A delegation of La Liga execs headed by President Javier Tebas "has held talks with Qatari emissaries to negotiate a possible deal in which the Persian Gulf state would become the division’s main sponsor" ahead of the '16-17 season, according to Llorens & Jiménez of AS. The "reason both parties are in discussions boils down to a breakdown in negotiations" between Barcelona and Qatar Airways. Importantly, La Liga and Barça "cannot share the same sponsor." Sources at the Catalan club said that the meetings between La Liga officials and the Qataris "are being monitored but are regarded as mere scare tactics by the latter," in an attempt to pressure Barcelona "into agreeing to their terms." La Liga has "spent months looking for a new main sponsor" after news broke in September that "BBVA’s reign as the Spanish top-flight’s official sponsor would be coming to an end" in June. Tebas has stated that, "rather than just money," La Liga is "more interested in teaming up with a global brand to increase the exposure of Spanish football." Meanwhile, Qatar Airways is "still mulling over the possibility" of extending its relationship with Barcelona. While Barça has "stronger ties with the gulf state," La Liga Qatar is now a "real possibility." It is "difficult to decipher which party is closer to making a deal" (AS, 5/11). In London, Peter Jenson reported after negotiations between Barcelona and Qatar Airways to extend the deal and raise the annual payment to £47M ($68M) broke down last year "there has been little progress made." Barça has "already given the order to Nike to start making their shirts for next season without a sponsor while hoping that eventually they can reach an agreement with Qatar" (DAILY MAIL, 5/11).
