Arsenal sign most lucrative contract in British soccer with Puma

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.

May

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

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!

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!

Jan

Talk about reaching unexpected heights, check out this neat video as Brazilian giants Sao Paulo expand their brand by launching their kit to a weather balloon by sending it up as high as 30,000 feet into the air.