High tension between Barça and its technical sponsor, Nike. After months of disagreements, this Saturday it was learned that the club and the American firm have taken their differences to court. Barcelona's goal of obtaining the highest contract on the market has led the board to "resolve its commitment" to Nike, either with the desire to achieve an increase in the current contract or to permanently break ties and change brands.
For some time now, Barça, through president Laporta, has been vocalizing its discontent with Nike, which it accuses of failing to comply with different parts of the current contract. This has led the club to express that it wants to end professional ties with Nike after a 26-year relationship.
“We gave them 45 days to compensate us for this breach, which did not occur and we communicated that the contract was terminated. "They responded with precautionary measures, to which we have responded, and we will see the evolution of these precautionary measures to know where we are," Laporta explained this Saturday in 'The Podcast of President Joan Laporta', a video interview broadcast by Barça Studios.
The president does not say that they have broken up with Nike but it cannot be hidden that it is a measure to put pressure on the North American brand. “Nike has made efforts to improve the contract, but they are not enough,” argued the president. Barça handles an offer from Puma, with which it also encourages Nike. “We know what the market pays,” Laporta insisted. It shouldn't take long for Barça to make a decision but there is no deadline set for it. “The deadline is set by the negotiations we have,” he concluded.
The normal thing is that next season's shirt will not change its design since by now manufacturing should have already begun. It is a special shirt that can break sales ceilings, since it is the one for the club's 125th anniversary.
Beyond Puma, Barça, and Laporta has said this on different occasions, could also decide to manufacture its own clothing, with the collaboration of a manufacturer. The contract between Barça and Nike expires on June 30, 2028. "In this sense, we are working in a civilized manner, with all the options we have. We are convinced that we will have the best contract in the world. We are open to everything, but "We cannot have a contract much lower than what the market pays. It is our responsibility as executive directors of the club to get the best contract," explained Laporta, who added: "The easy thing would be to continue with Nike with a contract below the market, but “Sometimes what is easy is not what is best for the club,” he explained.
In the same podcast Laporta revealed that the club has rejected an offer of 200 million for Lamine Yamal.
