La Liga giants Barcelona have on Saturday at long last announced an agreement on the terms of a new contract with kit manufacturer Nike.
The subject of the long-running negotiations between Barca and Nike had of course reemerged front and centre in the headlines in Spain’s capital over the last 24 hours.
This came after widespread confirmation was forthcoming that an announcement – regarding a renewal between the parties – was imminent.
And, as alluded to above, on Saturday, precisely as much has come to the fore online.
As per a statement across Barcelona’s website and social media platforms, ‘a new collaborative strategic partnership’ has been agreed, expected to run all the way through the summer of 2038:
‘FC Barcelona and Nike, two leading brands in the sport industry, are pleased to announce a new start with a multi-year partnership agreement, starting effective this season, that brings a new collaborative strategic partnership model between the two organizations.
‘This new partnership 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. Nike has a key strategic role in the Club’s Retail Operations and together with Barça Licensing & Merchandising will join forces in the development of specific plans related to product creation, supply chain and global distribution.
‘FC Barcelona and Nike signed their first sponsorship agreement in 1998 and together 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 in which the Club has won 4 Champions Leagues, 12 league titles, 7 Copas del Rey, 3 World Club Cups, 3 European Super Cups amongst others. For their part, the Barça Women’s team have consolidated their position as a leader in women’s football, winning 9 league titles, 3 Champions Leagues and 9 Copas de la Reina in this span. In the Club’s four other professional teams, Barça has won 58 leagues, 25 European Cups, 47 Copas del Rey amongst others.’
Conor Laird – GSFN
