Keith Wyness intrigued as Rangers agree new deal – ‘it’s unprecedented’
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Rangers are unlikely to get an “additional boost” after ditching kit supplier Castore for Umbro.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – lifted the lid on the unique new deal, which will come into effect this summer.
Rangers are set to return to Umbro next season after their £20million-per-season deal with Castore expires at the end of this campaign.
However, Castore have acquired rights to be the exclusive ‘Umbro Professional Team Sports’ sub-licence holder in the UK, which means they will still be in control of the Gers’ kit.
Rangers won several titles during their previous affiliation with Umbro, also reaching the final of the Uefa Cup.
According to SportBusiness (23 December), Castore executives believe “they will sell more Rangers shirts adorned with Umbro’s logo given the historic links”.
Rangers could profit from nostalgia factor, says Wyness
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “This is an interesting deal.
“Castore, who are currently the Rangers kit manufacturer, have actually bought the licence to distribute Umbro kits.
“The logic behind that is Umbro are a big part of the heritage of Rangers over the years.
“They’ll sell a lot more kits off the back of that, but the relationship is still with Castore.
“That’s not something I’ve seen before. They’re calling it brand segmentation.
“If Umbro and the traditional kits sell more, that will be the only uptick Rangers will get.
“I don’t think there’ll be an additional boost in the actual contract, because it’s the same parent company.
“But I think the fans will be happy to have Umbro back. It goes back to the days of success.”
In other news, Rangers star Jack Butland sets record straight after being rushed to hospital.
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