Furious football fans are heaping fresh pressure on Nike to overturn its ‘outrageous’ snub of England’s heroic goalkeeper Mary Earps after it refused to sell replicas of her shirt – with 70,000 people now backing a petition demanding a u-turn.
The 30-year-old Lioness was hailed as a standout heroine of England’s World Cup final match against Spain on Sunday, which later saw her being awarded the coveted Golden Glove, recognising her as the best keeper of the tournament.
The match ended in heartache for England, who lost 1-0. But Earps – adoringly nicknamed ‘Mary Queen of Stops’ by fans – produced a string of stunning saves to keep her team in it, which included a penalty stoppage of Jennifer Hermoso’s strike.
But her performance has been marred by Nike’s controversial decision not to sell the shirt of the Lioness heroine, who has since been hailed as a ‘national hero’ that ‘deserves the world’ following her performance at this year’s tournament.
However, PR gurus say Earps could have the last laugh insisting she could rake in a million pounds through lucrative brand deals, with experts saying Nike’s snub was a ‘golden opportunity’ for other firms to ‘scoop her up’ – which could even see the likes of Kim Kardashian eyeing up the star to represent her Skims clothing range.
Lioness keeper Mary Earps was hailed as the best goalie in the World Cup, being awarded the Golden Glove trophy. But Nike has come under fire for not selling copies of her team shirt
The England star was the standout hero of the World Cup final after saving Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty in the second half, keeping the Lionesses in the match
Former England goalkeeper David Seaman said Nike would be ‘regretting’ its decision not to sell replicas of Earps’ shirt following her efforts in the Women’s World Cup
Nick Ede, brand and culture expert, said Earps was ‘well on her way to making over a million pounds’ through brand endorsements, TV deals and public engagements.
‘Mary Earps has shone at the World Cup and although Nike have refused to print her team shirt this is now a golden opportunity for other disruptor brands to come in and scoop her up as a brand ambassador and make a lot of money for her and the brand,’ he told MailOnline.
‘I can see her being offered lucrative book deals and also big brand endorsements too. As a positive role model she has a really big chance of making a lot of money in many categories from cosmetics brands, lifestyle and healthcare brands too.
‘The big players who have lots of money to spend like insurance companies and banks will love her for brand recognition and positive impact. I can also see someone like Kim Kardashian utilising them to further her Skims brand in the UK and cement its inclusive message.’
The news comes as pressure continues to mount on Nike to overturn its decision not to sell Earps’ kits to her growing army of fans.
In a sly dig at the fashion giant following Sunday’s final in Sydney, Australia, former England men’s keeper David Seaman tweeted: ‘Bet @Nike are regretting not selling the #MaryEarps shirt now.’
While fans on social media celebrated her efforts and insisted she was now a national icon, with one woman tweeting: ‘@nikefootball Why won’t you sell Mary Earps’ kit. Are you crazy? She’s a national hero!’
Another added: ‘Despite losing can we just appreciate Mary Earps for a second? That woman is a national hero and deserves the world #Lionesses.’
Mary Earps cemented her place as a legendary Lioness figure following her performance during the World Cup (she is pictured celebrating England’s semi-final win, with Rachel Daly on her back)
Fans of the English keeper have been demanding Nike releases replicas of her team shirts
But so far the fashion giant has refused to do so – with PR gurus now claiming the move could now be a ‘golden opportunity’ for other brands to ‘scoop up’ the England star
Nike, which manufactures the England kit, has been blasted for choosing not to sell a replica shirt with Earps’ name and number, unlike other players.
Earps discovered she had been left out of promotional pictures when the Lionesses World Cup kit was launched in April and that her shirt would not be available.
The Manchester United keeper raised the issue with Nike and even offered to fund the production herself but was told this would not be possible.
The England goalie, whose roaring ‘f*** off’ after she saved Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty became a standout moment from the women’s World Cup Final, slammed Nike’s ‘hugely hurtful’ decision not to stock replicas of her shirt for fans to buy.
A petition set up by 16-year-old Emmy Somauroo demanding the sport giant make the shirt reached more than 70,000 signatures on Monday.
Calling on people to ‘unite’, the Change.org petition said: ‘We need to show togetherness and support Mary and ask Nike to rethink their decision. Let’s make them see just how important our female goalkeepers are. How respected they are and how many young girls aspire to join them in the future.
‘Any type of exclusion is unacceptable in this day and age and we need to show we will not stand for it. Mary and all female goalkeepers, we love and respect you. You are inspirational and we are behind you.’
Supporters of the campaign have since rallied round Earps, with one writing: ‘She was named the best female goalkeeper in the world. She is an inspiration for all girls (and) women.’
Another branded the move by Nike as ‘disgraceful’ adding: ‘Mary Earps is so inspirational and an incredible role model for the future of women’s football. She should be recognised as such with her shirt available to buy for all fans.’
Lioness fans have since taken matters into their own hands, making their own replica jerseys using felt tip pens and printing machines.
Singer Kate Nash was among the fans posting on Twitter to reveal their very own, homemade Mary Earps shirts, following Nike’s decision not to stock replicas of the Lioness goalie’s jersey
Another Lioness fan had had her own Earps shirt printed, seeing as Nike would not stock replicas of the jersey
One fan, who appeared to have written Earps’s name onto a piece of fabric and sewed it onto a different Premier League shirt, asked others to share their own creations
As the petition for Nike to sell Mary Earps’s shirt reaches 70,000 signatures, people have taken matters into their own hands to create their own
A mother took to Twitter to explain her daughter ‘adores’ Mary Earps but was not able to buy a proper jersey to support the goalkeeper, so instead she wrote ‘Earps’ and a number 1 on a pink t shirt that was turned inside out
One male fan, who was watching the World Cup Final in a fan zone, had used what appeared to be duct tape to customise his jacket to feature Earps’s surname and shirt number
Nike last night broke its silence on the furore around the scandal, issuing a brief statement, saying: ‘Nike is committed to women’s football and we’re excited by the passion around this year’s tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final.
‘We are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes.
‘We hear and understand the desire for a retail version of a goalkeeper jersey and we are working towards solutions for future tournaments, in partnership with Fifa and the federations.
‘The fact that there’s a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women’s game and we believe that’s encouraging.’
But speaking at Brisbane hotel last month about how the fashion giant was not selling her jersey, Earps said: ‘I can’t really sugarcoat this any way so I’m not going to try, it’s hugely disappointing and very hurtful.
‘It’s something that I’ve been fighting behind closed doors. I’ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.’
‘Unfortunately it’s become very evident that is not possible and there’s not going to be an acceptable solution for the young kids out there. On a personal level it’s obviously hugely hurtful, considering the last 12 months especially.’