As a brand and entity, FC Barcelona continues to remain one of the sport’s biggest. Within the footballing world, very few names compete at the level that La Blaugrana does as a brand. However, in recent times, there has been a falling out of sorts between Barcelona and a long-term partner.
Nike, the American brand responsible for having provided Barcelona with their kits since many years already, is no longer the partner Barcelona reportedly want to continue with. In their eyes, this partnership does not reward the Catalan giants adequately enough given how much higher they value their own brand.
In steps Puma, consequently, as the German brand looks to take over. However, to understand why exactly Puma has a chance of overtaking Nike to become Barça’s newest technical sponsor, Mundo Deportivo highlights the details of their respective deals and offers.
From Nike, the annual income that Barcelona receives is speculated as being €66 million. This amount used to be higher in the past, by almost €10 million, but it has since been reduced due to Barça’s inability to win important silverware that was integral to their partnership generating as much as it did back then.
Puma, on the other hand, are ready to go above and beyond. Their current offer would see Barcelona receive €100 million as their annual payment, an amount that can potentially rise to €120 million if a certain number of kits are sold. Moreover, they are also willing to give Barcelona an additional €100 million as a straight signing bonus.
With offerings such as these, it becomes easy to see why Nike continues to fall behind. Puma provides Barcelona with an offer that is far more irrefutable than the one Nike has thus been giving to them, and the valuation of Barcelona that the German brand sees is much closer to how the Catalan club views themselves compared to what Nike is willing to value Barça as.
Thus far, no details have been confirmed nor have any deals been signed. However, it seems that the weeks right after Easter will be crucial in terms of where exactly the future of the Barcelona brand lies. For now, however, Nike and Barcelona continue down this path of an uneasy relationship.
