Not so fast. It looks like the Daily Mail's report about Puma taking over the important Manchester City contract from Nike next season are at least a bit premature. Having researched the situation, we can confirm that the deal between Manchester City and the Swoosh is valid until the end of the 2018-19 season.
The deal between Nike and Manchester City, reported to be worth around GBP 20 million per season, was agreed on in the summer of 2012, but only came into effect with the start of 2013-14 season. The reason behind that is that Nike was selling Umbro (to Iconix Brand Group) in 2012 and was transferring over all 'important' contracts prior to the sale, among them Manchester City.
After the original deal between Umbro (then part of Nike) and Manchester City was closed in 2009 for a 10-year period, the 'new' contract with Nike was then reported to be valid for six seasons, which matches up and makes sense for all parties involved. Why should Nike agree to shorten a deal that was massively undervaluing the club's commercial power, having been agreed in 2009, just one year after Sheick Mansour's takeover of the club.
The Umbro sponsorship, which has been in place since June 2009, will continue to the end of the 2012/13 season, after which all kit, training wear and related products will be designed, manufactured and distributed by Nike. The contract will run until 2019.
Official Manchester City statement
So, unless City found a away to oust Nike from he deal prematurely, Nike will produce the Manchester City kits in 2018-2019.
Considering product development and production cycles, it's highly unlikely that the Manchester City 18-19 jerseys aren't already being produced this very moment or at least in the near future.
In fact, we've been able to confirm that Nike has normally designed a full 2018-2019 collection for Manchester City, including match and training kits as well as lifestyle items. The Manchester City 18-19 Nike home kit is slated for release in May 2018. Stay tuned for the first details and leaks of Nike's Manchester City 18-19 jerseys.
What do you make of all this? Drop us a line below, and check out the Kit Overview for all leaked and officials details on next season's jerseys.