Re: 2019 Kits : Tue Nov 27, 2018 1:31 pm
Bull Mania wrote:
O/T but interesting to see the England netball team have signed a deal with Nike. How can netball attract Nike and all we can atttact is an Aussie company in ISC who are pretty unknown globally. I think the biggest one involved in RL is Kappa (who we're rumoured to be with) but it's not exactly Nike, Umbro, Adidas etc. I think Puma sponsoring England 10 years a go was last time a global sports brand was involved in the sport. For a club, i think it was Wigan with Nike 20 years a go. Do you reckon anyone even goes to these companies to make them an offer?
First of all Nike do not give a stuff about Rugby League. Nor do Adidas and the licensee of Puma, Genesis, might care if someone that sells more than 5000 replica became available such as Wigan/Warrington however other than that they are not that bothered.
Apart from the fact they do not care about RL they only supply bespoke/sublimated to very high level Football clubs such as Man Utd and Chelsea meaning clubs would have to choose from a couple of brochure Rugby Union shirts and print on all of their sponsors etc.
ISC, XBlades, Oneills, errea etc are all geared up for manufacturing their own kit and teamwear which provides clubs with a far more personal service which is actually perfect for the demands of RL. Try asking a Union Club or University who wear Canterbury or Kukri about the horrors of waiting 16/18 weeks for those brands as they don't own their own factory meaning they are always late delivery. ALWAYS!! This is why those 4 brands dominate UK Rugby League.
As for Kappa it is not 'Kappa' doing the deal, it is a UK licensee called SFD Finance or something. Any deal is financed by the UK licensee and manufactured in France at a Kappa approved factory but nothing to do with the brand direct.
Bradford wanted a ridiculous deal, especially considering at the time they were in League One, so it will either be ISC retaining or Kappa who have paid it. I cannot see another brand wanting to pay that sort of money when they already have the UK's leading clubs under contract.
