Die-hard fans of England’s Women’s World Cup team will soon be sporting Mary Earps’s replica goalkeeper jerseys. After announcing that “limited quantities” would be available for sale, Nike is finally responding to public demand.
The sportswear titan has been in the hot seat of late, with Earps openly voicing her dissatisfaction with the decision not to sell her jerseys to the public.
A whopping 150,000 people put their John Hancock on a petition imploring Nike to make the goalkeeper shirts available for purchase.
In a response that could be described as a business hat-trick, Nike declared that it had “secured limited quantities of goalkeeper jerseys to be sold.”
Earps, the lightning-fast England goalie who was instrumental in leading the team to the Women’s World Cup final and snagging the Golden Glove award, aired her grievances over the issue a month ago.
Man Utd, meanwhile, pushed back a bid for this star England goalkeeper.
Earps wasn’t pulling any punches when she described the unavailability of goalkeeper kits as “hugely disappointing and very hurtful,” contrasting it with the sale of outfield player shirts.
By Thursday, Nike had performed a marketing somersault, admitting its sluggish response to fan fervor during the tournament.
Their statement read like a playbook for supporting women’s football, declaring, “We’ve seen and share the unprecedented passion and interest in women’s football this year.” They added a vow to ensure that fans could fully back the squad’s goalkeepers by retailing women’s goalkeeping jerseys for major future tournaments.
The petition, which quickly became an online sensation, was kicked off on 21 July by a 16-year-old football enthusiast named Emmy. She eloquently stated that she wanted to “respect” the athletes who are reshaping women’s football.
Though Nike claimed to be “working towards solutions for future tournaments” just last Sunday, Earps’s Instagram response hinted that she found their words lacking in substance.
Despite losing 1-0 to Spain in the final, Earps’s penalty save was a highlight, further cementing her star status across the tournament.
Earps’s adidas kit with Manchester United, her Women’s Super League club, vanished off the shelves last season, underscoring the demand.
In a curious twist, while the men’s England goalkeeper shirt is unavailable at the England Store, it can be found elsewhere. It has sparked debates and reignited the discussion on the persistent disparity between men’s and women’s football, with these three events emphasizing the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gender Disparity
Q: Why were Mary Earps’s goalkeeper shirts not available for sale earlier?
Q: What led to Nike’s change of heart regarding the goalkeeper jerseys?
A: The passionate response from fans, including the online petition, played a significant role in pushing Nike to change their stance. The demand and fervor surrounding women’s football prompted Nike to secure limited quantities of the goalkeeper jerseys for sale.
Q: Was there a gender gap issue involved in this situation?
A: Yes, the situation highlighted a gender gap in football merchandise availability. While outfield player shirts were offered for sale, goalkeeper jerseys like Mary Earps’s were not initially made commercially available. This raised concerns about the inequality in representation and support for women’s football.
Q: How did Mary Earps react to the initial unavailability of the jerseys?
A: Mary Earps expressed her disappointment and hurt about the unavailability of goalkeeper kits for fans to purchase. She criticized the decision, especially considering that outfield player shirts were being sold, and questioned the lack of representation for goalkeepers like herself.
Q: What steps did Nike take to address the issue?
A: Nike acknowledged its slow response to public demand and expressed its commitment to supporting women’s football. The company announced that it had secured limited quantities of goalkeeper jerseys for sale and pledged to retail women’s goalkeeping jerseys for major future tournaments.
Q: Who initiated the online petition, and what was its impact?
A: The online petition was started by a 16-year-old football fan named Emmy. It garnered significant attention and support, amassing more than 150,000 signatures. The petition played a crucial role in pressuring Nike to reconsider its decision and make the goalkeeper jerseys available.
Q: Did Nike’s change of heart extend to other teams as well?
A: Yes, in addition to England, Nike also secured limited quantities of goalkeeper jerseys for the US, France, and the Netherlands. These jerseys were to be sold through federation websites, and Nike indicated ongoing conversations with other federation partners for similar arrangements.
Q: How did this situation reflect wider issues in women’s football?
A: The situation shed light on the unequal treatment and representation of women’s football compared to men’s. The fact that men’s goalkeeper shirts were available while women’s were not highlighted the broader gender disparity present in the world of football.
Q: What impact did Mary Earps have on England’s performance in the Women’s World Cup?
A: Mary Earps played a significant role in England’s journey to the Women’s World Cup final. Her exceptional goalkeeping skills earned her the Golden Glove award, and she made crucial saves, including a penalty, showcasing her talent and contribution to the team’s success.
Q: What was the response to Nike’s change of stance on the jerseys?
A: While Nike’s change of heart was welcomed by many fans and supporters of women’s football, some still expressed skepticism and questioned whether the limited quantities would be enough to meet the demand. The situation also sparked discussions about the larger issue of gender equality in sports merchandise.
More about Gender Disparity
- Mary Earps expresses disappointment over unavailability of goalkeeper shirts
- Nike responds to public demand for goalkeeper jerseys
- Online petition calls for Nike to sell Mary Earps jerseys
- Nike’s commitment to women’s football merchandise
- Mary Earps wins Golden Glove award
- Gender disparity in football merchandise
2 comments
this story’s like a plot twist! who’d think they’d go from a no-go to a “limited quantities” showdown? hoping this sparks more respect for women’s sports.
wait, so them keeper shirts weren’t up for grabs? that’s just not fair. Mary rocked it, they should’ve been sellin’ those shirts from the get-go!