Nike vs Puma! Are Barcelona Playing Kit Manufacturer Game in Bid to Get Best Possible Deal?
Barcelona finds themselves at a crossroads in their kit manufacturing saga, with talks underway with both Nike and Puma as they seek the best possible deal.
Having maintained a longstanding partnership with Nike, which began over two decades ago, Barcelona’s current contract with the American sportswear giant is set to continue until 2026, with the option of a two-year extension.
However, dissatisfaction with the terms of their agreement has prompted Barcelona to explore alternatives, with discussions suggesting a potential switch to Puma.
Initial reports indicated that Barcelona was close to securing a lucrative €200 million-per-year deal with Puma, but negotiations have hit a snag amid accusations of strategic manoeuvring.
According to SPORT, Puma accuses Barcelona of leveraging their interest to extract a better offer from Nike, casting doubt on the sincerity of their negotiations.
While Puma was prepared to proceed pending the resolution of any contractual entanglements with Nike, concerns have arisen regarding Barcelona’s intentions.
Recent developments suggest Barcelona may ultimately opt to extend their partnership with Nike beyond 2028, potentially securing advanced income to support ongoing stadium redevelopment efforts.
As the negotiations unfold, Barcelona faces the challenge of balancing financial stability with the pursuit of an optimal kit manufacturing agreement.
