrong but sure we still ran our own stores), however thing they produced and took a cut of all the leisure type wear which will of carried the adidas brand.

As to why isn't everyone doing it, mix of a few things really that I can think of. Some clubs simply wouldn't have the demand around the world for that type of product to make it worth while opening up distribution (own shops, localised online stores, etc) and some, I imagine, would just prefer to have the money up front and not have to deal with the issue of doing it themselves.

This massive range of non-kit/training gear is a relatively new idea, so it could well be a case of us being the first to attempt this type of method - which if it works will no doubt see lots playing catch up to try and follow in our footsteps.

[paulrazor]

Pretty much anyone with Nike don't have control of their own shops or online store, this is totally run by Nike. I'm fairly certain Adidas have gone down this model now too, although don't think they did so back when they started sponsoring us after Reebok (could be wrong but sure we still ran our own stores), however thing they produced and took a cut of all the leisure type wear which will of carried the adidas brand.

As to why isn't everyone doing it, mix of a few things really that I can think of. Some clubs simply wouldn't have the demand around the world for that type of product to make it worth while opening up distribution (own shops, localised online stores, etc) and some, I imagine, would just prefer to have the money up front and not have to deal with the issue of doing it themselves.

This massive range of non-kit/training gear is a relatively new idea, so it could well be a case of us being the first to attempt this type of method - which if it works will no doubt see lots playing catch up to try and follow in our footsteps.

i think adidas in the end did match warriors figure but we have more control with warrior

which is likely what everything boiled down too

i know adidas start saying we were no value for money anymore but it just came across as sour grapes to me

[Nessy76]

Will this help us buy players like Messi now?

Short Argentinians with weird hair? Yeah, shedloads.

[Nessy76]

My thoughts exactly, but someone must be buying it.

Are we the only elite European team to produce our own merchandise?

If it was such a great idea, why's everyone not doing it?

It all looks a bit like the stuff you imagine golfers wearing, all wanky polo shirts and cardies and cack like that. And whenever there's a sale, there's always tons of the stuff unsold, which makes you wonder. Decent range of quality player t-shirts would shift by the bucketload. At the moment, there's 2 Gerrard designs, 1 Sterling and 1 Sturridge.

Why does the LFC club shop not sell Coutinho T-Shirts? Why can't I have Emre Can's manly face across my chest? Where are the Flannagan boxer shorts? The Lucas Lingerie? The Robbie Fowler P-Js?

[Keith Lard]

Moving from one meffy brand to another

[CraigDS]

Moving from one meffy brand to another

NB has always been a fairly specialist (and expensive) sports brand, I wouldn't really class it as meffy, unless you don't know the meaning of the word or think anything which is Nike or adidas as meffy.

[Nessy76]

Love how people can have a serious debate over what is and isn't meffy.

[CraigDS]

Love how people can have a serious debate over what is and isn't meffy.

We all agree you're meffy during that debate though 

[4pool]

i think adidas in the end did match warriors figure but we have more control with warrior

which is likely what everything boiled down too

i know adidas start saying we were no value for money anymore but it just came across as sour grapes to me

Adidas never came close to matching Warriors deal.

When we signed with Warrior, Nike offered a slight bit more but would take over total control of all shops and marketing. We made more with Warrior and our own marketing of non Warrior identified product. The accounts since we went with Warrior show this.

Now we have an improved deal from New Balance. Nike and Adidas were not in the running with any seriousness.

[Kopenhagen]

Wonder how much of the LFC-brand stuff actually sells. There's probably two things I've ever seen which look remotely wearable.

Lots of people wearing that shite around the ground and on the train, I noticed. It's all very cringey but if it sells, who cares.

[Nessy76]

We all agree you're meffy during that debate though 

 

[Mighty Zeus]

Interesting interview in the Echo from Richard Wright, talking about the difference between Warrior and NB. Apparently we can expect more traditional designs. As long as they're not totally shit, I don't care.

He also says

“Liverpool has always been a stand-out club that wants to have its own identity. Hopefully, with our guys coming in as a new brand to football, but still a big global brand, will give them that singular identity.”

Oh great. Thanks. At least we can rely on a gigantic sports brand to be responsible for our identity.

Just make the kits 'not shit', please, and give us some money. thanks. X

[Nessy76]

Adidas never came close to matching Warriors deal.

When we signed with Warrior, Nike offered a slight bit more but would take over total control of all shops and marketing. We made more with Warrior and our own marketing of non Warrior identified product. The accounts since we went with Warrior show this.

Now we have an improved deal from New Balance. Nike and Adidas were not in the running with any seriousness.

As it was basically a renegotiation of the existing deal, I doubt Nike or Adidas would have got a look-in anyway. There'll be exclusive rights to negotiate, probably.

[ericthered10]

Since the announcement Warrior gear has plummeted in price...picked these up for $60, original price was $200. Thanks NB.

[CraigDS]

Oh great. Thanks. At least we can rely on a gigantic sports brand to be responsible for our identity.

I think it's good what he is saying. Basically admits they know we as fans know the club has it's own identity and want this, and they'll do what they can to give us this identity we have and want.

[ericthered10]

I think it's good what he is saying. Basically admits they know we as fans know the club has it's own identity and want this, and they'll do what they can to give us this identity we have and want.

That's how I see it. Don't want Nike or Adidas identikits, don't like duopolies either so I'm cool with having a unique kit maker and I know NB will be better than Warrior. More staid, no ridiculous slogans, and they will probably put out some pretty nice looking stuff.

[Mighty Zeus]

I think it's good what he is saying. Basically admits they know we as fans know the club has it's own identity and want this, and they'll do what they can to give us this identity we have and want.

I know. You're right. I'm just being a grumpy Marxist superfan.

It is important to remember, however, that this man presided over the horrific debacle of Warrior, so I'm confident in saying that he does not, in his heart, give a fumbling fuck about what the fans of any football club actually want, although bless him for having the manners to at least pretend in an interview for the Echo.

[CraigDS]

It is important to remember, however, that this man presided over the horrific debacle of Warrior, so I'm confident in saying that he does not, in his heart, give a fumbling fuck about what the fans of any football club actually want, although bless him for having the manners to at least pretend in an interview for the Echo.

Possibly so (was he actually involved in Warrior?), he also says this which sounds promising...

"Warrior’s brand personality is very different to New Balance.

With Warrior, as we all know, the attitude is all about being brash and sometimes quite close to the bone.

New Balance is more tradit-ional and a bit more considered in its views, so we’ll see a different kind of styling for sure.”

[Mighty Zeus]

God, I really AM a grumpy Marxist superfan.

[Mighty Zeus]

Yes, Wright was the boss of Warrior Football. Remember him discussing the first Warrior home kit.

Mein gott. What might have been!

[CraigDS]

BTW, if this guy is the same Richard Wright then he wasn't involved with Warrior. He has been head of Football, Cricket and F1 for Reebok since 2007.

https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/richard-wright/5/740/228

Edit- although have seen his named linked with Warrior prior to this recent NB stuff so seems his Linkedin is out of date.

[Mighty Zeus]

(Definitely him. I remember him being very proud of 'glory holes').

[Anfield89]

That's how I see it. Don't want Nike or Adidas identikits, don't like duopolies either so I'm cool with having a unique kit maker and I know NB will be better than Warrior. More staid, no ridiculous slogans, and they will probably put out some pretty nice looking stuff.

Warrior/New Balance would be no different to Nike or Adidas if they had more than a handful of teams to produce kits for. Even those get our designs from the season before.

[ericthered10]

Of course, but there's a huge gulf between current reality and the hypothetical you note. Also, thank science we don't have to deal with Adidas' new marketing direction that's Warrior level cringey

[Mighty Zeus]

Of course, but there's a huge gulf between current reality and the hypothetical you note. Also, thank science we don't have to deal with Adidas' new marketing direction that's Warrior level cringey

I endorse this post.

[4pool]