FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made a decision on potentially breaking the club’s 26-year relationship with kit sponsor NikeNKE according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.
Barca and Nike have been together since 1998, with the Oregon-founded sports apparel giant producing some of the Catalans’ most iconic Blaugrana shirts over the past few decades.
Over the course of this season, however, there have been reports about Barca looking elsewhere for its next clothing sponsor feeling that it is underpaid by Nike.
Nike’s American rival New Balance registered interest in possibly snatching Barca away according to SPORT, but German brand Puma has emerged as the most likely frontrunner to get the La Liga holders’ contract if they really were to part ways with the company known worldwide for its swoosh.
Last week, MARCA reported that financially-challenged Barca could receive an immediate $240 million (€220 million) cash injection by going with Puma.
This would be made up of a $109 million (€100 million) signing on fee and then $130 million (€120 million) a year for as long as the first contract between Barca and Puma lasts.
At present, Nike pays Barca a much-inferior $93 million a year with a further $21.8 million possible in add-ons that are considered to be “very volatile” because of their difficulty in being obtained. Furthermore, penalties can also be forthcoming if certain objectives aren’t met according to MARCA.
SPORT reports that the Barca board is split on what to do. At the same time president Laporta “believes that the opportunity has arrived to open a new stage after more than two decades of links with the American company”, one board member was in favor of continuing the Nike relationship because of the top brand’s global presence.
Another suggested Barca trying to operate for a year without any sponsor, as others saw it within the club’s best interests to partner with a smaller brand and take a bigger cut of sales given that a 125th anniversary shirt is on the horizon.
Above all, though, it is Laporta who has the final word and he also had plenty of backers.
Nike has reportedly improved its offer to get closer in line with Puma’s but this did not change Laporta’s stance and actually served for Puma to also up the ante.
By securing a more lucrative arrangement with Puma, and overseeing the opening of the renovated Camp Nou, Laporta will strengthen his profile going into the next presidential election a couple of years down the line.
