1. FC Union is breaking new ground and is presenting the new home and away jerseys with a fashion show in the Berlin TV tower on Alexanderplatz. The fans are praising this, but also criticizing it. However, the iron fans are really pleased that the jerseys still have a bare chest. The search for a new, financially strong main sponsor is proving difficult.
After almost falling into the second division, 1. FC Union wants to aim higher again this season. In keeping with this, the Köpenickers presented the new jerseys for the women’s and men’s teams at a lofty height: 203 meters above the ground, Union was the last Bundesliga club to reveal the secret of the new jerseys that many fans had been eagerly awaiting for weeks.
1. FC Union: Fashion show criticized, jerseys celebrated
The home jersey, which was presented by models as well as defender Fatma Sakar, attacker Antonia Halverkamps, midfielder Andras Schäfer and striker Jordan on an artificial turf catwalk on the observation deck of the Berlin TV tower, remains in the traditional Union red. White sleeves and white stripes adorn the jersey, as does a Berlin bear, which is hidden as a small repeating element on the chest. The new away jersey, on the other hand, is no longer white, but black-grey.
Attacker on the wrong track: Jordan (28) presented the new home jersey of 1. FC Union and obviously had fun at the iron fashion show.Matthias Koch/imago
The presentation was well received by the invited guests, including former Union player Torsten Mattuschka (43), Ronny Nikol (50), rapper Finch, and Detlev Buck and Leander Haußmann from the film scene, and the players clearly enjoyed it. However, many fans on the internet were not happy with the iron fashion show in Mitte. Comments such as “How far from the grassroots do you want to present the jerseys?” and “From the locksmith boys to people who have never seen the inside of a stadium” were more frequent than positive ones. As we all know, taste and marketing campaigns are subjective.
Union jerseys without a sponsor popular with fans
However, there is iron unity and above all joy about the new jerseys. The vast majority like the new outfits. Also because the 1. FC Union’s chest remains bare. Instead of a new main sponsor, the new jerseys, like the alternative jersey, feature the popular design with the lettering “Berlin” and the distinctive TV tower symbol. The rare, ad-free jerseys have real collector’s value for many fans, which, according to 1. FC Union, is already evident in the sales figures for the yellow and red striped alternative jersey, which has been available for weeks.
1. FC Union continues to search for new main sponsor
Three at a glance: Yorbe Vertessen, Rani Khedira and Jordan (from left) in the new jerseys of 1. FC Union. 1. FC Union
A new main sponsor would bring more money into 1. FC Union’s coffers. After the end of the collaboration with Paramount+, the Iron Ones are still looking for a new partner. Although the income is anything but peanuts – Paramount+ paid six million euros for one year – President Dirk Zingler (59) recently appeared demonstratively calm.
According to KURIER information, the Köpenickers are in talks with a number of companies. However, concrete negotiations are not yet in sight one and a half weeks before the start of the competitive season with the DFB Cup in Greifswald (17 August). This means that 1. FC Union will in all probability be the only Bundesliga club to start the new season with a clean sheet. ■
