New Details - Olympique Marseille Agrees Puma Kit Deal + Could Go Sponsorless Next Season
Mar 22, 2017, by Pat
- Puma Kit Deal: Olympique Marseille will sign a five-year kit deal with Puma starting in the 2018-19 season, worth around €14-15 million per year.
- Reasons for Puma: Marseille chose Puma over Adidas because Puma offered a five-year deal and a higher level of international advertising.
- Possible Sponsorless Season: Olympique Marseille may not have a main sponsor for the 2017-18 season, as they've rejected offers they deem inadequate.
French radio station RMC today reported that Olympique Marseille and Puma will sign a five-year deal in the coming days. The deal, which is set to start from the 2018-19 season, is expected to be worth between 14 and 15 million Euro, excluding bonuses.
RMC also reports that there are two main reasons why OM chose Puma over Adidas. First, Puma will bring the club on the same level as Dortmund and Arsenal in international advertising campaigns. Second, Puma offered a five years deal, whereas Adidas just offered a four year deal.
Olympique Marseille to Have No Main Sponsor Next Season
It was already rumored that OM will have to find a new main sponsor ahead of the 2017-18 season, and RMC also revealed new details on Marseille's ongoing negotiations with different brands.
Olympique Marseille refused an offer from a sports betting site as the offer was not good enough. The club could have no main sponsors at all next season but show a highlight of the city on the front as they do not want to sell their main sponsor place on the front of the jersey below market price. The club aspires to play in the Champions League in the 2018-2019 season with thier new investor.
Update: Reliable French newspaper L'ÉQUIPE has reported that Puma will become Olympique Marseille's new kit supplier from the 2018-19 season, paying them 14 million Euro a year, excluding bonuses. Last Monday, Adidas confirmed that they would not renew their deal with OM.
According to French football news site @InstantFoot, Olympique Marseille and Puma are close to officially announcing a kit supplier partnership that would start with the 2018-19 season.
Olympique Marseille to Sign Puma Kit Deal
Puma is set to replace Adidas as Marseille jersey supplier after many years, mainly due to different views in regards to OM's stores across town, which Adidas would have liked to continue to manage. Puma won't pursue this retail space and this is what has led to Adidas' local rival to win this contract.
#Exclu 🔥
— Instant Foot (@lnstantFoot) 9. März 2017
Adidas et l'OM, c'est fini.
Puma commence à travailler sur les futurs maillots et devrait bientôt officialiser le partenariat. pic.twitter.com/tFfoLJpLkn
Adidas was previously rumored to have tabled an offer of €14 million a year (compared to the current €10 million) and it's likely that Puma's is of a similar magnitude.
Although not officially announced yet, the confirmation is close according to @InstantFoot as Puma has already started work on the Marseille 18-19 kits.
Are you happy to see Olympique Marseille team up with Puma? Would you have prepared to see the club continue with Adidas or sign with Under Armour, which was also interested? Comment below, and check out all leaked 2017-18 jerseys in the Kit Overview.
J.League x Pokémon: 60 Clubs, 60 Pokémon
The J.League has announced one of its most creative collaboration yet, teaming up with Pokémon for the 'Pokémon J.League Fest 'EVOLUTION!'' campaign ahead of the 2026-27 season.
All 60 clubs across J1, J2 and J3 have been paired with their own Pokémon, with the campaign following each Pokémon's evolution throughout the season across official artwork, graphics and promotional content.
The collaboration also celebrates 30 years of Pokémon (1996-2026) while building excitement for the new J.League campaign, which kicks off on 7 August.
Fans attending matches will receive one of one million exclusive EVO BAGs, each featuring Pikachu alongside the home club's partner Pokémon.
This isn't the first crossover between the two either. Back in 2014, the J.League and Pokémon launched the Family Join Days campaign, where young supporters received exclusive Pikachu trading cards at stadiums.
If your favorite club could be paired with any Pokémon, which one would you choose? Let us know in the comments below.
Hoffenheim Call Out Twitter Accounts Promoting Fake Kits
German club TSG Hoffenheim has taken a humorous approach to address a growing trend on social media involving the promotion of counterfeit football shirts. The club's official account posted a sarcastic message mimicking the exact language used by accounts that advertise fake kits. The post claimed to have found a really cool site for authentic shirts of top quality and insisted the endorsement was entirely voluntary, before directing users to a link in the replies.
Instead of linking to a counterfeit retailer, Hoffenheim's reply simply provided the URL to their official club shop. The joke directly targets a widespread practice on social media where various football-focused accounts promote unauthorized replica stores. In exchange for posting these scripted advertisements, the account owners typically receive a small number of free fake kits, valued at around 35 Euros, rather than monetary compensation.
1. FC Nürnberg 26-27 Home Kit Leaked - Official Pictures
The first real pictures of the 1. FC Nürnberg 2026-27 home kit have been leaked online by @Bundesleaker. Made by Adidas, the new FC Nürnberg 2026-27 home jersey will be worn in the UPCOMING 2. Bundesliga season.
Iwate Grulla Morioka 26-27 Home, Away & Goalkeeper Kits Released
Japan Football League team Iwate Grulla Morioka have unveiled new kit collection for 2026-27 season. The designs are made by famous English brand Umbro.
The four kits share two different templates: The white home kit and pink goalkeeper home kit features 3-D diagonal graphic with gradient effect, whereas the red away kit and yellow goalkeeper away kit use outlined stripes along with black and white details.
What do you think of Iwate Grulla Morioka 2026-27 kits? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Koper FC 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Slovenian PrvaLiga runners-up Koper FC have introduced their three new kits for 2026-27 season, partner with Macron for the 7th consecutive season.
The home kit featuring a striking yellow base with liquid-like pattern and blue trims. The same design is applied for the third kit, using black and gold as its colorway.
The away kit, on the other hand, uses a reverse pallete compared to the home kit, adding the city's skyline graphic across the chest.
What do you think of Koper FC 2026-27 kits? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.