The Black Cat wrote:
Salford Red All Over may be able give an insight on that?
Hmmm tough one especially as I'm now somewhat "out of the loop" but I'll say this first and foremost I know Adidas (UK) couldn't give a xxxx about Rugby League, whether that is down to the tiny sales volume or the fact the head of sports marketing is a former Leicester Tigers captain.
Merchandise/replica has changed massively over the last few years, certainly where adidas are concerned they now go for a partnership kind of thing whereas in the past they paid big money to be "official club sponsor" these partnerships (for want of a better word) are basically where "the brand" becomes official kit supplier or in other words no sponsorship exchanges hands and the club basically becomes retailer for the wholesaler. makes commercial and economic sense. Adidas's first venture was Derby County but now there are loads throughout the divisions including off the top of my head Stoke Sunderland and Swansea in the premier League. Before anyone says Chelsea they don't count as they receive vast amounts of money to wear adidas Ala Real Madrid Bayern Munich Ajax Benfica International clubs Etc.
Just to point out in simple terms adidas's non interest in RL. Last year they dropped Liverpool FC as the return on there investment was no longer "acceptable" as a result LFC now wear an American brand (Warrior) probably down to the owners Fenway but no longer worthy of Adidas's sponsorship.
Adidas's most recent RL involment was Wigan some eight to ten years back. but even that was down to getting their name splashed across one of the stands at the then JJB. There current involment is in RU and is the highly publicised British and Irish Lions touring side a deal going back to at least S.A. 1997.
So it's safe to say I don't see them sending a couple of boxes from Trafford park to Barton via the far east.
In response to Gaz's post I guess the benefits of a Kooga/Kukri/ISC type deal are dependent on the sales volumes they expect as opposed to a sporting giants expectations. As for the trade deal it would become an "Account" a bit like an independant sports shop, the only down side of that is the sports shop orders from the available catalouge of seasonal manufactured goods and Salfords would be "bespoke" requiring design, marketing, account manager, supply, and all the associated logistical/shipping involved.
A non runner and maybe "Impossibe is
something"