Harry Kane is officially an old man after signing life-long Skechers boot contract
Bayern Munich striker goes off beaten path to become company's first sponsored football player
What do Harry Kane, Jamie Redknapp, and Snoop Dog have in common with my 75-year-old mother? They wear Skechers.
Yes, Harry Kane, recently signed by Bayern Munich for £104 million (if all bonuses are met) announced on Thursday that he had signed a life-long contract to wear Skechers football boots. The deal makes Kane the first footballer to sign with Skechers.
At least, Kane is the first active player to sign with Skechers. Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp has endorsed Skechers for a few years. He apparently wears the Skechers Arch Fit shoe.
Following the announcement of the deal, Kane posted on social media:
“So happy to join the Skechers Football family. Love the comfort and feel of the boots and there's loads more to come in this partnership.”
The post reads like it was written by a member of the Skechers’ advertising department.
For Skechers, signing Kane to wear their first-ever football is significant. Kane is one of England’s top players and a member of the national team. Although he no longer plays in the Premier League, Kane arguably plays for a far bigger club, Bayern Munich, than he did previously, Tottenham.
The Skechers’ football boot is known as the SKX_10. It will hit stores in Europe in September. Up to this point, the football boot industry has been ruled by Adidas, Nike, and Puma. Under Armour and New Balance have tried to make in-roads in European football and had varying success. Mizuno is another brand that has tried to tap into the European market but failed to find full-blown success.
The significance of Kane’s new Skechers boot deal is that it could allow more players to obtain endorsement contracts. Skechers’ decision to go for Kane is understandable. He has a squeaky-clean image unlike some of the players Nike and Adidas have worked with.
Skechers had previous success in athletics and golf before diving into the football industry. Football feels like a much different area for Skechers to go into. A lot of footballers, young and old, are often dedicated to a specific brand.
The SKX_10 boots look like a lot of the other boots on the market. They have an inner sock liner that goes up the ankle. The boots are curvy and contour to the foot. The Skechers’ ‘S’ logo is prominent on the outside of the foot. If you aren’t aware Skechers makes a football boot, you wouldn’t know it is a Skechers product.
There is nothing wrong with the look of the SKX_10. But there isn’t anything that makes it stand out. It is always safe to produce a boot that looks could but doesn’t stand out too much than to make one that divides opinion.
The SKX_10’s success will likely hinge on the number of goals Kane scores in the Bundesliga this season. If he wins the Golden Boot and wins the Bundesliga at Bayern Munich, then kids around England and Germany may ask their parents for Skecher football boots rather than Nike or Adidas.
After researching Skechers in the wake of Kane’s boot deal announcement, I found out that Snoop Dog is also a brand ambassador. He has his own Skechers shoe. From “Gin and Juice” to Skechers.
I suddenly fancy a pair of Skechers Slip-ins trainers. My sports-ravaged feet may enjoy a pair.