Barcelona "remains the footballing world’s number one, at least when it comes to sponsorship deals," according to Josh Noble of the FINANCIAL TIMES.
The club signed a new 10-year kit agreement with Nike last month, which it expects to bring in €150M-€155M ($170M-$176M) annually, compared with the current €60M ($79.5M). When the arrangement takes effect in '18, it will be football’s "most lucrative shirt deal ever," far outstripping ManU’s £75M ($109M)-a-year agreement with adidas.
Barcelona "also soon expects to become the world’s top club for on-shirt advertising as well." ManU holds that honor through its £47M ($68M)-a-year contract with U.S. carmaker Chevrolet. Barcelona Marketing Head Manel Arroyo said that the Catalan club is in “advanced talks” with several companies. Arroyo attributes Barcelona’s commercial success "to a number of factors, not least its success on the pitch." Despite Champions League disappointment, it won both La Liga and the Copa Del Rey, Spain’s two domestic competitions. He said, "We are the best football team in the world, so naturally we would look to do the best deals." Aside from Nike and Qatar Airways, the club’s main partners, Barcelona lists a further five “Premium Partners,” 10 “Official Partners,” and 23 so-called “Regional Partners.” Revenue from “marketing” -- principally sponsorship -- rose by a third in the '14-15 season to €225M ($256M), the most recent for which figures are available (FT, 6/3).
