Deal To Be Not Anounced Not Before 2020? Liverpool & Nike Win Court Battle Against New Balance
Oct 29, 2019, by Chris
Update: Premier League reporter David Ornstein from The Athletic has reported that the Liverpool Nike deal may only be communicated next year with legal security.
New Balance has lost the kit court battle against Liverpool, it was just announced by the High Court. This means that Nike will make Liverpool's kits from the 2020-21 season.
The decision about the Nike Liverpool New Balance battle was made by High Court judge Mr Justice Nigel Teare, who released a written judgement why he decided to dismiss New Balance's appeal.
He said: “For the reasons given in the judgement handed down the claim from New Balance is dismissed.”
Nike Wins Battle Mainly Because Of Global Superstars
It seems like the main reason why Nike won are the superstar athletes and influences LeBron James, Serena Williams and Drake Nike wants to involve for Liverpool FC for its sponsorship.
In his written judgement Mr Justice Teare says: “In my judgement the calibre of the named athletes or influences can be measured. “Mr Chris Davis (New Balance vice president) said the exercise of measurement was “very subjective.”
“I am not sure what he meant by that because a calculation based upon social media exposure is based on appearances which can be counted. It may be that different people have different views as to the most relevant way in which such appearances can be valued by some of those methods used (for example ‘max add value’ or share of voice value) will have a repeatable methodology.
“I accept that the calbre of the named athletes can be measured in a number of ways but it would be unrealistic (and contrary to the evidence in this case) that their calbre can not be measured.
“I have therefore concluded that the New Balance offer on marketing was less favourable to Liverpool FC than the Nike offer because Liverpool FC canot require New Balance, on the terms of its offer, to use global superstar athletes “of the calbire of LeBron James, Serena Williams and Drake”
“It must follow that Liverpool FC is not obliged to enter into a new agreement with New Balance upon the terms of the latter’s offer.”
He says: “For the reasons given in the judgement handed down the claim from New Balance is dismissed.”
Daniel Oudkerk, QC, representing New Balance, rises and says they need to discuss the question of appeal.
The appeal must have a “real prospect of success” to be allowed.
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Cobh Ramblers 2026 Third Kit Released
Cobh Ramblers have officially released their new third kit for the 2026 League of Ireland First Division campaign. Produced by German brand uhlsport, the strip introduces a classy black and gold color scheme while sharing the bespoke local design language featured across the club's 2026 kit collection.
The uhlsport Cobh Ramblers 2026 third shirt combines a black base with subtle tonal vertical striping. Flowing down the left side beneath the monochrome gold club crest are two striking gold vertical stripes shaped like lancet arches, inspired by the architecture and stained glass windows of St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh. Celtic knotwork adorns the v-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, while the uhlsport lettering and front-of-shirt sponsor Caltech Electrical Supplies are also finished in gold.
The new Cobh Ramblers 2026 third kit is now available through the club's official online store and physical club shop, retailing at €70 for adult sizes and €50 for kids.
Salisbury FC 26-27 Third Kit Revealed
English non-league side Salisbury FC have officially unveiled their new 26-27 third kit, brought back following the squad's recent tour of Kuwait. The release complements the club's home and away strips that were launched earlier in the summer.
The Salisbury FC 26-27 third shirt features a vibrant yellow base contrasted with royal blue accents. A retro-inspired blue collar with a v-neck insert frames the neckline, while dynamic blue striped graphics run down the sleeves and lower flanks. Continuing the club's deep ties to Kuwait under owner Ali Alhamad, the chest prominently displays the Arabic script logo of a Kuwaiti digital bank alongside the club crest.
The strip is completed with matching yellow shorts featuring blue side panels. The Salisbury 26-27 third shirt was made available exclusively to match-going fans at the club shop ahead of their FA Cup qualifying clash against Dulwich Hamlet.
Independiente del Valle 2026 Commemorative Kit Released
Ecuadorian powerhouse Independiente del Valle has teamed up with Marathon Sports to launch a special commemorative kit for the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. Designed as an end-of-the-year release, the new shirt will be worn by Los Rayados in their remaining LigaPro and Copa Ecuador fixtures as they push for silverware.
The Marathon Independiente del Valle 2026 commemorative jersey introduces a fresh color twist on the club's signature look. Dominated by a sleek black base, the shirt is highlighted by a wide vertical pink stripe running down the center of the chest with a subtle brushstroke texture. The IDV crest takes center stage directly inside the stripe beneath the Marathon logo, accompanied by matching pink trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs alongside crisp white sponsor graphics.
This special release stands apart from IDV's regular 2026 home shirt, which used blue detailing rather than the bold pink seen here. The jersey was unveiled following an exclusive blindfolded preview event for club members and is now available through official Marathon Sports stores and online retailers.
Marathon Universitario 2026 Señor de los Milagros Kit Released
Peruvian champions Universitario de Deportes and Marathon Sports have officially unveiled a special-edition kit honoring the Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles) for the second consecutive year. The commemorative release arrives just in time for October, the month traditionally associated with the religious devotion across Peru.
The Universitario 2026 Señor de los Milagros shirt retains the club's iconic cream base color, pairing it with deep purple and radiant gold detailing. An intricate, tone-on-tone graphic pattern covers the front and sleeves, inspired by religious stained glass windows and the embroidery found on traditional garments. The club crest has been given an ornate overhaul, outlined in purple with an elaborate golden sunburst surrounding it, while a dedicated Lord of Miracles patch adorns the upper back.
One of the most notable design features is on the sleeve cuffs, where purple bands display the logos and numbers of all the cuadrillas, the brotherhood groups responsible for carrying the procession litter during celebrations. The collection includes short-sleeve, long-sleeve, and purple goalkeeper editions alongside matching pre-match apparel.
Racing Santander 26-27 Third Kit Released
Spanish club Real Racing Club de Santander has officially unveiled its new third kit for the 26-27 season. Designed and produced by local Cantabrian sports brand Austral, the new strip brings back a stealthy black look accented with the club's signature green detailing.
The Austral Racing Santander 26-27 third jersey has a predominantly black base adorned with a tonal graphic pattern inspired by the lábaro cántabro, rendered in varying intensities across the front. Vivid green accents trim the collar, sleeve cuffs, and lower hem, while the sponsors and Austral logo appear in crisp white alongside the full-color club crest. Green shorts and black socks with green turnovers complete the uniform.
As a special tribute to the fanbase, the interior of the shirt is sublimated with the names of all 18,804 club season ticket holders for the 26-27 campaign. The kit debuted with a limited initial release of 500 units on the club's online store before rolling out to the physical shop at El Sardinero.
Giugliano 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Italian Serie C club Giugliano Calcio 1928 and technical partner Legea have officially unveiled their new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. The Campania-based club, nicknamed the Tigrotti, continue their collaboration with the domestic sportswear brand for the upcoming league campaign.
The Legea Giugliano 26-27 home shirt embraces the club's traditional gialloblù identity with a classic horizontal striped design. Bold blue hoops run across the bright yellow torso, complemented by solid yellow sleeves, subtle blue trim on the cuffs, and a matching crew collar. The chest features the club's tiger crest alongside Legea branding and local principal sponsor graphics.
The Legea Giugliano 26-27 away shirt delivers an ornate design inspired by local classical architecture. Set on an off-white base, the jersey showcases subtle fresco-style illustrations in warm sand tones, highlighted by classical columns, intricate motifs, and the Roman numerals MCMXXVIII honoring the club's founding year of 1928. Matching sand-colored trim on the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs rounds off the look.
Austria Lustenau Release Special-Edition 26-27 "Vintage" Kit
Austrian club SC Austria Lustenau has unveiled a special-edition jersey, dubbed the "Vintage" kit, created in collaboration with Italian brand Erreà. The limited-edition shirt was launched for the friendly match against German giants FC Schalke 04 at the Sun Minimeal Arena.
The Erreà Austria Lustenau 26-27 "Vintage" jersey comes in an off-white cream base adorned with a subtle all-over floral damask pattern. It is complemented by a dark green polo collar with dual gold pinstripes, an aesthetic echoed on the matching ribbed sleeve cuffs. To complete the clean retro look, the club crest, Erreà chest logo, and Sun Minimeal front sponsor are all rendered in monochrome dark green.
On the back, the retro styling continues with an elegant serif typeface in green for the player names and squad numbers. The release represents another custom design from Erreà in their first season outfitting the Austrian side, after taking over the club's technical contract ahead of the 26-27 campaign.
Betting Ban: Brazilian Club Vila Nova Announce BYD Main Shirt Sponsor Deal
Brazilian club Vila Nova FC has officially announced Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD as its new primary front-of-shirt sponsor. Described by the club as the largest commercial partnership in its history, the agreement places the BYD logo prominently on the chest of the team's Volt Sport kits through the end of 2026, with an option to extend into 2027.
The sponsorship is executed in collaboration with Saga, an authorized dealership network representing BYD in Brazil, whose small logo appears directly underneath the main BYD mark. The automotive manufacturer replaces previous shirt sponsor Bet da Sorte, following a wave of regulatory restrictions on betting companies operating in Brazilian football.
Currently fighting at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B table and chasing promotion to the top flight, Vila Nova is set to debut the redesigned shirts immediately. The landmark agreement secures vital financial stability for the club's promotion push while expanding BYD's growing footprint across South American football.
