The top 10 most expensive kit deals in the Premier League.
As financial regulations threaten to force teams to maximise their revenue streams in a way never seen before, something so simple as organising a new kit is now big business. Every season teams chance their shirts ever so slightly in a bid to be able to justify charging £60 for their new variations every summer and below is a run down of which ten clubs have the most expensive kit deals in the Premier League this term.
10. Newcastle United
Manufacturer: Puma – 13 years
Sponsor: Wonga – one year ($10m)
Total per year: $10m
The Magpies caused controversy by adorning their shirts with Wonga, a payday loan company, and Papiss Cisse even refused to wear it due to religious and moral reasons. However, the loaners are paying Newcastle £10m to wear it this year.
9. Everton
Manufacturer: Umbro – five years ($10m)
Sponsor: Chang beer – One year ($8.85m)
Total per year: $10.85m
The Toffees have elected to return to a classic staple with Umbro, who have excelled themselves with a classy retro design. Sticking with Chang as a sponsor has also seen them rake in the £££’s.
8. Aston Villa
Manufacturer: Macron – Four years ($25m)
Sponsor: Dafabet – Two years ($16.5m)
Total per year: $14.5m
Italian company Macron have made Villa their top client and have shown this by creating a kit that nods back to their European Cup victory in 1982. However, Villa’s agreement with Dafabet expires at the end of the season.
7. Queens Park Rangers
Manufacturer: Nike – Five years ($75m)
Sponsor: AirAsia – One year ($4.1m)
Total per year: $19.1m
QPR are first year clients with Nike, and as such must choose their design from the company’s catalogue before moving on to a custom design next term.
6. Tottenham Hotspur
Manufacturer: Under Armour – Five years ($83.5m)
Sponsor: AIA – One year ($26.7m)
Total per year: $43.4m
Under Armour are looking to make a name for themselves on the Premier League kit scene and as such have paid handsomely to secure to rights to make Tottenham’s kit.
5. Manchester City
Manufacturer: Nike – Six years ($120m)
Sponsor: Etihad – One year ($33.4m)
Total per year: $54.3
City’s kit is made out of (an average of) 18 recycled plastic bottles, and their huge deal reflects their ever growing stature in the game now.
4. Liverpool
Manufacturer: Warrior – Six years ($250m)
Sponsor: Standard Chartered – One year ($33.4m)
Total per year: $75m
Warrior are in their second year of partnership with the Reds and have spent big in order to keep them on board. However, their designs have not proved popular with everyone and are regular fixtures on ‘ugliest kits’ lists.
3. Chelsea
Manufacturer: Adidas – Ten years ($500m)
Sponsor: Samsung – One year ($30m)
Total per year: $80m
The Blues sold close to one million shirts in 2013, and both Adidas and Samsung have realised the revenue potential by paying for the rights to partnership accordingly.
2. Arsenal
Manufacturer: Puma – Five years ($250m)
Sponsor: Fly Emirates – Five years ($250m)
Total per year: $100m
The Gunners were one of the few clubs that still changed their kit every other season, but under the new terms with Puma they are now obligated to change it every year instead.
1. Manchester United
Manufacturer: Nike – 13 years ($506m)
Sponsor: Chevrolet – Seven years ($490m)
Total per year: $108.9m
United’s long standing deal with Nike will come to an end at the end of the season with Adidas taking their place. That deal will be even more lucrative, earning the club a whopping $1.3 billion over the next ten seasons.