Barcelona have announced a new multi-year partnership with kit supplier Nike.
The deal continues an association between the Spanish club and American sports brand that dates back to 1998. The new agreement comes into force this season.
Nike’s previous deal with Barcelona had been due to expire in 2028, having announced a 10-year contract in 2016 which came into force in 2018.
However The Athletic reported in March the club were considering alternative options, including manufacturing their own kit, with the club’s financial problems leading them to explore other potential brands in the industry.
The club’s relationship with Nike experienced a rough patch and was described by club president Joan Laporta as “not ideal”. Several scenarios were considered, which included trying to negotiate their deal with Nike, or exiting the deal early and taking up a new arrangement with a different supplier.
Barcelona say the new deal “consolidates Nike as a main partner of the club and official technical partner across all professional and amateur teams, bringing a unique model that strengthens the brands association and fuels the global retail and licensing business growth.”
Barca’s previous deal with Nike was struck in May 2016, with the club having won the treble that season with a forward line of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. The deal was worth an initial €105million a year (£88.8m; $112.3m at current rates), plus a possible €50m in add-ons.
Barca have won 12 La Liga titles and the Champions League on 12 occasions while wearing a Nike branded kit. The club has also established itself as a dominant force in the women’s game, winning three Women’s Champions League titles and Liga F nine times.
A club statement added that together with Nike “they have shared a deep commitment to innovation, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence, both on and off the pitch and experience extraordinary football in four different decades”.
(David Ramos/Getty Images)
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