Nike has bowed to weeks of pressure and confirmed that it will sell a “limited” number of women’s replica England goalkeeper tops.
The sportswear giant released a media statement today:
“We’ve seen and share the unprecedented passion and interest in women’s football this year and remain committed to playing our part by offering the best products and services to athletes and fans. We invested more in this year’s WC than any other global tournament to date.
“Nike has secured limited quantities of goalkeeper jerseys for England, U.S., France, and the Netherlands to be sold through the Federation websites over the coming days, and we are also in conversations with our other Federation partners.
“We recognise that during the tournament we didn’t serve those fans who wished to show their passion and support to the squad’s goalkeepers. We are committed to retailing women’s goalkeeping jerseys for major tournaments in the future.”
The u-turn today comes after Manchester United and England goalkeeper, Mary Earps criticised Nike’s statement earlier in the week, when it stated that it “heard and understood the desire for a retail version of a goalkeeper’s jersey” and that it was “working towards solutions for future tournaments.”
Adding:
“The fact that there’s a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women’s game and we believe that’s encouraging.”
Earps, who was named FIFA’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper last year and also won the Golden Glove at the Women’s World Cup, responded via Instagram on Tuesday:
“@Nike is this your version of an apology/taking accountability/a powerful statement of intent.”
Which has probably led to today. That plus the thousands signing a change.org petition and ongoing media pressure.
Earps’ club shirt (made by Adidas) was sold out last season and according to United is the second most popular jersey so far this season – after Ella Toone’s.
Earps she had offered to fund the England goalkeeper shirts herself, but instead started her own clothing brand, MAE27, which has been selling out its “Be unapologetically yourself” t-shirts.
Nike was also criticised for a Tweet which praised England for reaching the final, see if you can spot the obvious omission:
Speaking ahead of the Women’s World Cup, Mary Earps explained why she felt let down by the lack of replica jersey:
“It is very, on a personal level, it is obviously hugely hurtful considering the last 12 months especially – and also I think there has been an incredible rise in goalkeeping participation over that year.
“I go into grassroots clubs and I am asked to bribe people to go into goal, and I have been to more clubs recently and that’s not been the case.
“A lot of that has come off the back of the Euros but also some of my success this year.
“For my own family and friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they are going to come out and wear normal clothes and I know that sounds like: ‘Oh Mary, what a horrible problem,’ but on a personal level that is really hard.
“[…] I think that is a huge problem, and I think it is a scary message that is being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that you are not important.”
