Liverpool has agreed a new £80million per year shirt kit deal with Nike that will see them eclipse Manchester United’s huge £75m contract with Adidas.
However, New Balance is desperate to continue as kit suppliers and claim they have a clause to match Nike’s offer and stay on past May 2020.
Liverpool’s current deal with New Balance sees them pocket £45m-a-year and the new deal will significantly increase their revenues.
Liverpool informed New Balance that they were looking elsewhere due to their improved stature in the game following two successful seasons under Jurgen Klopp.
A Liverpool spokesman told The Athletic: ‘We can confirm that our kit supplier, New Balance, has commenced a legal dispute against the club. We will not be making any further comment during these legal proceedings.’
While New Balance reportedly claimed that they would match Nike’s offer, Liverpool believes their current suppliers wouldn’t be able to match Nike’s global distribution network.
A statement from New Balance read: ‘New Balance is proud to be the official kit sponsor of Liverpool Football Club. Since 2011, when we entered into a record-breaking sponsorship with the club, we have delivered two of the biggest selling home kits for Liverpool fans and we continue to match the ambition and achievements of the club as it grows from strength to strength.
‘As a long-standing and committed sponsor, we are keen to continue our strong partnership with Liverpool Football Club and renew our agreement in 2020. In line with our current contract, we have matched the offer made by Nike.
‘As part of the contract renewal process, LFC has called into question elements of the agreement and as such we are asking the courts for clarity on this case. Both we and the club are keen to resolve any contractual challenges as quickly as possible and have agreed to an expedited process in the courts.
‘New Balance is eager and confident to maintain its sponsorship of Liverpool Football Club and we look forward to continuing our record of success as LFC’s playing kit provider.’
Kit deals have recently become a way of bringing in a lot of revenue.
Manchester City currently holds the second-biggest kit deal which is worth £65million-a-year with Puma, London’s top three clubs follow closely behind Arsenal and Chelsea boast the biggest kit deals in London, with the clubs holding deals worth £60million-a-year with Nike and Adidas respectively.
