EPL club Manchester United is "set to announce a world-record kit deal" with Nike that is worth more than $1B (all figures U.S.) over 10 years, according to Simon Mullock of the London DAILY MIRROR. The deal proves the club is "still the biggest name in world football." The $1B figure is "almost double the current best kit manufacturing deal," which sees La Liga club Real Madrid earn $51.6M annually from its arrangement with adidas. ManU currently has a deal with Nike worth $39.1M annually, but that 13-year agreement "expires next year." Puma, Warrior and adidas "all emerged to challenge Nike." Meanwhile, ManU's $58.2M-a-year short sponsorship deal with Chevrolet is "set to kick in next season" (London DAILY MIRROR, 3/9).
NEW KIT LEAKED? In London, Charles Perrin noted social media was "awash with speculation" after a leaked image of a ManU kit "embossed with the club's sponsor Chevrolet popped up on Twitter." The strip "has a black zip which comes down from the collar and the sleeves have a black trim too." It "remains to be seen whether or not this is the genuine article as it has a club tag attached to it" (EXPRESS.co.uk, 3/8).
