Dora Black / 23 January 2025 / Categories: Product and Brands, Brands, Specialist, Clothes

Castore

British Tennis/sports Clothing and the Andy Murray Collection

In 2014 British tennis star Andy Murray got paid approximately £15 million quid over 4 years by Baltimore based American sports apparel manufacturer Under Amour. It was a big deal for the brand in 2016 when wearing the kit, he won his 2nd Wimbledon singles title on centre court.

Fast forward to the last time Andy Murray played professionally in 2024 at Wimbledon in the men’s and mixed doubles competition.

This time sporting the much less well known British brand for reportedly a lot less money. The eight year contract is worth about a million pounds a year to Murray, no longer playing professionally but seen more as a global sports ambassador like David Beckham.

Despite getting the backing of the LTA the Lawn Tennis Association to produce their official clothing and the AMC Andy Murray Collection which Andy was also involved in designing, the British sportswear brand backed by the billionaire Issa brothers, alongside Murray has slumped to a loss in 2024 despite its sales jumping by £75m.

Andy Murray started his career playing in Fred Perry who I know defected to America but I still consider a British sports brand. I for one would absolutely love to see a British brand at the forefront of athleisurewear.

I haven’t tried the technical clothing from Castore and there’s not much mention I can find about their manufacturing (where their clothes are made) online.

I am glad to see Mr. Murray move away from a brand with a less than ethical profile to hopefully building something British and better for the future of tennis players and sports men and women looking for ethically sourced technical clothing.

Castore manufacture in over 80 countries employing 602 people mostly in the UK. They have a statement on there website explaining their policies are in line with the human trafficking and modern slavery act 2015 and here’s the statement regarding supply chains which is extremely positive.

Castore say “Our products are manufactured with tier 1 production facilities which are fully mapped and independently audited for social compliance. Castore also monitors the cost of living, minimum wage, applicable local regulations and local market infrastructure.

No sub-contracting of production is allowed at any time, unless expressly requested in advance and approved by Castore following a detailed review process. Any sub-contracted factory is subject to all the same standards and approvals as any tier 1 factory as well as Castore staff visits and authorisation of sub-contracting and annual independent audits.”

Sportswear manufacture and sportswear brands are some of the most nefarious when it comes to slave labour and human trafficking the market is so big and the consumer base often younger, easily impressed and more easily influenced.

It’s much easier for brands to get away with exploitation when their customer cares more about having the latest thing than maybe who was harmed in the manufacturing process.

Sports fans clearly don’t really care whether or not Michael Jordan was/is a wife beater. And if they even think about it it hasn’t affected sales. They just want to wear the Jordan Airs whatever the cost.

I don’t think this is Andy Murray at all, he’s someone who makes his own decisions and whilst I didn’t agree with his partnership with Under Armour because I don’t like what they stand for still producing hunting attire to this day, I am watching with anticipation to see if Castore can become the next big sporting:fashion:technical:performance:style global brand.

FYI I am all for Merton Council in SW19 changing the 1.3 mile approach from Wimbledon station to Murray Mile and interning Andy at Wimbledon forever. You can sign the petition for the name change at Change.org.