9
May

Arsenal sign most lucrative contract in British soccer with Puma

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Cha-ching! After the 2013-2014 season, Arsenal will begin an agreement with Puma to become the official kit sponsor for $46 million/year over five years. In contrast, they were receiving roughly $17 million/year with their current Nike agreement.

This ends a 20-year agreement with Nike, a 20-year run that includes a top 5 Premier League finish in every season but one. Manchester United and Manchester City are the only two remaining teams that will be represented by Nike in the Premier League moving forward.

5
May

RvP not switching numbers so fans don’t have to buy new kit

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Robin van Persie can do no wrong. He was recently given the offer to switch his jersey number and wear the #9 kit for Manchester United next season, but he has turned it down. Why?

He told the United Review:

“I don’t want to be harsh on the fans who have number 20 on their kit. I don’t want them to have to buy a new shirt.”

Kudos to RVP for thinking of the fans first!

15
Apr

Pope Francis expands jersey collection

Pope Francis is building up quite the collection of team kits. The self proclaimed soccer fan was presented a Spain jersey signed by the entire world cup winning team by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

During his most recent weekly general audience, a fan gave him a San Lorenzo jersey, his favorite soccer team from his native Buenos Aires.

Image via @itsbeben11

Not sure what is taking his home country of Argentina so long to send him over a jersey!

8
Apr

Barnsley forced to wear Crystal Palace away kits!

Before Saturday’s Championship tilt between Crystal Palace and Barnsley, referee Kevin Stroud decided that the visitor’s black and blue striped away kits, as well as their red home kits, were both too similar to Crystal Palace’s red and blue striped home uniforms.

The solution? Barnsley was forced to borrow Palace’s away kits!

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The game itself ended in a 0-0 draw, making Palace’s kit sponsors the only real winners!

5
Mar

When in doubt, talk about soccer, right?

That’s what this young man did when faced with a scary interview with actress Mila Kunis about her new movie — his first time interviewing ever. Talk about a daunting task!

When faced with the terrifying situation, Chris Stark reverted to talking about the one thing he knows best: His local soccer club, Watford. He invites Mila to come to a game with him, including a pre-game stop at Nando’s and getting her a jersey. Brilliant.

Oh, and even though Mila has never been to a soccer game, she mentions that she is planning on going to Brazil in 2014! Sounds like the star is a soccer fan in the making.

17
Feb

Oldham players told not to swap jerseys because they’re running out!

Sometimes, a story like this best shows the huge difference in resources between Premier League clubs and their minnow opponents in the FA Cup. On Saturday, Oldham players were advised by their equipment manager to not swap shirts with Everton players as is customary after the match, because of a shortage of team kits!

However, after the dramatic finish, most Oldham players couldn’t help themselves.

From the Daily Mail:

[A]fter Matt Smith’s injury-time equaliser, there was a rush to swap jerseys with their Premier League opposition, with midfielder Jose Baxter claiming the prized shirt of England full back Leighton Baines, a former Goodison Park team-mate.

‘We all got carried away and didn’t really think about the notice,’ said Baxter. ‘I just hope we’ve got enough kit for Tuesday.’

Smith chucked his shirt into the crowd after scoring.