Kit deals with manufacturers are a huge thing in not just club football, but international football too.
The deals are not just lucrative for the club, but the manufacturer as well, who earn a healthy commission on every jersey sold.
This is why major sports manufacturers like Adidas, Nike, Under Armour, Puma and the like battle it out with offers to top clubs around the globe.
Real Madrid and Adidas have the most expensive deal at £110 Million/year for 10 years. Nike’s biggest deal is with Barcelona at £100 Million/year for 10 years.
In the Premier League, Liverpool’s partnership with Nike is valued the highest at £75 Million/year.
Given the eye-watering money that is involved and what is at stake, it is understandable that sportswear heavyweights try to secure the best deals with teams as early as possible and not get into a bidding war.
This is why AS Roma and Adidas have allegedly already joined hands, given that Roma’s current deal with New Balance is nearing expiry.
The sportswear giant previously made kits for the club in the early 90s and produced some classics.
The new deal with the German manufacturers will put Roma as the second highest earners in the league, only behind Juventus.
Adidas also sponsor Jose Mourinho, Roma’s manager.
The link is too big to ignore and the manager is being credited with securing this deal for the club.
As is always the case before any jersey launch, designers have had a go at designing their own versions of how the new Adidas X Roma kit could look like.
One particular concept that has attracted a few eyeballs is by ic_Kits.
This kit is inspired by the Pantheon in the city, which is a former Roman temple and now a Catholic church.
It is one of the most preserved monuments of ancient Rome and consequently, something that the city cherishes and protects.
The roof of the pantheon is an eye-catching structure with its block-like design.
Unsurprisingly, this is not the first kit to take inspiration from this church.
Nike’s training wear for Roma’s 20/21 season had a similar block-like structure and was appreciated by many.
Fans appreciate it when manufacturers don’t just make a kit for the looks and beauty but actually understand the culture of the club and the city.
It makes the club closer to its community and, needless to say, boost shirt sales.
Adidas have done a great job with the World Cup kits for the upcoming tournament in Qatar and I Giallorossi would be hoping that they carry on with that.
