MUMBAI: English soccer club West Ham United and Adidas have announced a commercial partnership which sees the global sportswear giant become the club‘s official technical supplier from 1 June 2013. West Ham‘s technical partner for the past three years has been Macron.
Adidas returns to West Ham after nearly three decades. The new agreement will see Adidas produce the Hammers‘ team kit, replica kit, training wear and equipment for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons and will feature Adidas performance fabrics ClimaCool and ClimaLite technology, a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin and in key heat zones.
The team wore the company‘s strips for their best-ever league finish of third in 1986 and in the 1981 League Cup final.
The choice of Adidas also reflects the suggestions made by the club‘s supporter advisory board in discussions held about the Hammers‘ choice of technical partner.
West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady said, "We are delighted to team up with Adidas at such an exciting time in the club‘s history. They are an ideal partner due to their proven technical experience, innovation in product design and renowned quality of sportswear.
"The agreement with a world-famous sports brand provider is another signifier of our club‘s growing global standing. Adidas is a brand that West Ham United has a proud association with and we are looking forward to creating many more glorious memories playing in the famous three stripes," said Brady.
Adidas senior manager commercial clubs Steve Holland said, "To partner with West Ham United again, considering there has been such an iconic past relationship, meant that there was genuine excitement from both parties as we agreed the deal. Adidas is confident the Hammers fans will truly appreciate the quality and design of the new kits and extended ranges and we wish the club every continued success on pitch for the coming seasons."
As mentioned earlier West Ham‘s technical partner for the past three years has been Macron. The Italian sportswear company‘s CEO Gianluca Pavanello said the two would part on amicable terms.
Pavanello said, "Adidas will take over from Macron as the club‘s official technical partner. We would very much like to thank West Ham United FC, as we have very much enjoyed a great relationship with the West Ham family over these past three years, where we feel both brands have received international exposure."
