New Balance sues Roma for adidas deal

This summer, a possible agreement was announced between adidas and Roma, which will replace New Balance at the end of the 2022/23 season. According to various rumours, in fact, the renewal option with the American brand was not to be exercised, thus putting an end to a collaboration that lasted only two years. In the balance sheet as of 30 June 2022 of the Giallorossi club, however, Roma explains that an arbitration is pending before the International Chamber of Commerce with its current technical sponsor, to resolve the case related to the agreement with a third competitor, which for reasons of confidentiality is never mentioned. New Balance complains to Roma that: "the technical sponsorship contract for the production of football shirts in existence between the companies for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons would contain a Right of First Refusal clause in favour of New Balance which, if exercised in the presence of multiple competing bids, would oblige AS Roma, to renew the Contract with New Balance, on condition that the latter equalises the terms offered by the third party." 

An unconfirmed version by Roma which instead responded as follows: "New Balance did not equalise the contractual terms proposed by the Third Competitor to AS Roma in the Offer and that therefore New Balance did not legitimately exercise its Right of First Refusal. The Third Competitor's Offer is lawful in that it was not made on the basis of any breach of the confidentiality agreement in place between New Balance and AS Roma." Obviously it is not known which side is right, meanwhile, as per the ruling on 22 August, at the outcome of the Case Management Conference, the procedural timetable was defined according to which the award that will define the proceedings must be rendered by 11 February. In just under a month's time it will therefore be known who will prevail, whether the Giallorossi club will be able to follow in the footsteps of the Italian national team, fresh from signing with the German brand, or remain with New Balance for the final season and continue the path of collaboration begun this year.