Barcelona extends Nike sponsorship

Nike Inc. and Spanish Barcelona have agreed to extend their sponsorship five more years. The deal is believed to be worth EUR 150 million plus bonuses and royalties.

With the contract, Nike will be linked to the club until 2013. The agreement includes providing club uniforms and has a rider that if both parties agree, the deal can extend to 2018.

Barcelona has star player Ronaldinho on its roster.

"The agreement is an international recognition for success of the club on the pitch and for its social commitment," said Joan Laporta, club president.

"We especially appreciate the effort that Nike has made and will continue to make towards positioning FCB as 'more than a club," Barcelona, who beat England Arsenal in last year's Champions League Finals, have made wide spread commitments to Nike. The club agreed to promote UNICEF, to support the U.N. Millennium Development Goals and UNICEF activities. This deal is for five years as well."

Nike Inc. President and CEO Mark Parker praised Barcelona beyond a normal sponsor-club relationship.

"Our long-term relationships with top football clubs such as Barcelona deepens our global leadership in the world's most popular sport and strengthens our growth opportunities as the No. 1 football brand," Parker said.

Barcelona jerseys, which are sold in over 50 countries, are one of the best selling jerseys in the world according to Nike.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.