NFL, Int'l Soccer Club FC Barcelona To Promote Each Other

The NFL and FC Barcelona, "one of the premier soccer teams in the world," have agreed to a three-year partnership in which the NFL "will promote the team in [the U.S.] and the club will promote the NFL and NFL Europe in Spain," according to George Solomon of the WASHINGTON POST, who notes the partnership includes FC Barcelona playing two games in the U.S. at NFL stadiums. The NFL-FC Barcelona deal includes: Both organizations having the right to use each other's trademarks in promotional work; the NFL introducing FC Barcelona to NFL sponsors and corporate partners "to provide advice" on broadcasting, sponsorships and licensing; exploring additional games in the U.S. involving FC Barcelona after '02; and the NFL Europe Barcelona Dragons changing their name to FC Barcelona Dragons and playing in Barcelona's 17,999-seat mini-stadium in April. Barcelona's main stadium holds about 110,000. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the partnership "was broached a year ago but really began with a relationship with FC Barcelona 10 years ago. We're doing this as part of the growing globalization of sports." MLS Commissioner Don Garber said that he was aware of the deal and hoped he and MLS "could be involved in some way." But Tagliabue said that the NFL "was more interested in expanding the league's presence in Europe" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/31). The FINANCIAL TIMES' Tom O'Sullivan writes the deal is "a bid to boost the gridiron game in Europe." No money will change hands between the NFL and FC Barcelona, and each side views the deal "as an opportunity to exploit the strength of the other in its own market." NFL Int'l VP/Planning & Development Alistair Kirkwood said that the NFL had spoken to other soccer clubs in Germany and the Netherlands, where it also has teams, and "may strike more deals" if the Barcelona link is successful (FINANCIAL TIMES, 1/31).