Umbro to be bought by Nike

whiskeyman

Wonder how the FAI deal will be affected.
Very much what Adidas did with Reebok, I'd imagine Nike will want to bring the swoosh brand to as many of the top profile soccer clubs in it's ever bitter fight with Adidas.
I wonder if the Umbro brand will be around much longer. It really didn't seem to have any 'character'.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7057577.stm

BBC wrote:

Nike to buy Umbro in £285m deal

Recent England kit sales have been disappointing
Umbro, the maker of the England football team's kit, has agreed to be bought by US sportswear giant Nike in a deal worth £285m ($580m).
Nike said the deal would allow it to "significantly expand" its presence in "a key growth category" for the firm.

As well as providing kit for the England team, Umbro also supplies the kit for six Premier League clubs.

The Football Association said Nike had assured it that the FA's relationship with Umbro would be protected.

Manchester-based Umbro said last month that sales of England tops had been "disappointing", and analysts are concerned that sales could suffer if England fail to qualify for next year's European Championship.

Defensive moves

Speculation had been rising that Nike was set to launch a bid after Umbro said last week that it had received an approach about a possible offer.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS WITH UMBRO KIT
Birmingham
Blackburn
Everton
Sunderland
West Ham
Wigan

On Friday, retailer JJB Sports bought a 10.1% stake in Umbro in a move to protect its stake in the market for England football shirts.

The owner of rival retailer Sports World, Sports Direct International, already owns a 15% stake in Umbro.

In addition to the England team, Umbro also provides kit for the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, and Sweden.

In the Scottish Premier League, Umbro supplies kit to Rangers and Hearts.

Under the terms of the offer, Umbro shareholders will receive 193.06p for each share. Umbro's shares closed up 25.25p, or 15.3%, at 190.25p.

The chief executive of Umbro, Steve Makin, said the offer was an "excellent deal" for shareholders.

"We will be a stronger and better business as part of Nike and this deal will allow us to accelerate our existing growth strategy by leveraging Nike's global resources and expertise," he added.

Brian Barwick, the chief executive of the FA, said: "We are delighted that the proposed acquisition will allow us to continue our strong historical relationship with Umbro while benefiting from the marketing expertise and financial strength of Nike."

"Nike has provided firm assurances that the FA relationship with Umbro will be protected and enhanced, and we look forward to working closely with both companies moving forward," Mr Barwick added.

'World class brand'

Nike began moving into football in the early 1990s and has been steadily expanding its share of the market, catching up with German rival Adidas.

"There is an ongoing battle between Nike and Adidas to sign up the very top teams," said Nigel Currie, director at sports brand experts Brand Rapport.

"From a marketability point of view, the Nike brand is very appealing to top clubs and international federations," he added.

In its offer document, Nike said Umbro was "a world-class, authentic football brand, with well established positions in key growth markets and a deep football heritage".

"As such, Umbro is highly complementary to Nike's existing football business and it is intended that it will operate as an independent, UK headquartered Nike affiliate," the US firm said.

From a more business perspective:
http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-news/item.do?newsId=52158082942037

Xavi6

Personally I'd be very disappointed to lose umbreo. It's been a bit of an institution in the footballing world. All my first City gear was umbro.

In the mid 90s they were the big guns in the Premiership with City, United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Everton just some of the teams they supplied. I thought they were making a comeback this season with the acquisition of new teams but looks like they're on the way out

Fratton Fred

Umbro is the only brand that I would say is a football brand, rather than just any old sports wear.

Mind you, if they had brought out home and away England shirts that didn't look exactly the same as the previous ones, then try and sell it for a stupidly high price, they may have shifted a few more, so i have no sympathy for them.

leninbenjamin

aye it'll be disappointing I suppose to see the brand die. my first set of boots with them blades were umbro, i used to love them. in recent years though, their design has become sterile, and very uninspiring, i hate this seasons generic design for some of the club jerseys.

zAbbo

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Umbro is the only brand that I would say is a football brand, rather than just any old sports wear.

Mitre?

d22ontour

So now Umbro sportswear will have €100+ price-tags too ?

Fratton Fred

zabbo wrote: »

Mitre?

do they do anything other than balls?

Xavi6

Fratton Fred wrote: »

do they do anything other than balls?

They do boots as well at least. Mightn't be great boots but they still make them.

Fratton Fred

Xavi6 wrote: »

They do boots as well at least. Mightn't be great boots but they still make them.

If they make black boots, they must be great.

Who on earth thought it would be a good idea to start making football boots in Gold, Red, Silver...

IT'S WRONG. FOOTBALL BOOTS ARE BLACK:mad::D

Mossy Monk

€100 + price tags? What Nike jerseys cost that much?

dulpit

When adidas bought reebok didn't they change some of the clubs with reebok to adidas (Liverpool)? Left the smaller clubs with reebok (Man. City?)

Could they do the same with this? Like Sunderland stick with umbro, england switch to nike (and so on)

Xavi6

dulpit wrote: »

When adidas bought reebok didn't they change some of the clubs with reebok to adidas (Liverpool)? Left the smaller clubs with reebok (Man. City?)

Could they do the same with this? Like Sunderland stick with umbro, england switch to nike (and so on)

Not such a small club according to the Premiership table! The reason we were left as reebok was because our contract was expiring at the end of the following season and we weren't renewing it. Adidas didn't want us having the 'benefit' of their gear if we weren't hanging around. Nothing to do with the size of the club.

_blank_

Everyone knows City are a massive club.

Xavi6

DesF wrote: »

Everyone knows City are a massive club.

Thank you Des (though I hope that wasn't sarcasm!).

Also if adidas only choose the 'top' teams for their gear then why aren't Derby wearing reebok?

godtabh

Xavi6 wrote: »

Thank you Des (though I hope that wasn't sarcasm!).

Also if adidas only choose the 'top' teams for their gear then why aren't Derby wearing reebok?

I think it was pointed out already that teams not renewing contracts got left with old gear so maybe thats why Derby may have a few years left

Xavi6

kearnsr wrote: »

I think it was pointed out already that teams not renewing contracts got left with old gear so maybe thats why Derby may have a few years left

Yep I know, it was me who pointed it out. I was arguing the point that it didn't matter if the club was big or small for who wore adidas, hence the use of Derby.

godtabh

Xavi6 wrote: »

Yep I know, it was me who pointed it out. I was arguing the point that it didn't matter if the club was big or small for who wore adidas, hence the use of Derby.

Didnt notice it was you!

But since it was havent you already proved your point?

Is there any other teams that are RBK out there?

Out of interest though with boot deals does the same thing apply? Some very big name players were RBK boots and the same for Umbro (Clinton Morrison does!)

Xavi6

kearnsr wrote: »

Didnt notice it was you!

But since it was havent you already proved your point?

Is there any other teams that are RBK out there?

Out of interest though with boot deals does the same thing apply? Some very big name players were RBK boots and the same for Umbro (Clinton Morrison does!)

Never use them in the same sentence again please!

Shevchenko and Henry have recently joined reebok so things can't be that bad. Giggs is still with them too. umbro still have Owen, Deco, Terry etc on their books.

godtabh

Xavi6 wrote: »

Never use them in the same sentence again please!

Was just taking the piss!

Xavi6 wrote: »

Shevchenko and Henry have recently joined reebok so things can't be that bad. Giggs is still with them too. umbro still have Owen, Deco, Terry etc on their books

I could see some of Umbro's big name players switching to Nike espically if their club kits are Nike or Addidas (lots more exposure either way for Nike if the kit was addidas)

Nunu

Xavi6 wrote: »

They do boots as well at least. Mightn't be great boots but they still make them.

Umbro Speciali are the best boots I have ever bought.

Anyone else ever have them? Last time I was in Champion weeks ago they had the moulded version reduced. If they still have them I'm going to buy them in case they stop making them!
I've also had Nike Tiempo Premier, Diadora Attiva, Adidas Copa Mondial, Puma King and currently have Lotto Sheva Elite.
All quality boots but the 'Specialis' get 10 /10 for me.

_blank_

Xavi6 wrote: »

Thank you Des (though I hope that wasn't sarcasm!).

You lose.

I was being sarcastic I'm afraid.

Xavi6

DesF wrote: »

You lose.

I was being sarcastic I'm afraid.

:eek: We are a big club. Big fan base, good stadium, loads of money, great players. Admittedly trophies are required but we're working on that.

_blank_

I used the word "massive" for a reason.

Xavi6

DesF wrote: »

I used the word "massive" for a reason.

Point taken.

KdjaCL

Xavi6 wrote: »

:eek: We are a big club. Big fan base, good stadium, loads of money, great players. Admittedly trophies are required but we're working on that.

4 months ago you were 4 points from relegation :eek:

kdjac

godtabh

KdjaCL wrote: »

4 months ago you were 4 points from relegation :eek:

kdjac

10 games played in the season can have a big effect of peoples memories

Xavi6

kearnsr wrote: »

10 games played in the season can have a big effect of peoples memories

So can a lot of money and a fresh start.

KdjaCL wrote:

4 months ago you were 4 points from relegation

kdjac

Bit of pot and kettle there what with Pats having a sudden upturn in fortune recently thanks to an investment. But hey knock the progress and the fact that a team is making a go of it against the top four.

Parade p1ssers the pair of ye!

KdjaCL

Xavi6 wrote: »

So can a lot of money and a fresh start.



Bit of pot and kettle there what with Pats having a sudden upturn in fortune recently thanks to an investment. But hey knock the progress and the fact that a team is making a go of it against the top four.

Parade p1ssers the pair of ye!

I never said we a massive club with a great stadium and great players

How did SGEs last mega spending spree work out


kdjac

godtabh

KdjaCL wrote: »

How did SGEs last mega spending spree work out

He won the league with Lazio didnt he?

KdjaCL

kearnsr wrote: »

He won the league with Lazio didnt he?

And then???


kdjac

Drag00n79

Fratton Fred wrote: »

do they do anything other than balls?

I'm fairly sure they do this season's Ipswich kit. Not sure what other contracts they have.

Third_Echelon

Bolton as far as I know are the only reebok team this year. Man City switched to Le Coq Sportif.

Never liked the reebok football gear to be honest. They made some horrible shirts over the past 10 years or so..

Umbro on the other hand always made quality football gear. Being an Everton supporter, we've had them for donkey's years apart from 2 or 3 seasons in the early 2000's where we had Puma.

Umbro's gear this season is nice. Last year Everton were the only premiership club with Umbro, now there is:

Birmingham
Blackburn
Everton
Sunderland
West Ham
Wigan

Good to see Umbro making some sort of comeback. It will definitely be interesting to see which teams Nike pick off...