Collingwood wants to launch its own club apparel in 2013 Jay Clark
From: Sunday Herald Sun
May 06, 2012 COLLINGWOOD wants to put further distance on its rivals in footy's escalating arms race when it launches its own club apparel next season.
The Magpies are set to become the first AFL club to design and produce its own line of club clothing and merchandise.
The move to start a club clothing brand is expected to develop a profitable new business arm for Collingwood and generate more cash to spend on the football department.
While the club would not comment on its commercial operations yesterday, the Magpies will almost certainly have to part ways with apparel sponsor adidas as part of the shift at the end of the year.
The global clothing giant has been linked to a potentially lucrative new deal of up to five years with Hawthorn from next season.
The Collingwood plot is likely to have benefits for Pies fans as it will mean the club can manufacture its clothing at a cheaper rate and on-sell to customers for less than current prices.
The revelation spells danger for rival clubs already concerned by the ramifications of a widening gap between the rich and poor clubs ahead of the introduction of free agency later this year.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/collingwood-wants-to-launch-its-own-club-apparel-in-2013/story-e6frf9jf-1226347673021
