There are two big things happening that will change a lot for the better for Barcelona in the future: – The newly renovated Camp Nou will be ready with greater capacity and greater income in March next year and Nike have extended and expanded their shirt deal.
Barcelona has signed what president Joan Laporta claims is the “best deal in the history of a football club”. At the club’s general meeting, the Blaugrana ratified an agreement with Nike that will see the Camp Nou side sponsored by the sportswear giant until 2038.
The deal was announced as far back as November 8 and has been presented as a deal that could completely transform the future of the club, which has been plagued by financial difficulties in recent seasons.
Laporta has done nothing to tone down expectations.
“It’s the best financial deal in the history of the sport for teamwear,” he said, quoted by Mundo Deportivo. “Thank you to Nike for understanding the strength and greatness of Barca in the world of sport.
“We feel strong and determined to restore the club in all areas. This will help the economic recovery and confirms that things are moving in the right direction.
“It is an agreement without the members having to dig into their own pockets, without jeopardizing the ownership of the club.”
Barcelona’s turnaround almost complete
Laporta underlined how his relationship with Nike has evolved since his return to the presidency in March 2021.
“When we arrived, our relationship with Nike didn’t go through the best of times. It was subject to legal proceedings and it was a point of mutual distrust,” he said.
“The old agreement was outdated and needed updating. Now the payments are on the rise, seen in the present, but also in the medium term. The agreement frees up commercial assets that we did not have before.
“This helps with FFP with regard to La Liga’s requirements.”
Barcelona are dreaming of making a big summer signing, a deal for Manchester City’s Erling Braut Haaland potentially unlocked by this deal, while Laporta is trying to pull another important financial lever to help the situation move forward.
Barcelona need to have at least 200 million euros to secure and pay Erling Braut Haaland.
