March 23, (THEWILL)- Barcelona President Joan Laporta has announced the club’s intention to terminate their longstanding kit deal with Nike.
In a recent podcast appearance, Laporta cited “flagrant breaches” of their current contract as the catalyst for exploring superior options. Despite granting Nike a 45-day window to improve terms, their efforts have fallen short of market expectations.
Laporta emphasised Barcelona’s status as the team with the highest shirt sales globally, necessitating a contract commensurate with their enormous commercial appeal.
“We are working to have the best equipment supplier contract in the world,” he stated. The club has received “very interesting offers” from competitors vying for the coveted partnership.
Interestingly, Laporta revealed an ambitious third option: establishing Barcelona’s own in-house clothing line and distribution network through their merchandising arm, BLM. While acknowledging potential technological challenges, he dismissed the idea as far-fetched, citing BLM’s comprehensive market knowledge.
The situation underscores Barcelona’s determination to maximise their financial might, aligning with Laporta’s responsibility to secure the “best contract” for the club. Negotiations are proceeding “in a civilised manner,” with all options under consideration.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
