New Zealand Football have agreed a long-term partnership with sports apparel brand PUMA, ending a 20-year relationship with Nike.
PUMA will become the exclusive apparel provider to NZ Football from 2024, meaning national teams will wear the leaping Puma motif on their shirts and other apparel.
PUMA will equip all 10 New Zealand Football national teams (All Whites, Ford Football Ferns, Men’s U-17, U-20, U-23, Women’s U-17, U-20, Futsal Whites, Futsal Ferns and eFootball), and provide apparel and equipment for the organisation.
New Zealand will become the 12th national team supported by PUMA. Others include Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, and Uruguay.
The new PUMA national team kit will make its first appearance in the February 2024 FIFA international window.
New Zealand’s national teams were kitted out by Adidas until December 2003, when Nike announced they had signed the biggest-ever commercial partnership deal with the sport.
PUMA have supported football in New Zealand and Australia in different ways, including getting behind a reunion of the first women’s international teams from both countries.
They brought together players from the 1975 ‘originals’ for a rematch between the Ferns and the first Matildas, during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
READ MORE: The rematch (and emotional reunion) that was 48 years in the making … >>>>
NZ Football: ‘We can’t wait to get started’
James Wear, GM Brand and Partnerships, New Zealand Football, said:
“The commitment from PUMA to have a presence in country provides exciting opportunities to grow the game at all levels for both parties.
“We are all excited about the possibilities this partnership provides and can’t wait to get started.”
Johan Adamsson, Global Director of Sports Marketing & Licensed, PUMA, said:
“We are delighted to partner with New Zealand Football.
“Football is one of the fastest growing sports in New Zealand and we are thrilled to be able to continue the growth of the beautiful game in the Oceania region.
“We are excited by the ambition of New Zealand Football and look forward to pursuing success on the international stage together.”
Andrew Pragnell, CEO, New Zealand Football, said:
“This is an exciting new partnership that will take our national teams and New Zealand Football to the next level.
“PUMA’s commitment to excellence aligns with our ambition as a football association to continually raise the bar for the game in New Zealand.
“Football is the biggest participation sport in the country and this partnership will give it the support it deserves to continue that amazing growth.”
More football stories
