11 Apr 2019 16:45:49
Hi Eds and reds,

Lots of reports we are deep in negotiations with Nike for our next Kit.

Thoughts on this reds?

I think if it financially makes sense I am all for it, would prefer Adidas or even NB still as I like how different our kits are and I always loved our Adidas kits.

Eds if you are around, are the reports true? Also does this mean we have continued negotiations with only Nike or we are still speaking to other kit suppliers?

Sorry for the long post.

Keep up the good work!

{Ed002's Note - I really don't know anything of it.}


1.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 17:07:13
Nike kits are terrible.


2.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 17:11:46
According to an ESPN article (usually when they have one starting with “Source:” it carries some weight; however, I tend to wait for an official announcement before believing), New Balance has the right to match any other bid and it will be accepted by the club. So LFC are in negotiations with Nike, but NB remains a key player. I’ve always wanted Liverpool to have one of the larger brands, but I’ve grown to like NB and would happy to see that relationship continue. Honestly though, I don’t care if the lads wear ZAFUL if they’re coughing up £70m+ a year.


3.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 17:19:46
Who cares if there terrible. Fans will still buy them I know I will cause it still has that beautiful liverbird on the jersey. Whoever pays most and makes us most competitively financially is all that matters not the kit supplier. I'd have Lidl make our kits if we got the most money from them.


4.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 17:46:50
I agree with Smeg, the Nike kits are absolutely terrible. I hope NB or someone else meets or beats Nike's reported deal.


5.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 17:49:29
why is anyone bothered?


6.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 17:50:04
Whoever pays the most. That's all that matters.


7.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 18:30:15
Just goes to show how far Klopp has taken us, was only a few years ago people thought nike or adidas wouldn't be interested in us, that they had their core group of "elite"clubs. Well now we ARE one of those elite clubs, the top handful in the game and as long as Klopp is here we'll only improve.


8.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 18:38:33
Spot on, Smeg. Nike kits are utter rubbish. I actually like NB and would take them or Underarmour any day, over the dreadful Nike lot.


9.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 19:16:07
The new balance kits are poor quality and the labelling falls off after a few months so a new kit manufacturer would be nice, Adidas or reebok for sentiment?

{Ed001's Note - what do you do with them? Actually maybe it is better not to ask!}


10.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 19:19:19
The New Balance (NB) brand has also grown with us I must say, and it was interesting to see two teams in the Quarterfinals (Liverpool and Porto) playing against each other wearing NB jerseys.
I'm hoping they (NB) recognize the potential staying power of the Liverpool brand and the global spread of its fanbase, and use that as a basis to continue their relationship with us. I kind of like NB more than Nike or even Adidas, even though those two are bigger brands globally in football. I remember Adidas sort of bailed out when we stopped competing in Europe a few years back, and we got into a deal with Warrior and NB.
Anyhow, if we remain successful on the pitch, I guess the commercial side will take care of itself.
YNWA.


11.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 19:36:24
More to worry about than football kit manufacturers 😄.


12.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 19:49:46
Lol about right Ron. I wouldn't be fussed if it was Diadora, it's clothing with the Liverpool badge on, that's enough for me, the money side of it is irrelevant to us.


13.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 19:49:48
I love the designs Nike have for their jackets though. As I am from Cape Town the jackets are equally as important as the kits. We have an obsession with jackets around here so Capetonian Liverpool fans are over the moon with the possibility of Nike manufacturing the kits.


14.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 21:08:41
I would think a lot of it depends on whether we can win the league and/ or CL as that would be a huge factor in negotiations.


15.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 18:02:11
Hi Rd, sorry mate with you not knowing anything if it, does that mean there is no truth in it please and I should ignore it?


16.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 20:50:14
People care cos they are interested in the relationships the club builds with its stakeholders. And kits are a big piece of engagement with fans. Majority of fans, I would say, care about the look and feel of their club's kit. Plus there is the financial side. I mean durr . . . The manufacturers are obviously willing to part with millions of dollars and I don't think they're doing that so that a few footballers aren't running around nude. So that is why people care.

For me, I feel like NB have been a part of our journey and would like to see them continue. So would be ok if we received a slightly smaller deal with them for sake of keeping the relationship going. Although I vaguely remember ed2 making a comment about the club's association with ethically questionable sponsors and maybe NB were included in that? Clarify ed2?


17.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 23:10:44
Ed002 pointed out some time ago that the thing about a deal with Adidas or Nike isn’t just the money or the kit, but the ability to market world wide. Which NB don’t quite have that pull. Still, when you consider the day after we won the champions league the club shop was closed, this shows the strides that FSG have made in maximising revenues.


18.) 11 Apr 2019
11 Apr 2019 23:12:02
Hate to sound like some old fart (which I am) BUT as New Balance have stuck by us over the last few years and gave us a good deal of money, we should repay their faith and repay them now we are THE team (as long as they can match other offers) . We have to start showing morals even in business.


19.) 12 Apr 2019
12 Apr 2019 09:52:01
Its lfc, it should be adidas.


20.) 12 Apr 2019
12 Apr 2019 11:45:25
More surface area than a sock Ed!

{Ed001's Note - for some reason I feel a little like I am about to vomit....}


21.) 13 Apr 2019
13 Apr 2019 18:59:18
The NB kits have improved over time, last seasons home shirt was the best selling of all time I think and this years is fairly good. Some of the away ones have been awful but so have previous manufacturers.
I think the main thing is how much we are being paid and because of the length of contract we signed with NB/ Warrior we are miles behind other clubs and need to get aligned with the likes of Utd on that front and we are in a good position both on and off the pitch to push for this.
Having either Nike of Adidas adds prestige and pushes our brand further forward which is an added bonus but ultimately it lies with how much each company is willing to pay.
I am also sure that this is for 20/ 21 season and beyond and the NB contract ends at the end of next season?