Hearing in Edinburgh over £9.5m claim against Ibrox club

Without much media attention the Ibrox Tribute Act were back in court yesterday for a preliminary hearing of the case brought by the Elite Sports Group.

Although they are currently in administration Elite are still operating with their claim relating to the contract signed by Danish firm Hummel in April 2018 to produce and distribute the Ibrox kit.

Sports Direct were quickly on the legal trail of that deal which delayed the launch and impacted the distribution of the iconic chevrons, halfway through the three year contract Hummel pulled out with Castore Sports appearing from nowhere to produce kit.

Castore quickly set up a distribution deal with Sports Direct and the House of Fraser.

The Ibrox club has had various kit troubles over the years with the Hummel/Elite case looking to drag on as long as the Sports Direct litigation.

The above detail is from Scottish Football Monitor.

On 23rd November 2022, STV reported:

A sportswear brand suing Rangers in a multi-million pound action has won a bid to discover how many kits made by a rival have been sold to fans. 

Lawyers acting for Elite Sports Group Ltd persuaded judge Lord Braid to pass an order which forces the Glasgow side to disclose sales data to them. 

Elite are the exclusive brand partner to Danish sportswear firm Hummel and it has instructed lawyers to go to the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

The company is seeking £9.5m compensation from Rangers. 

Its lawyers claim the club breached a contract which allowed the firm to provide the Glasgow team with kits. 

Lawyers for Elite say the breach occurred when Rangers signed a deal with Castore, a Manchester-based brand which counts tennis ace Sir Andy Murray as one of its investors.

On Wednesday, Elite’s lawyer David Thomson KC said his clients should be granted access to how many team kits made by Castore have been sold. 

Mr Thomson told Lord Braid that he and his colleagues needed to see such information as it would help them prepare their case and see how much they should claim for in compensation.

He told Lord Braid: “It is the pursuer’s case that the rug was effectively pulled from under them. It is clear that Rangers entered into an agreement which they didn’t perform. 

“The amount being sought is currently based on an estimation of sales. If the relevant figures are produced it will allow the claim to be more specific.

“I would ask the court to allow my motion for commission of diligence.”

Over the last fortnight the Ibrox club have lost their Chairman and Sporting Director, last year the Season Ticket Renewal Campaign started on April 11, so far there is no sign of this year’s media blitz.