The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and PUMA announced a new comprehensive partnership that will see the Global Sports Brand operate as the FIGC’s lead partner into the next decade. Through this agreement, PUMA has extended and increased its marketing rights as well as retaining the exclusive Master License to actively manage the entire global licensing portfolio of FIGC assets. PUMA will also continue as the official technical supplier supporting all associated FIGC teams.
Through this agreement, the FIGC and PUMA will actively work together on a number of projects to grow the image, profile and commerciality of the FIGC on a global level. This will entail shared marketing investment allocated to core areas of focus within the FIGC programme including youth development, women’s football, countering racism and the internationalisation of the FIGC brand.
As PUMA continues to reassert itself as a Global Sport Brand with strong heritage in performance, the FIGC partnership is one of great strategic importance. Dating back more than ten years, PUMA first became the partner of the ‘Squadre Nazionali’ in 2003. This next era will see the partnership continue to expand and instigate greater mutual return to both organisations.
Björn Gulden, Chief Executive Officer for PUMA said: “Extending this long standing partnership with the FIGC is extremely important to PUMA and is another key step towards our goal to become the Fastest Sport Brand in the World. The FIGC with all its heritage and class is a major ingredient in our football portfolio and there is a clear vision amongst their new senior management that we share and are enthusiastic to support. The coming years will see a deeper commitment from PUMA to the FIGC and we see great commercial opportunity through a partnership that has continued to grow yet retains great potential.”
Carlo Tavecchio, President of the FIGC commented: “The partnership extension with PUMA represents a very important result for the FIGC. It will bring benefit us greatly both in affirming our brand at an international level and because it will see both organizations committed to developing special projects. The FIGC has defined a 360 development plan that is effective across the National A Team to the youth teams, from women’s football to social responsibility projects. In addressing these ambitious plans, PUMA will be a highly valued partner that we are proud to have with us for a long time.
