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Nike offloads Umbro brand in £140million deal ... to Mike Ashley?


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Nike has confirmed it will offload Umbro to Iconix Brand Group in a $220m (£137m) deal designed at slimming down its assets.

As revealed by Sportsmail two weeks ago, the once-proud kit supplier to England and a host of leading clubs will be sold off after four years under Nike's banner.

Nike announced five months ago that Umbro would be sold, but Iconix was confirmed as the buyer only on Wednesday.

Iconix could lease the Umbro name to Mike Ashley's Sports Direct.

Umbro has already been stripped of its biggest sponsorship agreements, including England and Manchester City, whose kit will be supplied by Nike from next year.

Umbro now supplies kit for just three English clubs - Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town and Blackburn Rovers.

Mark Parker, Nike's chief executive, said in a statement: 'It is a difficult decision to divest any business, but this action will enable us to focus on our highest-potential opportunities.

'Umbro has a great heritage, but ultimately, as our category strategy has evolved, we believe Nike Football can serve the needs of footballers on and off the pitch.'

Nike announced the purchase of Umbro in October 2007 and completed it the following year for $582m (£363m).

However, Umbro's revenue declined by 19 per cent after being swallowed by the competition between Nike and Adidas to supply the world's leading club.

Neal Cole, chief executive of Iconix, said: 'Umbro is a true, authentic football brand with a global loyal consumer fan base and we are thrilled to be adding it to our portfolio of iconic brands.

'Umbro is an exciting acquisition with more than 30 licensees in over 100 countries with a devout following.

'We look forward to working with our international partners to maintain and expand upon the rich heritage of Umbro.'

http://www.dailymail...-140m-deal.html

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No mention of losing us then.

I'd love us to bring out a new Orange strip and show every single sports kit manufacturer just what they actually missed out on (except the new one to sponsor us, whether that's adidas, warrior or the other rubbish one in the mix).

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umbro is the original football kit manufacturer, and has made some stunning strips.

adidas is gash.

These are two of my favourite Rangers tops, so take that "Adidas is gash" shit elsewhere

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There's always Puma. They sponsor Mike Ashleys team and last season they had an Orange away kit :thumbup:

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These are two of my favourite Rangers tops, so take that "Adidas is gash" shit elsewhere

11887-product.jpg

editedallymccoistpicnp2.jpg

There's always Puma. They sponsor Mike Ashleys team and last season they had an Orange away kit :thumbup:

modern adidas kits are gash.

those two kits are absolute fucking blinders! i still own the second one!

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