A judge has ruled against Rangers today in a conflict over merchandise with Sports Direct which could see them rack up hundreds of thousands in legal fees. It’s the latest Rangers kit ruling in a seemingly endless High Court battle.
Mr. Justice Teare had concluded that Rangers breached the terms of an agreement they had with the Sports Direct group.
He added that Rangers will pick up the lawyers’ bills for this round of litigation. According to STV, Sports Direct had amassed fees of a whopping £280,000 whilst Rangers spent around £147,000. That £427k, almost half a mill.
Rangers are claiming Sports Direct’s legal bills are “high or unreasonably high”.
Specifically, the case concerned Rangers entering into a new agreement with another retailer in conflict with the Sports Direct arrangement. Sports Direct were supposed to be given first option on any offer.
Rangers had entered into a new agreement with a firm called the Elite Group in September 2018. They were being sold in places like local retailer Greaves Sports and national chain JD Sports. It is a massive blow for the club and it might not end at legal fees. Another hearing on fees for damages is now set to take place.
The club have been at odds with the retailer for years and fans have suffered through boycotts. It feels like a really dark cloud hovering over the club at times.
After this latest Rangers kit ruling, it also seems there’s still no immediate end in sight.
