Barça and Nike’s 26-year marriage in danger

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hit out against the the Oregon sportswear brand: “In times of difficulty, they have not been on our side.” Puma or an in-house brand are possible alternatives.

The possibility of the Puma logo adorning the iconic FC Barcelona jersey could be a reality in the not so distant future. Club president Joan Laporta has been happy to air his discontent with Nike in recent months and despite a deal in place with the Oregon giants that runs to 2028, on Friday speaking to Catalan radio outlet RAC 1, he pulled no punches in attacking the brand with the swoosh.

“The relationship and operation has been deteriorating, we are talking to Nike because we have had a relationship for more than twenty years together but in times of difficulty, our sportswear partner has not shown up. They have to now make an effort and we are at the point where we want to find the best mutually suitable possible solution.”

Amid rumours that Puma are on standby should the Nike deal fold, Laporta alos left the door open to Barça manufacturing their own clothing line. “There are three options open: continue with Nike, look at what is available in the market and there is a third way, which would be to do it ourselves, through BLM (Barça Licensing & Merchandising).

We have not ruled out the possibility of creating the Barça brand. In fact, we are already doing our ‘mono-branding’ because the limitations that Nike places on us at times are not acceptable. We also have our own e-commerce… Nike has been a partner for many years, but the time has come to redirect the situation.”