The long-standing relationship between Nike and Barcelona, valid until 2028, could be in danger. Since 1998, the American brand has been the supplier of the Catalan club’s shirts. However, according to reports in the Spanish press, Puma has emerged as a prominent player to manufacture Barça’s clothing and is offering a large amount of money to become the priority.
The German brand, which currently has at Manchester City As a big bet in the world of football, he signed a contract with the City Group until 2029 worth 650 million pounds, that is, 65 million per year.
What Barcelona would receive would be even greater. The figure agreed between Nike and Barça Until 2028 it ranges from a minimum of 105 million fixed euros per season to a historical maximum of 155 million, depending on variables. However, the truth is that only 66 million, between fixed and variables, correspond to sponsorship income.
Nike remains calm for now, since there are clauses that would not allow the contract with Barcelona to be broken so easily.
At the top of the Barça club, some managers consider the current contract with Nike insufficient, raising the possibility of seeking an early exit before 2028. According to Spanish journalistic sources, the union between Barça and Puma could begin in the 2025/26 season. although the possibility of advancing this process is being considered.
Odds
Last Monday Barcelona released a strange statement denying a potential design for an alternative shirt for the 2024-25 season. The shirt in question was black with red and blue accents, from Nike of course. Despite the constant leaks, with successes and errors, Barcelona had never worried about it. This can be read in two ways: that the club has done it to pressure Nike to give up on that design, or is it that the relationship between the club and the American brand is really deteriorated beyond return.
On the other hand, that Puma being able to actually break the current Nike contract is unlikely, firstly because Nike already has Barcelona’s 2024-25 season clothing ready., which has to be commercialized due to cost. And second, Nike has several clauses in the contract with Barça where it protects itself from possible early breakups by competitors. He could even go to the European court and win there, without Puma being able to do anything
Since the ’90s, Barcelona was dressed by three brands: Meyba, a Catalan brand that was there between 1982 and 1992. Kappa, the well-known Italian brand, between 1992 and 1998. And Nike, since 1998, which took the clothing to another level.
Uncertainty surrounds the future of the alliance between Barça and Nike, as Puma emerges as a key player on the sporting scene.
Source: Ambito
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