Nike 收购 Umbro

美国运动品牌Nike公司昨日与英国运动品牌Umbro公司达成协议，Nike将以高达5亿8千万美元的价格收购Umbro，以加强Nike品牌在足球领域的影响力。英国Umbro公司是足球届的著名品牌，赞助英国国家足球队和多支英格兰顶级足球俱乐部，Nike公司自1990年开始涉足足球运动，不断扩展其产品线，这次收购Umbro品牌可以看作是Nike公司针对Adidas品牌收购Reebok所做出的回应，Umbro品牌将作为Nike公司旗下的品牌继续运转，Nike公司的足球运动产品线也将与Adidas展开新的竞争，不仅在足球领域，篮球、田径、网球等各种体育项目里，Nike和都是两大品牌巨头，而我们更关注的是他们在滑板运动市场里所进行的比拼。(Skatehere.Com)

Umbro, the maker of the England football team’s kit, has agreed to be bought by US sportswear giant Nike in a deal worth ￡285m ($580m).

Nike said the deal would allow it to “significantly expand” its presence in “a key growth category” for the firm. As well as providing kit for the England team, Umbro also supplies the kit for six Premier League clubs.

‘World class brand’

Nike began moving into football in the early 1990s and has been steadily expanding its share of the market, catching up with German rival .

“There is an ongoing battle between Nike and to sign up the very top teams,” said Nigel Currie, director at sports brand experts Brand Rapport.

“From a marketability point of view, the Nike brand is very appealing to top clubs and international federations,” he added.

In its offer document, Nike said Umbro was “a world-class, authentic football brand, with well established positions in key growth markets and a deep football heritage”.

“As such, Umbro is highly complementary to Nike’s existing football business and it is intended that it will operate as an independent, UK headquartered Nike affiliate,” the US firm said.

The Football Association said Nike had assured it that the FA’s relationship with Umbro would be protected.

Manchester-based Umbro said last month that sales of England tops had been “disappointing”, and analysts are concerned that sales could suffer if England fail to qualify for next year’s European Championship.

Defensive moves

Speculation had been rising that Nike was set to launch a bid after Umbro said last week that it had received an approach about a possible offer.

On Friday, retailer JJB Sports bought a 10.1% stake in Umbro in a move to protect its stake in the market for England football shirts.

The owner of rival retailer Sports World, Sports Direct International, already owns a 15% stake in Umbro.

In addition to the England team, Umbro also provides kit for the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, and Sweden.

In the Scottish Premier League, Umbro supplies kit to Rangers and Hearts.

‘Excellent deal’

Under the terms of the offer, Umbro shareholders will receive 193.06p for each share. Umbro’s shares closed up 25.25p, or 15.3%, at 190.25p.

The chief executive of Umbro, Steve Makin, said the offer was an “excellent deal” for shareholders.

“We will be a stronger and better business as part of Nike and this deal will allow us to accelerate our existing growth strategy by leveraging Nike’s global resources and expertise,” he added.

Brian Barwick, the chief executive of the FA, said: “We are delighted that the proposed acquisition will allow us to continue our strong historical relationship with Umbro while benefiting from the marketing expertise and financial strength of Nike.”

“Nike has provided firm assurances that the FA relationship with Umbro will be protected and enhanced, and we look forward to working closely with both companies moving forward,” Mr Barwick added.