Nike vs New Balance Liverpool Kit Court Battle Has Begun - Nike Already Spent $6 Million On Next Season's Liverpool Kits
Oct 19, 2019, by Chris
Some weeks ago, we reported that New Balance has taken Nike to court over the possible new Nike kit deal with Premier League giants Liverpool. Now on Friday the clash between corporate giants has begun at the High Court in London - and New Balance is desperately try to cling on to their kit deal with Liverpool.
Nike vs New Balance Liverpool High Court London Kit Battle
New Balance believes the club disregarded its 'matching offer rights' following a bid from sporting goods rival Nike for the period from the 2020-2021 season.
New Balance is challenging the club’s decision not to renew its £45m per year kit deal. New Balance. In the last two seasons Liverpool FC had the two highest-selling jerseys in club history.
The court battle between Nike and New Balance is all about which brand does offer Liverpool FC the better deal - this does not only include the pure money a company is paying to the club but also the other parts of the agreement such as how many stores a brand has worldwide and which products a brand can offer.
Mr Justice Teare has just asked what sport Georginio Wijnaldum plays. #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) October 18, 2019
In fact, there even were laughter in court after a replica Liverpool FC kit was hold up. Guy Morpuss QC, representing the Reds, displayed the club’s “iconic” home shirt as he discussed distribution around the world.
Mr Justice Teare, presiding over the case, asked if the kit changes every season. Mr Morpuss replied: "It does but it stays red, my Lord”. And he added that "it won’t have New Balance on”, to chuckles in court.
Nike and Liverpool FC believe that their new deal would “super-charge” distribution of Reds products around the world.
Daniel Oudkerk QC, for New Balance, was the first to outline his side's position. Mr Oudkerk said the company had the right to match any offer from a third party.
He said: “The club had an offer in June 2019. The club initially refused to disclose the terms of the offer to New Balance. It’s perfectly clear New Balance were entitled to see the terms of the offer...and the parties were happy to continue the terms of their relationship.”
Mr Oudkerk says New Balance insisted on seeing the offer, and then agreed to match the “Material, Measurable, and Matchable” terms apparently on the table from Nike. He moved on to discuss "the way the club deals with distribution and good faith" and said the question is "whether New Balance can match" the other offer.
Mr Oudkerk said any damages paid by Liverpool would not remedy the potential loss of the contract for New Balance. He also argued that New Balance had delivered record-breaking sales of Liverpool kits and sought to dismiss the idea distribution terms offered by Nike could not be met by New Balance.
Mr Oudkerk said that New Balance's promise to match Nike's apparent '6,000 doors' [shops where LFC items are sold] over the next five years is genuine, and now for the first time distribution will be written into the contract.
Mr Morpuss, representing Liverpool, then addressed court to outline the club's position.
He said: "This action is really an attempt by New Balance to use a matching clause for a purpose for which it was never intended. My friend trots out the figure of 40,000 stores. It is utterly fanciful to say that New Balance could get things into anywhere close to 40,000 stores.”
Mr Morpuss also told the court: "[New Balance] have a record of telling Liverpool things that were wrong. They gave figures of the number of doors that were grossly overstated."
In the court battle is also emerged that "Nike has already spent nearly $6m on next season’s kit."
The case opened on Friday and is listed for two further days on Monday and Tuesday next week.
Image via Phil Delves
Who do you think will win the battle? Do you think that Nike will make Liverpool's kits in the 2020-2021 season? Let us know in the comments below.
Champions League 'Debut' Sleeve Patches Make On-Pitch Debut
The brand-new UEFA Champions League 'Debut' sleeve patch made its official on-pitch appearance during Matchday 1 of the 26-27 season. Introduced through a collaboration between UEFA, UC3, and Topps (Fanatics Collectibles), the initiative is designed to highlight and celebrate players making their first-ever career appearance in Europe's premier club competition.
The special badge adds a curved blue emblem featuring the word 'DEBUT' integrated into the bottom of the iconic Champions League Starball sleeve badge, including the club badge of honour editions. The patch is strictly awarded for active on-pitch participation, meaning only starting players and substituted debutants wear it. Unused substitutes on the bench do not qualify until they physically step onto the pitch, and a player can only wear the debut badge once in their entire career.
The badge also bridges the gap between matchday kit and football memorabilia. Following the match, the blue 'DEBUT' element is removed from the player's match-worn jersey, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, and delivered to Topps. It will then be permanently embedded into a unique 1-of-1 autographed trading card for upcoming Topps collections, while the underlying badge remains visible on the shirt so the player can retain their jersey as a personal memento.
Next-Gen Puma Future 10 Prototype Spotted - Netfit Return?
Chelsea star and key Puma athlete Morgan Rogers has been spotted testing an intriguing all-white prototype during training, providing the first clear look at what is expected to be the next-generation Puma Future 10 football boots.
The most striking detail of the blackout/whiteout boot is a completely overhauled upper construction. Shifting away from the FUZIONFIT systems that defined recent iterations including the Future 9, the prototype features a distinct honeycomb-patterned structure. This textured webbing strongly recalls Puma's original Netfit concept from early Future models, hinting at a revived or modernized take on fully customizable lockdown and dynamic fit.
Along with the revamped upper, the boots appear to feature a low-profile knit collar and a lightweight soleplate tailored for agility and sharp turns. With top endorsers like Rogers already putting prototypes through their paces, the next-gen Puma Future 10 is expected to debut in late 2026 or early 2027 during the 26-27 season.
Adidas Club América 110th Anniversary Collection Leaked
Images of the upcoming Adidas Originals Club América 110th anniversary lifestyle collection have surfaced online. The capsule celebrates the historic Mexican side's 110th birthday since its foundation on October 12, 1916, and is set to accompany a special commemorative 26-27 retro shirt. Thanks to @KamilBerberler.
The lifestyle collection features a track jacket, matching track pants, and a casual t-shirt, all built on a royal blue base with soft pale yellow detailing. Each piece carries the classic Adidas Trefoil logo opposite a vintage circular "CA" badge inspired by the club's earliest years. The track jacket features contrasting three stripes running down the sleeves, a tall ribbed collar, and a special anniversary label reading "1916-2026 CLUB AMÉRICA" alongside the club and brand crests.
This heritage range is designed to complement the upcoming 110th anniversary retro jersey, which takes cues from the club's iconic 1970s looks with a pale cream base and navy accents. The full collection is scheduled to launch around October 2026 to coincide with Las Águilas' official anniversary date.
Paris Saint-Germain Drops the FIFA Intercontinental Badge?
Since the start of the 26-27 season, the FIFA Intercontinental badge has completely vanished from PSG's shirts, from the UEFA Super Cup to the UEFA Champions League.
This is likely due to PSG's home kit design featuring a vertical logo layout, making it almost impossible to add another badge while maintaining a balanced look. To preserve the shirt's aesthetic, PSG decided to omit the badge altogether.
Goalkeeper Safonov's kit, despite having enough room for the FIFA Intercontinental badge, was also left blank to remain consistent with his outfield teammates.
Thanks to What The Kit for the interest spotting and the collage.
French Amateur Club Aiguilhe FC Unveils Classy Pinstripe Kit With Vintage Photoshoot
French grassroots side Aiguilhe Football Club have caught the eye of kit enthusiasts after revealing their new strip for the 26-27 campaign through a charming, vintage-inspired lifestyle photoshoot. Founded in 2003 and competing in the regional leagues of Haute-Loire, the amateur club bypassed the usual teamwear presentation in favor of an artfully directed campaign celebrating their local community across generations.
Manufactured by Adidas, the jersey is built around a deep maroon base elevated by delicate white vertical pinstripes running down the front. Crisp white accents appear on the shoulder stripes, the Adidas logo, and local sponsor Inter Sport on the chest. The reverse showcases retro-styled squad numbering below arched Aiguilhe FC lettering, completing a clean and cohesive design.
The launch photoshoot places the kit in pastoral and domestic French settings, featuring elderly club figures and players beside antique furniture, a countryside picnic, and a classic upright piano. The thoughtful presentation proves that lower-tier amateur teams can rival professional clubs when it comes to storytelling and visual identity.
Sydney FC 26-27 Home Kit Released
Sydney FC and Under Armour have officially unveiled the club's new home and goalkeeper kits for the 26-27 A-League campaign. Drawing inspiration from Sydney's land, sea, and sky, the fresh design blends the club's traditional look with contemporary detailing celebrating their heritage.
The Sydney FC 26-27 home jersey features a sky blue base covered in an abstract textured pattern. Navy blue finishes the crew-neck collar and the sleeve cuffs, which also incorporate a thin orange stripe along the edge. This subtle accent marks the first time orange has been featured on the exterior of Sydney FC's playing shirt since 2009, referencing the club's original colors. Dark navy is also used for the Under Armour logo, the club crest, and Macquarie University's front-of-shirt sponsorship.
Alongside the home strip, Sydney FC also presented their new goalkeeper jersey, which takes on a vibrant orange base with a matching tonal pattern and navy branding. The new 26-27 kits are now available through the club's official web store.
No More Umbro: Adidas Al Ittihad Club Tripoli 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Libyan Premier League giants Al-Ittihad SC have officially presented their new kits for the 26-27 season, marking a return to Adidas. The Tripoli-based powerhouse, who are the most successful club in Libyan football history, previously wore the three stripes during earlier eras before a recent spell with Umbro.
The Adidas Al-Ittihad 26-27 home shirt arrives in the club's traditional red, finished with a subtle geometric knit pattern across the front, white collar trim, and white Adidas shoulder stripes. The away jersey mirrors the same template in royal blue with contrasting white detailing, while a clean white kit completes the outfield and goalkeeper lineup. All jerseys feature sponsor branding alongside customized player numbering that incorporates the club crest at the base.
What do you think of Al-Ittihad's new 26-27 shirts by Adidas? Let us know in the comments below.
AS Roma to Wear Special 'Together for Nepal' Shirt Sponsor in Champions League Match
AS Roma will take the pitch with a special one-off shirt sponsor for their UEFA Champions League fixture against Fenerbahce in Istanbul. Instead of their regular primary partner Eurobet.live, the Giallorossi's home kit features the United Nations World Food Programme logo alongside the message "Together for Nepal" and the flag of Nepal across the chest.
The adjustment is required due to strict advertising regulations in Turkey that prohibit gambling and betting brands. Rather than taking to the field with a blank shirt, Roma collaborated with WFP to spotlight the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Nepal, where devastating floods and landslides have left approximately 43,000 people in need of urgent relief.
Following the match, the 26-27 match-worn jerseys will be auctioned off, with all proceeds directed to the World Food Programme's emergency operations. Supporters are also able to contribute directly through a dedicated challenge within the UN's ShareTheMeal app.
Manchester United Add Foundation Logo to 26-27 Champions League Kits
Manchester United have announced that the Manchester United Foundation logo will feature on the back of their shirts throughout the 26-27 UEFA Champions League campaign, marking the first time the charity's branding has appeared on the club's European kits. Positioned on the lower back beneath the squad numbers, the logo is used across the home, away, and third kits in European competition and is also available for fans to add to replica shirts at the Old Trafford Megastore, with net proceeds directly supporting the Foundation's youth and community programmes across Greater Manchester.
Arsenal Wear Rare All-Red Kit Against Napoli
Arsenal took the pitch in a rare all-red kit combination for their 26-27 UEFA Champions League opener against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Mikel Arteta's side paired their regular home shirt with alternative red shorts and red socks, creating a striking monochrome lower half below the shirt's traditional white sleeves.
The uniform change was enforced due to UEFA's strict regulations regarding kit clashes. With Napoli wearing their standard home ensemble featuring white shorts, Arsenal were unable to use their primary white home shorts. Rather than switching to an away or third kit, the club utilized their alternative red shorts designed specifically for such color-conflict scenarios.
This marked the first time the Arsenal senior men's team had worn the all-red look since a Premier League trip to Watford in March 2022. Interestingly, the Gunners also donned an all-red setup at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona during a Europa League quarter-final clash against Napoli back in 2019. The combination proved to be a good omen once again, as Arsenal claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to a second-half goal from Martin Ødegaard.
Hellas Verona 26-27 Third Kit Released
Hellas Verona and Joma have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Unveiled under the campaign slogan "Custodi della Storia" (Guardians of History), the jersey celebrates the historical monuments and cultural heritage of the city of Verona.
The Joma Hellas Verona 26-27 third shirt introduces an elegant white base highlighted by an embossed vertical band pattern on the front. This textured detailing reinterprets the ornate gothic ironwork and ornamental shapes of the Arche Scaligere, one of Verona's most famous historic sites. Refined gold accents complete the design, applied to the V-neck collar, sleeve cuffs, Joma branding, and a monochrome edition of the club crest.
Several bespoke elements are worked into the collar construction, including the club's founding year "1903" on the front insert, the phrase "We Are Hellas" printed inside the neck, and the traditional motto "Dai Verona" on the upper back. Matching white shorts and socks with gold detailing round off the full 26-27 third strip.
Most Lucrative Premier League 26-27 Sleeve Sponsorship Deals: Manchester United Top List
Manchester United have claimed the top spot in the Premier League sleeve sponsorship rankings for the 26-27 season following their multi-year agreement with global fintech firm SumUp. Worth a record-breaking £22 million per season, the partnership surpasses United's previous £20 million annual contract with DXC Technology. The SumUp branding will appear across the playing kits of the men's, women's, and academy sides in all competitions. Big thanks to @Lu_Class_.
The new agreement pushes Manchester United ahead of neighbors Manchester City, whose sleeve deal with cryptocurrency exchange OKX brings in £20 million per year. Arsenal follow closely in third place after securing an £18 million-a-year contract with payroll and HR platform Deel. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur both collect £15 million annually from their respective partnerships with Expedia and Kraken.
Further down the table, Newcastle United sit on £7.5 million per season with Noon, while Everton and Aston Villa generate £6 million annually from Stake and Betano. Chelsea remain the only notable high-profile side yet to announce a primary sleeve sponsor for the 26-27 campaign.