The president of Barcelona gives details of the agreement between Nike and VIP seats

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has defended his handling of Nike’s new sponsorship deal and the decision to sell the rights to market 475 VIP seats to investors in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The two operations were carried out with the aim of allowing the club to sign Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, but Laporta assures that they would have been carried out anyway.

Laporta explained that Barcelona delayed signing the deal with Nike in the summer to get a better deal and said the American sportswear brand gave up an additional €300 million just a few months later.

“We were hoping to sign Olmo to a contract with Nike. Unfortunately, during this period Christensen was injured. The League confirmed it and we took advantage of the situation to sign him. Thanks to Nike, we have a solid treasure that no one else has. “We didn’t sign with Nike in the summer because we could have improved it, and that’s what happened.”

“We are talking about a difference of 300 million euros. Now we will earn triple what we earned with the previous contract. When Ter Stegen was injured, the legal department interpreted that the savings on his salary would allow them to sign Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. We fought for it but they did not accept our claims. Then we continue with Nike and La Liga, approved by the assembly.”

After explaining the calendar that led to the dismissal of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor on January 1, Laporta also detailed the VIP seats that have been sold so that the club is once again within its salary limit, and without additional spending restrictions. in what they contribute.

“The League considered that the contract with Nike was not new, so we considered that we could appeal as with Gavi, but the court did not agree with us. Then we activated a new product, which we have been working on since February 2024, which is the marketing of VIP seats. We have given away 475 and we have a portion left. It is very attractive for investors. “We have found two investors to achieve fair play.”

He confirmed that the VIP seating deal was worth around €100 million and explained the origin of the investors, but did not reveal their names.

“The operation would have gone ahead regardless of the salary limit. We are very happy to create a new product. Barça will receive 300 million euros and, in addition, 100 million euros for the right to market these locations. They manage the places with the risk and benefit that this implies. We have not invented it, the product works in the US. We have adapted it to Barça, which is more beneficial than what American funds offer under other conditions that do not impact fair play.”

After his impressive performance in the Spanish Super Cup, Alejandro Balde firmly defends his return to the Spanish team. @xavierbosch

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 14, 2025

“We have adapted it to enter fair play. There is an investor from Qatar, who invested 30 million euros for the investment accredited by La Liga. The other comes from the United Arab Emirates, 70 million euros. The 40 million had to be credited and they did not arrive until December 31 because the bank transfer did not arrive. The rule does not say that the money must be credited, but La Liga required it. Part of it could not be accredited until day 3, but everything was presented in a timely manner.”

In the past, Laporta has been accused of mortgaging Barcelona’s future with contracts that sell future assets, affecting his future income. The Blaugrana president has defended that accusation, citing the club’s “critical” financial situation when he returned to power.