Latest news with #kitlaunch
New York Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Ozzy Osbourne: The rock star of Aston who said goodbye at Villa Park
If Aston Villa were going to use his music for their new kit launch video, Ozzy Osbourne wanted to be in it. 'We were approached in mid-late June,' his wife, Sharon Osbourne, told The Athletic in 2024. 'The pitch was that this was the first time Adidas was designing a kit for Aston Villa. Did Ozzy want to be involved? What a silly question.' Advertisement 'I was born in Aston and spent my childhood watching carloads of people going to the Villa football matches,' Ozzy added. Homeground, the creative agency Adidas entrusted with launching Villa's home kit last season, had approached Black Sabbath and their frontman, Ozzy Osbourne. They asked if they could use their song Paranoid, the club's previous walkout song that thumped around Villa Park every game before being replaced by Osbourne's Crazy Train. The band's team replied with one condition: 'If you're going to use it, they would really like to be in it.' 'Ozzy was very honoured to be asked to be included, especially with Geezer (Butler, Black Sabbath's bassist),' Sharon said. 'I went to Hollywood to see Ozzy and he was great,' Charlie Parker, creative director at Homeground, added. 'He is not as big a Villa fan as Geezer but he was saying how he used to live closer to the stadium than Geezer. He was talking about how he used to get paid to wash people's cars outside of Villa Park as a teenager. 'Deep down, Ozzy was doing it because he knew how much it would mean to Geezer. He told this amazing story about Sharon Osbourne's dad being the manager of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Geezer walked in one day and Ozzy was playing an ELO vinyl. Geezer went mental and said, 'You can't play that because they're Blue Noses, Birmingham fans'.' The kit reveal was an astonishing success. In the first three days, it was watched 6.5million times on Instagram, surpassing other Adidas teams including Manchester United (4.8m), Newcastle United (3.7m) and Arsenal (1.7m). Parker led the video but the Osbournes put their own touches onto the shoot. It was Sharon's idea to feature their dog, Bugsy, in a Villa kit. 'It just so happens Bugsy's a Villa fan,' said Ozzy. 'He should be the team's lucky mascot. I mostly stuck to the script, but I Ozzy-fied a few lines.' On Tuesday, Osbourne died at the age of 76. News of his passing prompted a wave of tributes from across the globe, with Birmingham — where he was born and raised, the city that shaped him into a rock star — paying its respects. That evening, Black Sabbath's music could be heard as fans congregated by the band's mural close to Birmingham New Street railway station. Less than 400 yards away, others made their way to The Crown pub, known as the 'birthplace of heavy metal' and the venue where Black Sabbath played their first gig. The pub is closed but as a Grade II-listed building, it will not be knocked down — especially with pictures and paintings of Black Sabbath plastered on the walls outside. It did not take long for bouquets and messages to be left on the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Street. His roots lay in the Midlands, and Osbourne was a son of Birmingham. He was the fourth of six children and was born in Marston Green hospital. His father, John, was a toolmaker and Lillian, his mother, a factory worker. They lived in a cramped two-bedroom house at 14 Lodge Road in Aston, a 10-minute walk from Villa Park. Advertisement Osbourne and Black Sabbath transcended into superstardom and he spent most of his life outside Birmingham, but no one — especially not Osbourne himself — forgot where he came from. 'The Prince of Darkness' kept his gentle Brummie accent and remained an immense source of pride for locals and Villa supporters. In January, a large tifo of Osbourne (top picture) cascaded from on top of the Holte End at Villa Park before the 4-2 win against Celtic in the Champions League. He was always heard inside the stadium whenever Crazy Train played as the players emerged from the tunnel — but now he was seen. In reality, it felt inevitable that Osbourne's final public outing and concert came at Villa Park, 17 days before his death. The most fitting farewell in front of 45,000 enchanted fans, clad in black for the heavy metal gig. Repeatedly, Osbourne had announced his retirement, even as early as 1992 when he named a set of live dates as the No More Tours tour and then once again in 2018. Yet the pull of one more show at Villa Park, organised by his wife Sharon, who carried out interviews beforehand in a Villa shirt, and joined by a star-studded cast that included Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, was the appropriate goodbye. 'I was working as an artist liaison at the show, ensuring everyone had everything they needed,' Liam Howard tells The Athletic. 'The more I got to know some of my heroes, the more I caught on to something: they were as in awe of this event as anybody else. For these artists who have played to millions of people and sold millions of records, it was like none of that mattered in that moment. They were about to play on stage with Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne at Villa Park — back where it all began alongside people they grew up listening to and being inspired by. 'They all saw it as an honour to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event, as much as the fans and the staff and anybody else watching at home. It felt like this huge community gathering more than a gig, with Villa Park being the heavy metal HQ. 'As myself and a few others made space for Birmingham's most iconic madman as he passed us by backstage, he took the time to acknowledge every one of us with a smile and a thumbs up. A brief interaction, but one that epitomised just how cool and down to earth he was.' Osbourne performed five songs on his own and four more with Black Sabbath, comprising the original band members and reuniting for the first time in two decades. 'His passion for Birmingham is something I've never seen before,' says Tarik Simsek, who attended the concert. 'He even teared up a bit, which got us all emotional too. It was a special moment for everyone. Despite his age, he moved around with so much passion, belting out his classics. His voice was a bit raspy but full of that raw energy we all loved.' A clearly fragile Osbourne was determined. He moved as much as he could while sitting on a bat-shaped throne, having lived with Parkinson's disease in the latter part of his life. Ozzy Forever! — BlackSabbath (@BlackSabbath) July 22, 2025 'Aston Villa, it's so good to be on this stage,' Osbourne roared. 'I've been laid up for, like, f***ing six years, and you've no idea how I feel.' 'There wasn't a dry eye in the house for Mama I'm Coming Home and not one head left unbanged for Paranoid,' says Howard. 'He was unbelievable,' says Kieron Murphy, who watched in the crowd. 'I knew he was ill, so for him to do two sets was amazing to witness. We were all part of music history. He was and will always be a force of nature and the godfather of metal.' Advertisement Osbourne meant something to Birmingham and Villa. When the season begins, Crazy Train will be sung even louder and take on even greater meaning. 'It was the greatest day of my life,' says Murphy. 'Ozzy and Black Sabbath have shaped me. My grandad was from Aston and told me stories of waiting for his mum to finish work at the factory. Ozzy would be there as a teenager waiting for his mother, too. Black Sabbath came from Aston, Birmingham. We are free to love and embrace their legacy at my club, Aston Villa.'
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Snoop Dogg hints at possible investment in former Premier League club as he launches new kit
SNOOP DOGG has appeared in Swansea City's new kit launch and looks set for an even bigger role with the club. The 53-year-old rapper was the surprise face of the Swans' 2025-26 home shirt campaign on social media. 3 3 3 In a short video, Snoop said: "Hail to Wales and to Swansea City. It's your boy big Snoop Dogg. "Coming to a hood near you. Oh yeah, these are the new jerseys." Swansea's American owners have now suggested the link-up with the Drop It Like It's Hot star may not end with just the kit campaign. A club statement read: 'We appreciate the considerable interest and enthusiasm generated by Snoop Dogg's appearance in a Swansea City shirt. 'While we are not in a position to share specifics with you all just yet, we will be able to provide more details soon and we're excited about what's to come.' Snoop posted about the kit online to his followers, who total more than 100million. Madrid star Luka Modric becoming a co-owner in April. Their US-based ownership group, led by Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen, have made no secret of their ambition to grow the club's brand internationally as they push for success on the pitch. The Swans finished 11th in the Championship last season but they would have been comforted by the relegation of rivals Cardiff City, who finished bottom of the Championship. They will now hope that the off-field investment can lead to a return to the Premier League after a seven-year absence.
BreakingNews.ie
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Snoop Dogg unveils Swansea kit in playful dig at Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds
American rapper Snoop Dogg has unveiled Swansea's new kit with the Welsh club taking a playful dig at Wrexham's Hollywood owner, Ryan Reynolds. Deadpool actor Reynolds responded to Wrexham's own kit launch this week by posting a picture of himself on Instagram wearing the latest shirt while holding a dog. Advertisement Reynolds wrote: 'Been waiting a year for this kit to make its debut – and it did not disappoint. Coming to a hood near you 👀🦢 #YJB — Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) July 12, 2025 'Available NOW in the Wrexham online store. Link in stories. Dog not included.' Swansea reacted to their Welsh rivals by turning to another famous face for their kit unveiling ahead of the 2025-26 season, posting on X: 'Dogg included @SnoopDogg. 'Nuthin' But A Wales Thang, the Jacks are ready. We're the Pride of Wales.' Advertisement In a video posted later, Snoop said: 'Hail to Wales and to Swansea City. It's your boy, big Snoop Dogg. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds) 'Coming to a hood near you. Oh yeah, these are the new jerseys.' West Coast rapper and record producer Snoop Dogg is a keen sports fan and worked as a correspondent for NBC at the Paris Olympics last year. Snoop also carried the Olympic torch in the closing stages of the relay. Advertisement The 53-year-old has previously spoken of investing in Celtic – similar to the involvement of Reynolds and his fellow actor Rob McElhenney at Wrexham – and been pictured in the kits of various English clubs in recent years. Swansea and Wrexham will be rivals in the Championship this season following the Red Dragons' three successive promotions under their Hollywood owners. Hereeeeee we go 👊🏿👀 @SwansOfficial — Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) July 12, 2025 It is the first time Wrexham have been in the second tier of English football since 1982. While Reynolds and McElhenney have entertained some of the biggest names in Hollywood at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground in recent years, Swansea have their own touch of glamour in South Wales. Advertisement Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, who has just left Real Madrid after 13 seasons with the Spanish giants, invested in Swansea three months ago to become a minority owner at the club.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Crystal Palace fans are all saying the same thing about Eberechi Eze after club's new kit launch amid Arsenal interest
Crystal Palace fans have been left all saying the same thing on the back of the club's new kit launch. Palace are the latest side to reveal their new strip, with a number of players donning the new blue and red shirt with an added embroilment of white on the sleeves. The likes of Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton were all involved in the launch, but one notable name was absent. That is the name of Eberechi Eze, who has been subject to stern interest from Arsenal as the Gunners look to build a squad that can once again challenge for the Champions League. Mikel Arteta 's side are yet to submit an official bid for the player but appear braced to do so as pre-season for the 2025-26 campaign draws ever closer. Now, with the forward absent from the promotional photos of the new kit launch, fans were quick to notice as they flooded to social media to make their feelings known. Fans, though, were quick to point out that Eberechi Eze was not involved in the launch 'No Eze speaks volumes,' one fan wrote, accompanied by thumbs down and crying emojis. 'No Eze in this kit announcement?' another wrote, while a third posted: 'No Eze' alongside an eyes emoji. It comes as reports surface that Eze will not take part in Crystal Palace's friendly against Millwall on Saturday due to Arsenal's interest. They may have some hope, though, given Guehi and Mateta have also been linked with moves away. Eze, whose winning goal in the FA Cup final saw Palace clinch their first-ever major trophy, has played the majority of his minutes for the Eagles in a central position but he is also comfortable on the left. Last term, he scored eight goals and registered eight assists in the Premier League as Oliver Glasner's men secured a 12th-place finish. Palace, were kicked out of the Europa League on Friday amid multi-club ownership issues. An issue arose when it became clear John Textor, who also owned shares in French side Lyon, was also involved with Crystal Palace and had not settled the issue by March's deadline. Textor rushed to sell his shares, but the deadline had well passed, and the decision has now been made to not allow the Premier League side to take part next season - instead, they have been demoted to the Conference League. There was hope for Palace when Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial issues, but their appeal was successful and they will play in the Europa League because they finished higher in their respective league than Palace - who came 12th in the English top flight.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Toluca unveil their new kit
Toluca unveil their new kit Toluca presented its new uniform for the 2025-2026 season, paying tribute to the club's most recent championship. Under the slogan 'Forged for Glory', the jersey celebrates the eleventh star of 'Los Diablos Rojos'. Advertisement The home jersey maintains the traditional scarlet color with metallic gold details that represent 'triumph, resilience, and greatness'. Additionally, the logos are 3D-embossed for greater texture and visual contrast. The away uniform bets on elegance: white base with gold finishes and red and gray gradients. Its design is inspired by the architecture of the Nemesio Diez Stadium, a symbol of the club. A limited-edition commemorative star with the team's 11 cups was also launched. It can only be acquired at the stadium store, showing the purchase ticket of the new jersey. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
