Barcelona's 2016 Ordinary General Assembly saw the approval of the one-year extension to the sponsorship agreement with Qatar Airways, after the presentation made by Marketing VP Manel Arroyo and following the opinions of delegates. The vote saw a result of 483 votes in favor of the extension, while 251 voted against and 60 voted blank. Arroyo defended the contract extension with Qatar Airways through June by saying that it will give "more time to work and negotiate the sponsorship agreement that the Club desires." Arroyo explained that the club is negotiating for another sponsor but that it is not a straightforward process, saying, "They are difficult negotiations, with multinational brands and over significant amounts which range between €50 and €65 million ($54.9M-$71.4M)." Delegate members also approved the renewal and extension of the sponsorship agreement with Nike, which was set to end in 2018 and has now been extended by 10 years -- the initial five and then five more which are extendable -- until June 30, 2028. That vote saw 584 in favor, 10 against and nine blank (Barcelona).
RENOVATIONS MAY BE DELAYED: MUNDO DEPORTIVO reported Barcelona Economic VP Susana Monje announced that renovations to Camp Nou will "not begin" until the club's debt is less than €200M ($220M). That "figure currently stands" at €271M ($298M), meaning work "will be delayed." Monje: "We still do not have the financing plan covered. The naming rights of the stadium have to be available, and as long as they are not, we will not begin" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 10/31).
