FC Barcelona, the Spanish football giant, is reportedly on the verge of breaking its ties with American kit sponsor Nike. According to SPORT, the Catalan club intends to manufacture its kits under its own brand. If true it is an uncommon decision by Barcelona president Joan Laporta, given the club’s relationship with Nike since 1998.
Throughout the course of these more than 25 years, both sides have frequently extended their contracts and maintained their partnership, which is regarded as one of the most profitable in sports.
Barcelona has started looking for Nike alternatives due to their long-standing dissatisfaction with the US-based company. Puma has shown a significant desire to take the place of Nike, offering Barca more than 100 million euros fixed every season, which is more than the roughly 85 million euros they currently get from Nike.
🚨 Barcelona are about to make a historic decision — The club is set to terminate its contract with Nike and create Barça’s OWN brand to manufacture the jerseys. This will mean that the club will be sponsor itself and keep 100% of the profits.
(Source: @SPORT) pic.twitter.com/wMu4u9reLd
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 29, 2024
Hummel was also linked to the club as well. But there’s still a third choice. A few weeks ago, club president Joan Laporta stated in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC1 that he wanted to build his brand.
According to the SPORT report, March will be a key month in terms of the outcome of this situation. If Nike agrees to Barcelona’s demands, the partnership will last until 2028, when the present deal between the two expires.