Prediction New Apparel Manufacturer 2026?

[Mop]

It’s that time of year. Our three year deal with New Balance / the offshoot who produce the Australian new balance is up and nothing has been about extending.
The team store did a pretty good job of clearing out the guernseys with the Reid promo, they were all gone when I was picking up my member redeemed items I’d ordered the week prior. Not a single guernsey left.

So, with that in mind, what do we think? New Balance to keep going or a third party?

It wouldn’t shock me at all if Puma are back on a three year deal to tie into Harley who is their athlete.

 

[Mop]

Overnight I did a bit more digging.
Brisbane and Melbourne are the other two clubs sponsored by New Balance (produced under licence by Belgravia Sports of Adelaide).

Brisbane signed a four year deal in 2023, expiring at the end of next season. The Demons have been wearing NB for 15 years now but their deal is also up as of the end of this season with no announcement of extension.

 

[Boohemian]

New Balance is for middle aged fathers that see their children every other weekend. Hopefully we are back to Puma.

 

[Mop]

New Balance is for middle aged fathers that see their children every other weekend. Hopefully we are back to Puma.

If memory serves me right Puma made a decision to pull back many sponsorships worldwide at the time hence us going elsewhere, Adidas made a similar call at the same time, mainly in the round ball arena. It appears perhaps they’ve pivoted back the other way. Puma currently sponsor Essendon and Richmond, so they are active in the AFL space. Richmond have been wearing Puma since 2017, after previous provider BLK went bust. Also of note, Puma’s major AFL athlete at the time was Dustin Martin. The dual tie up would greatly benefit Puma’s marketing ability.

Essendon have only been wearing Puma commencing this season (or rather, after the end of last season) after their deal with Under Armour ended.

Every little tidbit I read makes me think Puma seems to make sense, which would be really really cool.

 

[squashface]

Maybe we're going back to Castore

 

[Mop]

Maybe we're going back to Castore

 

[Boohemian]

If memory serves me right Puma made a decision to pull back many sponsorships worldwide at the time hence us going elsewhere, Adidas made a similar call at the same time, mainly in the round ball arena. It appears perhaps they’ve pivoted back the other way. Puma currently sponsor Essendon and Richmond, so they are active in the AFL space. Richmond have been wearing Puma since 2017, after previous provider BLK went bust. Also of note, Puma’s major AFL athlete at the time was Dustin Martin. The dual tie up would greatly benefit Puma’s marketing ability.

Essendon have only been wearing Puma commencing this season (or rather, after the end of last season) after their deal with Under Atmour ended.

Every little tidbit I read makes me think Puma seems to make sense, which would be really really cool.

I was really impressed with Essendon's kit this year. Did away with the tacky piped cuffs, colours looked vibrant rather than washed out as they had in recent years. Puma really look like they're taking it seriously again.

 

[Monocle]

Maybe we're going back to Castore

Big call.

 

[Mop]

I was really impressed with Essendon's kit this year. Did away with the tacky piped cuffs, colours looked vibrant rather than washed out as they had in recent years. Puma really look like they're taking it seriously again.

The washed out colour is why I didn’t love Castore. The Yellow Peril is my favourite guernsey. Puma’s 2007 re release is the best, but the NB ones and the ISC ones were both good. Puma are still the gold standard IMO

I do hope Puma have improved their fit though, jeez they used to run small.

 

[Elite Pete]

Bring back Puma

 

[Patterz123]

New Balance have done a pretty decent job, although Puma is next level quality.

Not sure if a return would happen, word is when they joined with Richmond in 2017 our club was neglected in certain aspects. Hence we move to ISC in 2018. Since Puma we've had ISC, Castore (Sekem produced the player gear) and NB.

NB has been the best quality of the three in my opinion so far.

 

[Boohemian]

New Balance have done a pretty decent job, although Puma is next level quality.

Not sure if a return would happen, word is when they joined with Richmond in 2017 our club was neglected in certain aspects. Hence we move to ISC in 2018. Since Puma we've had ISC, Castore (Sekem produced the player gear) and NB.

NB has been the best quality of the three in my opinion so far.

Castore was an absolute calamity. Was it even considered beyond the wings logo?

 

[Bender_]

Castore was an absolute calamity. Was it even considered beyond the wings logo?

Castore rep: "We'll do it for 2% cheaper than your current supplier. However the quality will - "

Ne$bitt: "SOLD!"

 

[Selurs]

Not sure if a return would happen, word is when they joined with Richmond in 2017 our club was neglected in certain aspects. Hence we move to ISC in 2018. Since Puma we've had ISC, Castore (Sekem produced the player gear) and NB.

Pretty sure they failed to deliver our retail (?) gurnseys in time because they prioritised the Richmond ones as they were the new shiny.

Nissy chucked a wobbly 'cause we'd been Puma's only AFL team for some time, so walked away from it at the end of that year.

So, with Nissy now gone, there would definitely be room for a return ¯\(ツ)/¯

 

[squashface]

Pretty sure they failed to deliver our retail (?) gurnseys in time because they prioritised the Richmond ones as they were the new shiny.

Nissy chucked a wobbly 'cause we'd been Puma's only AFL team for some time, so walked away from it at the end of that year.

So, with Nissy now gone, there would definitely be room for a return ¯\(ツ)/¯

Can't stand between Nissy and retail sales - there would be hell to pay

 

[THE A5]

Usually there a bit of chatter on the junpers board during the season about néw sponsors or teams looking to change sponsors but I can’t remember if there’s been any chatter this season

 

[Matele]

Not sure if a return would happen, word is when they joined with Richmond in 2017 our club was neglected in certain aspects. Hence we move to ISC in 2018

Yeah I remember at the time there was quite the falling out and bridges were burnt between the club and Puma.

Hopefully with a refreshed admin we may see them reunite.

 

[DAT8]

Eagles back with puma would give such a good opportunity for a retro range hopefully in Navy/ochre. I would be surprised if they didn't re sign with NB/BA though.

 

[Mop]

Eagles back with puma would give such a good opportunity for a retro range hopefully in Navy/ochre. I would be surprised if they didn't re sign with NB/BA though.

I would have imagined if it was just an incumbent extending we’d have known by now as they aren’t tied to existing contact expiries