The new West Ham away jersey was released to hostile public reception. Made by Umbro for 2023-24 Premier League, it has received flak for promoting the betting sponsors Betway at the cost of even the club’s badge.
The launch happened in a London art studio near the original Thames Ironworks, featuring stars like Saïd Benrahma. West Ham United and shirt sponsors Betway have been working together since 2015 and the brand logo features on the front of all the Club’s senior teams’ playing shirts and training wear.
This has also earned public ire as Premier League teams voted to voluntarily to remove gambling sponsorship from their match day shirts in 2026/27. The unanimous decision was welcomed by the fans and the governing authorities alike. The UK government is also expected to publish a white paper on gambling regulation with a proposal for future legislation.
Currently, seven clubs in the league have betting companies as shirt sponsors, including West Ham United (Betway) and Everton (Stake.com). Newcastle United recently changed their betting sponsors Fun88 for Sela, a Saudi Arabian events and experiences organisation
The away kit features a classic all-white design with subtle hints of claret and blue on the collar and cuffs. The Club’s crest and the Umbro logo on the away shirt are both iridescent and have been overshadowed by a giant Betway logo in the centre.
Post launch there has been a barrage of negative comments –
It'll still attract young people to gamble online, it should come into effect immediately
I like a whiteout/blackout etc, but essentially taking away the badge and manufacturer logo, and making a betting sponsor centre stage is awful. https://t.co/wMSn3oJ9G6
— Mike Keay – Footie Shirtz (@FootieShirtz) July 22, 2023
Insult not showing the crest in all it's glory, if you can't see it why have it 📷 & that applies to all those horrible 'black out' allegedly 'trendy' shirts
