Puma has extended and expanded its partnership with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) until 2018. The deal will see the German sportswear giant continue to supply all official matchday jerseys and training apparel to Italy's national soccer teams, as well as producing official merchandise for supporters. In addition, Puma will become a master licensee of the FIGC, allowing it to market other FIGC-branded items.
News of the extension was revealed as Puma launched Italy's change strip for Uefa Euro 2012. The association between the two parties dates back nine years.
FIGC president Giancarlo Abete said: “It's always been a great partner. The competence of Puma in terms of design, marketing strategies and global distribution reassures us and gives us great confidence in the future.”
Speaking to Reuters, Puma chief executive Franz Koch cited the deal as evidence of Puma's intent to close on its rivals. He said: “We are the number three in soccer and we want to pick away at the gap with Adidas and Nike. It's a very big category for us and we have enormous potential.”
Puma has been active in the European soccer market in the past year, signing endorsement deals with the likes of Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, and completing a kit supply deal with Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund.
