JJB and Rangers end merchandising agreement to pave way for Mike Ashley deal

SPORTS retailer JJB Sports have reached an agreement with Rangers to end their merchandising deal.

• JJB and Rangers reach agreement to end merchandising deal

• Mike Ashley expected to strike new merchandising deal with Rangers owner Charles Green

The move will allow Rangers to tie-up a new agreement with Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley, with talks expected to take place later this week.

Mike Ashley has expressed an interest in purchasing a stake of up to 10 per cent in Rangers, and in selling Rangers merchandise via his Sports Direct retail chain.

The end of the JJB-Rangers deal brings to a close a six-year association brokered by former Rangers owner Sir David Murray in 2006. Murray had agreed a 10-year deal with JJB to allow the retailer to design, develop, source and retail all Rangers merchandise.

Rangers are expected to retain more ownership of their merchandising arrangement with Sports Direct, though terms have yet to be outlined.

The JJB deal saw Rangers receive £18 million initially, followed by an annual income of £3 million.

A JJB spokesperson confirmed that under the settlement, the retail megastore at Ibrox and the “right to all trademarks and licence to mamnufacture the Rangers football kit” would be transferred back to the club.