German 2. Bundesliga some time ago announced that they have agreed on an early end to the partnership with Hummel by summer 2020 and that Puma will become the club's new kit maker from the 2019-2020 season. Puma's HQ are in Herzogenaurach, which is near to Fürth.
Interestingly, Adidas some years ago parted ways with local club 1. FC Nürnberg, a move that was not very well received by fans of the club and in the region as a whole.
Umbro and 1. FC Nürnberg Sign Long-Term Kit Deal
Last Sunday, Hummel released the new Greuther Fürth 2019-2020 home kit. The club announced that for the last season with Hummel, fans can also expect individual new away and third jerseys from Hummel. They reflect the values such as tradition, regionality and club history in the designs.
Greuther Fürth 19-20 Home Kit Released
Hummel And Fürth Agree To End Partnership Ahead of Schedule
Hummel DACH managing director Stefan Kock explains: "We are very proud to have accompanied the club and the fans through very emotional times in the 2nd league, in which it was about relegation but also about promotion to the 1st Bundesliga. Many great moments, individual jerseys and lots of fashionable lifestyle articles will be remembered. The cooperation with the responsible persons was always very positive and at eye level, but it was also clear to us that due to our strategic orientation we will not continue with the contract concluded in the 2013/14 season and extended in 2016/17.".
"We would like to thank Hummel for the respectful cooperation over the past years and also for the fairness in informing us about the strategic reorientation at an early stage. In recent months, we have designed three great jerseys together with Hummel, which represent a worthy end to the partnership," says Fürth's Managing Director Holger Schwiewagner.
Puma Becomes SpVgg Greuther Fürth Kit Maker
Puma and Greuther Fürth signed a long-term kit deal from the 2020/2021 season that not only includes jerseys and other gear but some extras for Puma - in example, the company will use the close proximity to the facilities of the club in the Sportpark Ronhof. Below is the full press release.
PUMA and Bundesliga club SpVgg Greuther Fürth have signed a long-term equipment contract. From the 2020/2021 season, the Herzogenaurach-based sports company will be equipping all teams of the Franconian football club, thereby strengthening its commitment as a sponsor in its home region. This partnership is not the first between "Kleeblättern" and PUMA. From 1976 to 1994, as well as from 1996 to 2000, Fürth was in jerseys with the big cat.
"PUMA and the Spielvereinigung have a long common history", says Matthias Bäumer, General Manager PUMA DACH. "Already in the 50's the players of the "Kleeblätter" belonged to the first brand ambassadors of PUMA football boots. PUMA and the "Kleeblätter" are not only connected by their common past. Professionalism, courage, creativity and quick decisions are an integral part of the DNA of both companies. In addition to our global cooperations, local commitment is also important for us. With the new, long-term partnership, we are strengthening regional roots and will actively involve both young football players and professionals in the further development of PUMA and SpVgg Greuther Fürth. This certainly goes beyond pure product development. We are already looking forward to an intensive partnership with hopefully many sporting successes".
The cooperation between PUMA and SpVgg Greuther Fürth will go far beyond a pure supplier contract. Thus, the company will use the close proximity to the facilities of the club in the Sportpark Ronhof | Thomas Sommer in Fürth for professional product tests, the development of product innovations, marketing and campaign activities as well as photo shootings.
Both partners also want to use the cooperation for their personnel development and give their employees practical experience and insights into other football-relevant activities within the framework of a training cooperation. PUMA employees will have access to tickets for home matches and will be able to use the childcare facilities for their children during the school holidays at the club's youth football camps.
Holger Schwiewagner, Managing Director of SpVgg Greuther Fürth, comments on the new cooperation: "We are very pleased to have PUMA as our partner, not only one of the world's largest sporting goods manufacturers, but also a direct neighbour. In addition to quick and direct feedback on PUMA's product innovations, we want to contribute our sports, sports science and sports medicine expertise to the development of these very innovations".
Do you look forward to see Puma's first modern Greuther Fürth kits? What do you think of the last-ever SpVgg Greuther Fürth home kit by Hummel? Share your thoughts in the comments below.