Barcelona are looking to pull off a new world record kit deal that could almost double the value of their existing contract with long-term partners Nike.
Nike have produced Barcelona kits since 1998 and the two have become synonymous as a pair in the sporting world. But the current contract between them, signed in 2016, ends in 2028 and there are growing suggestions that a renewal may not happen.
It has opened the door for Barcelona to explore other options as they look ahead to maximise the revenue stream at a time when Nike appear to be cutting costs. As well as job losses in the company, a number of star players have taken up endorsements with rival brands in recent months, including Harry Kane and Jack Grealish. Tiger Woods and Roger Federer are also no longer Nike athletes.
Barcelona could end up doing the same, with SPORT reporting that negotiations with Puma are in progress. The Catalans could even get their wishes of a deal worth a guaranteed €200m (£171m) per season, and possibly up to €300m (£257m) each year if add-ons are met.
Barcelona’s existing Nike deal is thought to bring them €105m (£90m) every season, compared to €120m (£103m) that Real Madrid pocket from their adidas agreement.
In addition to Puma, reports in Spain have suggested that Danish firm Hummel, who make Everton and Southampton kits at club level as well as more famously the Denmark national team, is a surprise ‘Plan B’ for Barca. There have also been New Balance links, while president Joan Laporta has even alluded to the possibility of the club making and selling its own kits, which is a rare but not completely unheard of route. It is not, however, something that elite clubs usually do because of how lucrative partnerships with established brands, which are essentially licensing deals, can be.
Laporta recently accused Nike of not doing enough for the club and being in breach of their contract.
“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,” he told RAC1.
“We are talking to Nike. In times of difficulty, they have not shown themselves. In words, yes. When we have shown our teeth, they have made the effort but it is not enough.
“It is at this point that we want to find the best solution. There are three options: continue with them, accept what the market gives us, or do it ourselves through BLM [Barca Licensing & Merchandising].”
