Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Barcelona, Nike, Football, PUMA, Joan Laporta
Ryan Smart
Barcelona are reportedly considering a key decision around their current sponsors Nike that could have a seismic effect on football.
The American giants are currently Barca's main kit sponsor, having most recently signed a contract in 2016 that runs out in 2028.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, the agreement nets Barca a minimum yearly sum of €105 million, up to a maximum of €169 million depending on whether various incentives are met.
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However, it is also reported that only €66 million of this is related to sponsorship income.
Now, according to Sport, Barca are considering cutting ties with a company that has been involved with the club's kits since 1998.
It is claimed that one option is for the Spanish giants to have their own brand of shirts, which is said to be 'looking like a winner' at this stage.
The report adds that Barca would consider partnering with a 'large multinational' that would manufacture and distribute the shirts.
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There are also claims that Puma have offered a fixed sum of €100 million per year, although club president Joan Laporta has publicly refused to confirm any talks with the German corporation.
Speaking in February about the deal with Nike, Laporta told Spanish outlet RAC1: "It is at this point that we want to find the best solution.
"There are three options: Continue with them [Nike], accept what the market gives us, or do it ourselves through BLM [Barca Licensing & Merchandising]."
Should Barca decide to proceed with their own company for their kits moving forward, they would be one of the first known elite-level clubs to do so.
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Were the move to end up being successful, it could see other clubs following suit - which would therefore potentially see the landscape of kit sponsorship in football changing forever.
On the pitch, meanwhile, Barca are currently eight points behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga with 13 games to play in Xavi's final season as manager.