FC Barcelona has an offer on the table from a rival to kit sponsor NikeNKE which could be worth an immediate $240 million (€220 million) according to MARCA, which cited anonymous sources.
The Barca board led by president Joan Laporta is currently exploring its options elsewhere in terms of who makes its iconic Blaugrana jersey and provides training gear and related apparel which boasts the club’s crest.
Barca has been with Nike since 1998, but feels that it is underpaid by the Oregon sportswear behemoth, SPORT previously reported.
MARCA explains that Nike pays the Catalans a fixed $93 million (€85 million) a year with another $21.8 million (€20 million) possible in variables that are considered “very volatile” because they are difficult to achieve with penalties also possible if certain objectives aren’t met.
Barca has even thought about making its own shirts under its Barca Licencising & Merchandising arm but has reportedly thrown that idea out.
SPORT previously reported that New Balance could have been a possible third party that broke up the Nike and Barca partnership.
In recent weeks, however, Puma has emerged as a frontrunner and has allegedly tabled sums that could tempt Laporta.
MARCA reports that the German firm that also sponsors Manchester City and Neymar is willing to offer a $109.5 million (€100 million) signing bonus and then $131.4 million (€120 million) a year for supplying Barca’s kits and clothing.
Barca has a contract with Nike until 2028 which Laporta has previously said he believes the company has breached.
“We have some concerns and a situation that is not what we wanted. The operation has been deteriorating, we think they have breached the contract,” Laporta said on RAC1, while pointing out that “the market’ could pay Barca “double” elsewhere.
MARCA says that Barca wants to make a decision shortly and is waiting for Nike “to make a final offer”.
What has thus far been put forward does not exceed what it currently pays Barca, which might in the end push the La Liga holders away.
After all, Barca is still recovering from a economic crisis, and must raise funds in any way it can to return to the 1:1 rule under Financial Fair Play limits.
