Footballers with their own clothing line
That professional sports are big business is in no other sport more visible than in football. The commercialisation of professional football clubs started a long time ago and will only keep progressing.
Like clubs, football stars are continually increasing their marketing efforts surrounding their own brand with many starting their own businesses. The list below takes a look at football players from around the world that started their own clothing line.
1. CR7 by Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo has made no secret of his business ambitions and has tied his name to multiple products. The Portuguese number seven owns boutiques, hotels, has fragrances and has ventured into fashion.
CR7 Underwear is a collection that has been designed in co-operation with Danish company JBS and designer Richard Chai. The line consists of a range of underwear and socks. In addition to his underwear line, Ronaldo has linked his name to footwear and shirts. CR7 Footwear sells a range of shoes that have been produced in Ronaldo’s home country Portugal.
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2. BALR. by Gregory van der Wiel, Demy de Zeeuw and Eljero Elia
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In 2013 three (former) Dutch internationals, Gregory van der Wiel, Demy de Zeeuw and Eljero Elia, founded luxury lifestyle brand BALR. The clothing line consists of t-shirts, headwear, footwear and accessories. BALR. smartly uses social media to spread their message and gets help from many football players and other influencers to promote the brand.
Simple, but classy designs in mostly white, black, grey and blue colour schemes are sold through the online shop, pop-up stores and an Amsterdam store that opened in 2016. BALR. has also partnered with Samsung to bring a smartwatch to the market.
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3. JLingz by Jesse Lingard
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Manchester United academy graduate Jesse Lingard launched his clothing line JLingz in 2018. JLingz has apparel for both men and women. In addition to items like hoodies, sweatpants and socks, they also offer accessories like aftershave, iPhone cases and hats.
The fashion items either have Lingard’s logo on it – two hands forming ‘JL’, a hand gesture he also forms after scoring – or the ‘Be Yourself’ signature.
4. No Fuchs Given by Christian Fuchs
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During Leicester City’s 2015/16 Premier League Championship campaign, the Foxes’ left back Christian Fuchs launched his clothing line No Fuchs Given. Characterised by a skull, Fuchs’ clothes for men, women and kids are designed and produced in England. People can buy No Fuchs Given online, at department store Fenwick (Leicester), King Power Duty Free Locations (Leicester’s sponsor) or at Leicester’s club store.
5. FIVE Supply by Rio Ferdinand
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Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand launched his clothing line, FIVE Supply, in 2009. The main focus is on headwear, but people can also buy FIVE Supply boxer shorts and t-shirts. In addition to his clothing line, Ferdinand launched a digital lifestyle magazine FIVE.
6. Adidas Football X Paul Pogba Collection
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Paul Pogba and adidas took a new step in their collaboration recently with the adidas football X Pogba collection. Since his transfer to Manchester United, the French midfielder is heavily featured in adidas’ (social) campaigns, even having his own Twitter-emoji. His PP logo is visible on the mainly black and gold products.
7. David Beckham joint forces with H&M
Former England and Manchester United player David Beckham joint forces with Swedish retailer H&M in 2011 for his own clothing line of men’s essentials. The stylish footballer has launched several H&M collections over the last few years with the 2016 autumn collection being the last one for the time being.
8. A-Z by Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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Geplaatst door Zlatan Ibrahimović op Dinsdag 29 november 2016
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In the summer of 2016 Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic launched his own clothing line A-Z in Paris (it was also live streamed on Facebook). In collaboration with Petter Varner, head of the Norwegian clothing giant Varner, the brand wanted to make sports accessible to everyone. In 2018 the clothing line stopped due to losses.
A-Z offered a wide range of clothing – tops, bottoms, outdoor, underwear and accessories – for men and juniors. Men t-shirts sell for around 30 Euro, while jacks cost around 90 Euro.
9. Cahill+ by Tim Cahill
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Australian professional footballer Tim Cahill launched his clothing line Cahill+ in 2015. Conceptualised while the forward was playing for the New York Red Bulls, Cahill+ is ‘fusing modernist design with the ergonomics and technical trims of premium sportswear’.
Cahill’s sportswear collection for men, was sold in Canada, Australia (his home country) and China (where he also played). Cahill+ was shown at partner JD.com fashion show during the 2016 New York Fashion Week.
It seems that the brand is no longer active.
10. Didier Drogba with Drogba & Co by HOM
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Ivorian Coast striker Didier Drogba launched the clothing line Drogba & Co by HOM in 2013. However, it is no longer active. The underwear collection for men included boxer shorts, briefs and t-shirts bearing the number 11 (his playing number). Part of the sales went to Drogba’s foundation that aims to improve education and healthcare in Ivory Coast and Africa.
Which clothing line do you like best?
