Puma is making an assertive push for Barcelona jersey sponsorship, aiming to outfit the Catalan club currently partnered with Nike, who has seen better days in their collaboration. Barcelona has started to attract significant attention for its jersey sponsorship, and lately, Puma has been the most determined suitor, as Mundo Deportivo has learned.
Sources from the Blaugrana club, when asked by this publication, have opted not to comment on what they describe as “a complicated matter,” without denying Puma’s keen interest in becoming the next to outfit Barça, potentially ousting Nike. Nevertheless, the German brand’s intent to associate with the Catalan club has already reached the locker room, with some suggesting that the 2025-26 season jersey might already bear the Puma brand, while logistical reasons dictate that the 2024-25 season will still see Nike kits.
FC Barcelona’s Nike Partnership: A Lucrative Deal with Uncertain Future
The Blaugrana club’s contract with American multinational Nike runs until 2028, guaranteeing 105 million euros in fixed income plus another 50 million euros in possible variables. The partnership, which dates back to 1998 under the presidency of Josep Lluís Núñez, has been highly profitable. However, for various reasons, this relationship has become increasingly strained over the past few seasons.
Recent seasons have seen issues like stock shortages of Barcelona’s first-team jerseys in various sizes at retail outlets, and in 2020, the Vapor Stadium model’s jerseys could not be sold in July because the garments were fading.
Frictions Points
These incidents have resulted in financial setbacks for the club in terms of lost revenue. Furthermore, towards the end of Bartomeu’s presidency, the club initiated legal actions against Nike for several disagreements, including alleged contract breaches by the multinational, as claimed by the then club executives responsible for Barcelona Licensing and Merchandising (BLM), the division related to the manufacturing and sale of officially licensed FC Barcelona products.
Tensions have also been fueled by post-pandemic differing visions: Barcelona and Nike disagree on the payment terms, with the former seeking higher payments due to better offers from other brands, and the latter wanting to renegotiate for lower payments.
Barcelona Jersey Ambitions: Puma’s Pursuit to Dress Barça
Puma is on the offensive to acquire the Barcelona jersey rights, with aspirations to kit out the celebrated club that is currently experiencing a strained relationship with Nike. Barcelona is attracting significant interest for their jersey sponsorship, and Puma is the one applying the most pressure as of late. According to sources familiar with the club’s dealings, Puma’s eagerness to replace Nike as Barcelona’s kit supplier has been a topic of complex discussions within the club, with officials opting not to comment on the sensitive negotiations.
Puma’s Mega Bid: FC Barcelona’s Jersey Sponsorship Deal Worth €200m+ Per Season!
Puma’s proposal to secure the coveted position as FC Barcelona’s jersey sponsor comes with a staggering offer of approximately €200 million per season, and with various performance-related variables, it could skyrocket to an eye-watering €300 million. This potential agreement is poised to rewrite the history books, marking it as the most substantial sponsorship deal ever seen in the world of sports.
The Barcelona jersey leads in football jersey sponsorships, securing the most profitable deal with an annual income of €105 million. However, in terms of sheer monetary value, they’ve always been in the shadow of Manchester United, who penned a colossal 900 million pound deal with Adidas from 2025 to 2035, translating to an annual €104 million in euros.
Taking the third spot is Real Madrid, thanks to their 2015-2025 agreement with Adidas, fetching them a cool €98 million annually. The fourth position belongs to Arsenal, with their 2022-2030 deal with Adidas, raking in €87 million per year. And making it into the top five, Puma made its mark with Manchester City, securing a €65 million annual sponsorship deal from 2019 to 2029.
Now, Puma is poised to make a leap for the top spot, as their offer for FC Barcelona’s jersey sponsorship deal could potentially double the annual amount when compared to the second-place contender. With this bold move, Puma has a shot at securing the coveted first place in the world of football jersey sponsorships for a long time to come.
Barcelona Jersey Shake-Up: New Balance Makes a Play
Reports suggest that FC Barcelona is in talks with New Balance, as reported by the local newspaper Diario Sport. Allegedly, the Blaugrana board is unsatisfied with their current kit supplier, Nike, and is actively exploring alternative options.
Despite boasting one of the most potentially lucrative kit deals in football, figures such as Joan Laporta and other team executives believe that the club is not getting its true worth. New Balance has emerged as one of the interested brands aiming to replace Nike.
New Balance has its sights set on soccer as it seeks to expand its brand presence. The company has recently inked a new partnership with São Paulo FC and secured the signing of young Brazilian talent Endrick, who is set to join Real Madrid in the summer of 2024.
Purchase Your Official Barcelona Jersey Today
Get the latest official Barcelona jersey, featuring new signings Joao Felix and Vitor Roque, directly from the FC Barcelona online store. Visit FCBarcelona.com now to select your favorite!
Puma’s Playbook: Expanding Its Footprint in the Football Arena
Puma’s strategy in the football world is unmistakably aggressive. Alongside their incredible high bid for the Barcelona jersey sponsorship, they’ve landed significant blows to Nike. A prime example is snagging Neymar’s cleats sponsorship in 2020, a move that shifted the star from Nike to sporting Puma cleats on the field.
It’s a pity Neymar has to miss Copa America 2024 due to a serious injury, depriving fans of seeing him in action in his Puma gear.