Speaking at an event yesterday, Under Armour’s top man revealed his dream of one day making the famous Three Lions strip for the England National team.
Under Armour top-dog Kevin Plank – one of the most successful sport-sector entrepreneur’s in recent memory
Plank made his fortune by providing the first field-sports-specific baselayers, after admitting he was sick of changing out of sweat-soaked t-shirts after a game.
But successful kit deals with the likes of Hannover 96, Estudiantes Tecos and the Welsh National Rugby Team, Plank admits it’d be a dream to get to see players walk out at Wembley in an Under Armour shirt, not just his baselayers and football boots.
Asked if he would want to sponsor the England team’s kit Plank said: “It would be great – who do I talk to!?
“I know they have had a long-standing relationship with Umbro, but we are in a position to be a little more aggressive towards the approach and the way we see our opportunities in the UK.
“We believe we can be successful here, we have a different set of resources now our turnover is approaching $1billion and when we find the right assets and teams, we will make some big events.
“Our goal is to be a global business which would mean more than half our business comes from outside our home country.
“We are planting seeds and you are seeing us make bigger and more aggressive investments.”
Under Armour entered into the world of football boots less than 18 months ago!
But Plank admits it will be tough to win FA approval to make the next new England kit:
He added: “It normally works with who writes the biggest cheque but it is also about who has the best relationship so we are trying to understand the culture.”
Would you like to see the a change away from Umbro for the England Strip?
It’s unlikely that Nike would oust Umbro from the famous shirt, as it would damage the income they get from the Manchester-based brand, so someone like adidas, Puma or even Under Armour would be potential replacements.
Umbro have been making England Kit as far back 1954, and it’d seem strange to see another brand on the kit – we reckon Under Armour should stick to gaining a reputation for quality football boots before they try anything this ambitious!
Though that wouldn’t happen for quite some time, as Umbro has an agreement with the FA until 2018.
Id love to see umbro replaced on england shirts, but cant see that under armour have the strength to do it.umbro need the england shirt, without it they are nothing.
love to see it happen as umbro have been doing nothing but annyoying people with the unessecary england kit (or should i say, Kit’S) latley.
Personally I think the England’s image is directly proportional to Umbro. Without the Umbro logo the shirt would look different. Which is not to say that a change wouldn’t be welcome, but UA isnt the right brand for one of the most recoqnized kits out there. Considering that Nike owns Umbro then the ideal choice would be having the Nike swoosh on the chest. Out of personal preference I would love to see the Three Lions in partnership with the Three Stripes ^^
Regardless as aformentioned, I do not think the UA has any chance of stealing this away from Umbro, and IF Umbro falls through they have to combat Adidas and Nike and possible Nike.
Good for UA trying to get into the scene though, shows initiative to try and fight pound for pound against the heavy hitters.
Heres to UA’s success over the next years, hoping that they reach the goals that they set out to acheive,
Cheers
Personally I think the England’s image is directly proportional to Umbro. Without the Umbro logo the shirt would look different. Which is not to say that a change wouldn’t be welcome, but UA isnt the right brand for one of the most recoqnized kits out there. Considering that Nike owns Umbro then the ideal choice would be having the Nike swoosh on the chest. Out of personal preference I would love to see the Three Lions in partnership with the Three Stripes ^^
Regardless as aformentioned, I do not think the UA has any chance of stealing this away from Umbro, and IF Umbro falls through they have to combat Adidas and Nike and possibly Puma.**
Good for UA trying to get into the scene though, shows initiative to try and fight pound for pound against the heavy hitters.
Heres to UA’s success over the next years, hoping that they reach the goals that they set out to acheive,
Cheers
Umbro have not exclusively made England’s kit since 1954, Admiral made the kit in the 70’s and early eighties. The FA should look to put money back into UK economy and seek a UK supplier even if its Pro-Star like the schoolboys
as much as i hate umbro’s couple of last moves, but i think three lions should stick with umbro.
as brazil should stick with nike and german should stick with adidas.
but UA made great boots. they should try endorsing other countries who doesn’t have (too) long history with their sponsors 🙂
It is really difficult to imagine the England shirt without the Umbro logo on it. It just wouldn’t be the same.And if it happens, it’d take a time for everyone to get used to it. The connection between the brand and the shirt is a plus, something special.National proud maybe. I think the same happens with adidas and the Germany shirt.I disagree with channo about Brazil and Nike though. Perhaps with the USA shirt but that is another story.
Still, it is nice to see brands like UA trying to make important moves and at the end… who knows,right?
As long as there is football on earth…England will be sponsored by Umbro…Germany by adidas…USA by Nike…it is all about national pride as brian said
Totally agree with Brian and Crampo, has to be an English make for the England team’s kit. So you could go back to Admiral, or use Reebok, Prostar, JJB etc. The best thing about the current England shirt, is that not only does it look great on the players, it is made in our fair land as well.
I agree with the person who said about a truly English brand, like Pro-Star, especially as Umbro is Nike now!
What other English brands are there, Vandanel, Pendle? that’d be different, the shirts would be quality & it would be a real shot in the arm for winner
do people no, nike own umbro, so one day we might walk out in a nike kit, and how many top pro’s ware nike that play for england?, unbro was great gear untill sports direct got hold of it and killed the brand,