La Liga club FC Barcelona and Puma are on the brink of penning a historic kit sponsorship deal in principle that will pay the Catalans approximately $216 million a season (€200 million), according to SPORT. The latest development came after negotiations between the two parties intensified over the past few weeks.
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If the agreement is successful, it could be the most profitable kit sponsorship deal in the history of football. A minimum annual budget of $124.5 million will be allocated to the project, but the budget can be increased to a maximum of $216 million, subject to a number of conditions.
One major obstacle, however, stands in the way of any agreement between Barcelona and Puma. As things stand, the La Liga giants have an existing contract with Nike.
Since 1998, Nike has provided Barca with shirts and kits. The Oregon-based sportswear giant currently pays the Catalans at least $114.75m per term, which can range as high as $169m depending on various factors. There is expected to be a major tug of war between Nike and Puma to retain Barcelona’s lucrative partnership.