Roger Hampel
FC Porto New Balance
A thriving partnership between FC Porto, the eminent Portuguese football club, and New Balance, the North American sportswear brand, has recently been rejuvenated with a contract renewal. Extending a relationship that burgeoned in 2014/15, the two entities will sustain their alliance for another decade, solidifying a partnership that intertwines sporting excellence with top-tier athletic wear.
Enduring Partnership Yields Mutual Success
The journey between FC Porto and New Balance, starting from the 2014/15 season, has borne fruit for both parties, and not merely in a symbolic context. Global retail sales for FC Porto burgeoned, witnessing a robust 91% growth since the inception of the partnership in 2014. This economic surge is not just a testament to FC Porto's on-field accomplishments but is indelibly linked to the allure and quality of New Balance's merchandise, which resonates with fans globally.
Kit Supply and Beyond
In sustaining the alliance, New Balance remains committed to outfitting FC Porto teams with premium playing and training kits while also availing a comprehensive assortment of clothing bearing the club’s insignia for fans worldwide. The brand doesn’t merely encapsulate FC Porto’s visual identity; it permeates through various aspects of fan interaction and experience, enabling supporters to don apparel that is emblematic of their allegiance to the team.
Joint Statement of Solidarity and Ambition
Chairman of FC Porto, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, expressed his satisfaction in perpetuating the partnership with New Balance, reflecting on the solid rapport built over previous seasons and envisioning subsequent triumphs: “We are pleased to continue to be a part of the New Balance family [...] We are looking forward to new successes and to seeing our fans with gear and clothes that make them proud as they support our team.”
Kenny McCallum, General Manager of New Balance Football, reciprocated the sentiment, elucidating that the renewal is a manifestation of a “very positive first stage” in the partnership and embodies the mutual aspirations of both FC Porto and New Balance “in growing and evolving at a global level, with tremendous desire for success.”
Global Aspirations and Strategic Decisions
The renewal of the contract, formalized at New Balance's headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, signals more than a continuation of a partnership; it underscores strategic forethought and mutual recognition of global ambitions. Both entities are not merely constrained to their geographical and functional boundaries but are intertwined in a synergy that propels their collective brand and presence on the international stage.
As FC Porto and New Balance embark on another decade of collaborative endeavor, the football and sportswear landscape will inevitably bear witness to a partnership that has not only proven financially fruitful but has fostered a symbiotic relationship that enhances brand visibility and emotional connectivity with fans globally. The alliance, rooted in mutual respect and shared ambitions, paves the way for FC Porto’s continued sporting endeavors and New Balance’s sustained prominence in the sporting apparel arena.
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