Rangers announce retail partnership with SportsDirect.com

RANGERS have today announced a joint venture with retail firm SportsDirect.com that will see the club sell its merchandise through the sportwear firm’s outlets.

• New firm, Rangers Retail, created in which club will maintain a majority share

• Superstore at Ibrox will return to control of club with the club also reclaiming online rights

• Rangers merchandise to be distributed through Sports Direct’s 470 stories in the UK, Europe and the Middle East

The club say the move will allow greater control over the range, price and design of products.

Rangers yesterday announced that a merchandising deal with JJB had been ended by both parties.

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.

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

The club say the new deal means that they will look at acquiring an airport retail site.

Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has expressed an interest in purchasing a stake of up to 10 per cent in the club previously.