The strict penalties FC Barcelona is subjected to by its kit sponsor Nike have been revealed by SPORT.
The two parties have worked together since 1998, but could be on the verge of splitting up.
Last month, Barca president Joan Laporta revealed that the club terminated a contract that was renewed in 2016, in the belief that the sportswear giant had breached it.
“We told Nike that, based on some breaches that for us were flagrant, we were terminating the contract,” Laporta explained on his podcast.
“They had 45 days to compensate us, but they didn’t do it and we communicated that the contract was terminated, to which they responded with precautionary measures that we have responded to and now we are seeing the solution to these measures.”
“They have tried to improve the contract, but they have made efforts that are not enough because we know that the market pays more,” continued Laporta, whose club has been linked to Nike’s German rival Puma.
“In this sense we are civilized, and working 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 secure the best contract,” Laporta insisted.
MARCA previously explained that Nike pays the Catalans a fixed $93 million (€85 million) a season with a further $21.8 million (€20 million) possible in variables considered by the club to be “very volatile” because they are difficult to achieve.
Penalties can also be meted out if certain objectives aren’t met, and SPORT has shed light on them.
If Barca doesn’t win La Liga, as it didn’t from 2019 to 2023, 5% is deducted from the money it is due to recieve from Nike.
Should they fail to reach the Champions League semifinals, which hasn’t been done since 2019 but is a possibility this term, a 10% deduction applies.
Failing to qualify for the UCL is even costlier, with 30% of the money forfeited.
And if Barca were to miss out on European football altogether, there is a 60% penalty that must be taken on the chin.
Considering these factors, it is easy to see why Barca is so keen to get out of its contract with Nike.